posting
03-16-2010, 09:23 PM
COUNCIL GRADES: KINGSTON CITY COUNCILLORS ARE NOW INTO THE FINAL YEAR OF THEIR MANDATE.
CKWS-TV March 16, 2010
http://www.ckwstv.com/index.cfm?page=news&id=2130
IN FACT, JUST 7 MONTHS TO GO UNTIL THE NEXT CIVIC ELECTION.
((Hutchins))
THIS TERM WAS LENGTHENED TO FOUR YEARS TO GIVE LOCAL COUNCILS MORE TIME TO MAKE DECISIONS.
BUT WHAT HAVE THEY REALLY ACCOMPLISHED IN THAT TIME?
WE DECIDED TO ZERO IN ON A FEW ISSUES TO SEE WHAT POLITICIANS DID AT KINGSTON CITY HALL.
PKG
" I WILL TRULY FAITHFULLY...."
HARVEY ROSEN'S NARROW MARGIN OF VICTORY IN 2006 WAS A FAR CRY FROM HIS LANDSLIDE WIN THREE YEARS EARLIER.
"MY DOOR WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS."
ROSEN IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO MEND POLITICAL FENCES WITH A SERIES OF NEW PRIORITIES IN HIS INAUGURAL SPEECH.
AMONG THEM -- CREATING A POVERTY TASK FORCE WITH A MANDATE TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE MORE HELP FOR THE WORKING POOR.
THE MAYOR SAYS IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL TAXPAYERS TO SHOULDER ALL OF THE SOCIAL COSTS BECAUSE SENIOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING REMAINS UNPREDICTABLE.
HARVEY ROSEN/MAYOR
"AND WE'RE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG AND CARRYING THE AGENCIES FOR SOME BRIDGING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO ALLOW THEM TO FIND ALTERNATE FUNDING.
WE'RE THE BAD GUYS BECAUSE THE PROVINCE CHANGES THE CRITERIA AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT OF OUR MAKING."
STILL, THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS SAY THEY'VE MADE IMPORTANT STRIDES TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING - WOMAN AT PODIUM:
"I'M LUCKY THEY CHOSE ME TO LIVE HERE.
I FINALLY HAVE A HOME OF MY OWN THAT I'VE NEVER HAD."
THE CITY HAS NOT MET THE TARGET OF CREATING 100 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS EVERY YEAR.
BUT IT'S CLOSE.
ANOTHER INITIATIVE IN THIS TERM -- PROVIDING MUNICIPAL SUBSIDIES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO AFFORD TRANSIT AND RECREATION PROGRAMS.
VICKI SCHMOLKA/ COUNCILLOR:
"SO WE'VE REALLY TRIED TO DO WHAT THE CITY CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING RIGHT AT THE EDGE."
THIS COUNCIL HAS ALSO PUT NEIGHBOURHOOD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT -- LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
FROM TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES SUCH AS SPEED HUMPS .... TO OPENING NEW SPLASH PADS, LIKE THIS ONE IN CITY PARK.
THERE ARE NEW LEASH FREE ZONES SO DOG OWNERS CAN LET THEIR PETS RUN FREE IN A HANDFUL OF PARKS.
IT'S SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY HAS WANTED FOR YEARS.
THE LITTLE THINGS, ACCORDING TO THIS LONG TIME COUNCIL WATCHER, HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
HELEN FINLEY/ COUNCIL WATCHER:
"A SPLASH PAD.
THAT MAY NOT SEEM VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT IF YOU GO AND WATCH PEOPLE AT THE SPLASH PAD IT'S FANTASTIC."
HELEN FINLEY WORKED IN THE MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION FIELD FOR 20 YEARS, IN FAMILY COURTS AND LABOUR MANAGEMENT.
SHE ALSO TAKES A KEEN INTEREST IN MUNICIPAL BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY HERITAGE PROTECTION, PLANNING AND SOCIAL ISSUES.... SINCE MOVING TO KINGSTON IN 1963.
FINLEY GIVES HIGH MARKS TO THIS COUNCIL WHEN IT COMES TO ARTS FUNDING, DEVELOPING ATTRACTIVE PARKS AND HELPING THE WORKING POOR.
