A little more than a year after the 2022 municipal election, BradfordToday reached out to the nine current members of Bradford West Gwillimbury council to ask them to reflect on their accomplishments and challenges so far, as well their priorities for the remainder of the term.
This is the third article in a five-part series that shares their responses. Today, they answer the following question: What would you say has been the greatest challenge so far?
Mayor James Leduc
The greatest challenge over the last year has been (and will continue to be) balancing the budgets for the term. Council understands the challenging financial times we are in paired with residents’ expectations for enhanced local services. As we move into budget deliberations in the new year, for the remainder of the term council will be challenged with minimally impacting tax bills while continuing to offer services that residents have become accustomed to, and enhancing other service areas that residents expect.
Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu
There (are) no challenges, just opportunities, and we as a council will continue to work through them to do what our residents have elected us to do — which is to work for them and be responsible with their hard-earned tax dollars.
Ward 1 Coun. Cheraldean Duhaney
The greatest challenge so far is working to address the increasing needs of the town while being mindful of the budgetary constraints.
Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott
It probably goes without saying that I was very frustrated by what transpired with the library strike, and I want that ongoing situation resolved as fairly as possible for our valued library workers, as soon as possible.
Ward 3 Coun. Ben Verkaik
Dealing with all the changes imposed by the province since the municipal election last year, such as Bill 23, reductions in development charges, mandated home-building targets, strong mayor powers, changes to the Heritage Act, etc. The list goes on and on and in many cases has actually slowed things down as we wait for the subsequent regulations and policies.
Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano
The negative experiences felt because of the unique library labour negotiations that was unfortunately compounding of the last few years and recently inherited by a newly appointed library board, and is still felt by many including brand new and long standing library employees. I’m confident that we are able to build back a better library experience for the staff, management and community of users and our future users.
Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine
The greatest challenge we have dealt with so far, and will continue dealing with for the remainder of the term, is the budget. Budget time is never easy (especially when inflation has gone so high which affects all projects and purchases), there are so many outside factors that affect our municipal budget and trying to keep it in line.
Attainable housing is a huge issue right across the province and we have been feeling it in our municipality. Council is working to help create new ideas or ways to achieve housing for our residents.
Ward 6 Coun. Nickolas Harper
Continuing to be held to Simcoe County’s increasing tax hikes that are unfair and unjust – this devalues all the work of lower-tier municipalities who are trying to give much-needed services to their residents. Simcoe County is a hack regional entity that needs reform. It has too many inequities and outdated guiding principles that do not make any common sense for Bradford. Simcoe County tax policies do not bode well for anyone living (here). We have the aptitude, depth and skill sets to manage some of the services (the county) offers. I know we could do a lot better job and show way more value at managing some aspects.
Ward 7 Coun. Peter Dykie
In 37 years of being a member of council, it is heartbreaking to see the labour relations issues with the public library. To see this beautiful facility closed for so long and knowing there still isn’t a resolution on both sides, it is truly a loss for the entire community.
The fourth part of this series, which will be released tomorrow (Nov. 9), will answer the following question: What is unique about this council compared to past Bradford West Gwillimbury councils?
If you missed the second part yesterday and want to know what each council members said was their greatest accomplishment as a group so far this term, you can read their responses here.