FINLEY:
"BUT I GET THE FEELING THINGS ARE TURNING AROUND"
PART OF THE REASON THEY'VE ALL FALLING ON THIS COUNCIL IS THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DONE FOR YEARS.
SO THERE'S BEEN I THINK A NEGLECT BY PAST COUNCILS OR AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS."
ADDING TO THE LIST OF THIS COUNCIL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE NEW 5 MILLION DOLLAR CALVIN PARK LIBRARY BRANCH THAT OPENED A YEAR AGO....
ALONG WITH NEW SOCCER FIELDS AND A SOON TO BE BUILT TRACK AND FIELD TO REPLACE THE ONE AT RICHARDSON STADIUM.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING WHAT IT HAS -- THE CITY IS BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO RECREATION FACILITIES... LIKE THE WALLY ELMER ARENA.
IT'S NOT JUST FOR SKATING ANYMORE.
"IT STARTED OUT AS A YOUTH CENTRE AND IT'S GOING BACK TO ONE AND THAT'S GREAT."
THE NORTH END FACILITY NOW OFFERS FLOOR SPORTS, YOGA, DANCE CLASSES AND VIDEO GAMES.
ANOTHER CORNERSTONE ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS COUNCIL -- THE EARLY PHASES OF A 30 MILLION DOLLAR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSTON MEMORIAL CENTRE.
THE UGLY CHAIN LINK FENCE HAS COME DOWN... REPLACED WITH MORE INVITING ENTRANCE WAYS.
THE LEO LAFLEUR POOL WILL BE BEING RIPPED OUT THIS YEAR, AND REPLACED WITH A NEW OUTDOOR AQUATIC CENTRE.
LANIE HURDLE/ RECREATION DIRECTOR:
IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE A CHANGE FOR THAT NEIGHBOURHOOD.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING QUITE SOME TIME TO SEE SOME THINGS MOVING ON THIS SITE."
AND WHAT MANY CALL THE JEWEL OF KINGSTON PARKS IS GETTING SOME POLISH.
LAKE ONTARIO PARK IS ABOUT TO GET A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE WITH AN OUTDOOR PAVILION, EXPANSIVE CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND AND FISHING AREA.
HUTCHINS STANDUP:
" WITH SO MUCH ON THE GO, YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING HOW THE CITY CAN AFFORD IT ALL.
... ESPECIALLY SINCE PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECLINING IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
NO ONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT
THE ANSWER -- GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE TAX MONEY ALLOWS THE CITY TO PAY OFF OLD DEBTS BEFORE TAKING ON SOME NEW ONE'S.
IT'S KNOWN AS THE 'PAY AS YOU GO' PHILOSOPHY
JUST LIKE ANY RESIDENT, CITY HALL IS TRYING TO SPEND WITHIN ITS MEANS.
FROM WHAT HELEN FINLEY HAS SEEN, THE MUNICIPAL CREDIT CARD IS NOT BEING MAXED OUT.
FINLEY:
"I DO THINK THE FINANCES OF THE CITY ARE EXTREMELY WELL MANAGED"
" CITY ADMINISTRATION IS REALLY TO BE PATTED ON THE BACK."
SO A LOT OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND POLICIES ARE FLOWING FROM THIS COUNCIL.
BUT SOME TOUGH CHOICES HAVE BEEN MADE ALONG THE WAY.... LIKE REMOVING THE OFF-LEASH AREA FROM LAKE ONTARIO PARK.
CONSISTENTLY CITY COUNCIL DISREGARDS WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS.
ROB MATHESON:
"THIS IS THE ULTIMATE IN POOPER SCOOPER POLITICS"
FOUR YEARS IS THE LONGEST COUNCIL TERM EVER.
SOME BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL COULD'VE ACCOMPLISHED EVEN MORE, IF NOT FOR THE POLITICAL FIGHTING THAT SEEMS TO DOMINATE EVERY MEETING.
STEVE GARRISON:
" IN THE BRIEF TIME I'VE HAD TO READ IT YES.
IT DOESN'T PROVIDE WITH THE DECOMMISSIONING OF HAROLD HARVEY ARENA..."
THIS COUNCIL NOW APPEARS TO BE IN A RACE TO TIE UP SOME IMPORTANT LOOSE ENDS.
FOR SOME, IT SEEMS THE OCTOBER ELECTION CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.
BILL HUTCHINS, CKWS NEWSWATCH KINGSTON
CKWS-TV March 16, 2010
http://www.ckwstv.com/index.cfm?page=news&id=2130
IN FACT, JUST 7 MONTHS TO GO UNTIL THE NEXT CIVIC ELECTION.
((Hutchins))
THIS TERM WAS LENGTHENED TO FOUR YEARS TO GIVE LOCAL COUNCILS MORE TIME TO MAKE DECISIONS.
BUT WHAT HAVE THEY REALLY ACCOMPLISHED IN THAT TIME?
WE DECIDED TO ZERO IN ON A FEW ISSUES TO SEE WHAT POLITICIANS DID AT KINGSTON CITY HALL.
PKG
" I WILL TRULY FAITHFULLY...."
HARVEY ROSEN'S NARROW MARGIN OF VICTORY IN 2006 WAS A FAR CRY FROM HIS LANDSLIDE WIN THREE YEARS EARLIER.
"MY DOOR WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS."
ROSEN IMMEDIATELY SET OUT TO MEND POLITICAL FENCES WITH A SERIES OF NEW PRIORITIES IN HIS INAUGURAL SPEECH.
AMONG THEM -- CREATING A POVERTY TASK FORCE WITH A MANDATE TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE MORE HELP FOR THE WORKING POOR.
THE MAYOR SAYS IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL TAXPAYERS TO SHOULDER ALL OF THE SOCIAL COSTS BECAUSE SENIOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING REMAINS UNPREDICTABLE.
HARVEY ROSEN/MAYOR
"AND WE'RE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG AND CARRYING THE AGENCIES FOR SOME BRIDGING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO ALLOW THEM TO FIND ALTERNATE FUNDING.
WE'RE THE BAD GUYS BECAUSE THE PROVINCE CHANGES THE CRITERIA AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT OF OUR MAKING."
STILL, THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS SAY THEY'VE MADE IMPORTANT STRIDES TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING - WOMAN AT PODIUM:
"I'M LUCKY THEY CHOSE ME TO LIVE HERE.
I FINALLY HAVE A HOME OF MY OWN THAT I'VE NEVER HAD."
THE CITY HAS NOT MET THE TARGET OF CREATING 100 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS EVERY YEAR.
BUT IT'S CLOSE.
ANOTHER INITIATIVE IN THIS TERM -- PROVIDING MUNICIPAL SUBSIDIES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO AFFORD TRANSIT AND RECREATION PROGRAMS.
VICKI SCHMOLKA/ COUNCILLOR:
"SO WE'VE REALLY TRIED TO DO WHAT THE CITY CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING RIGHT AT THE EDGE."
THIS COUNCIL HAS ALSO PUT NEIGHBOURHOOD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT -- LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
FROM TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES SUCH AS SPEED HUMPS .... TO OPENING NEW SPLASH PADS, LIKE THIS ONE IN CITY PARK.
THERE ARE NEW LEASH FREE ZONES SO DOG OWNERS CAN LET THEIR PETS RUN FREE IN A HANDFUL OF PARKS.
IT'S SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY HAS WANTED FOR YEARS.
THE LITTLE THINGS, ACCORDING TO THIS LONG TIME COUNCIL WATCHER, HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
HELEN FINLEY/ COUNCIL WATCHER:
"A SPLASH PAD.
THAT MAY NOT SEEM VERY IMPORTANT.
BUT IF YOU GO AND WATCH PEOPLE AT THE SPLASH PAD IT'S FANTASTIC."
HELEN FINLEY WORKED IN THE MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION FIELD FOR 20 YEARS, IN FAMILY COURTS AND LABOUR MANAGEMENT.
SHE ALSO TAKES A KEEN INTEREST IN MUNICIPAL BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY HERITAGE PROTECTION, PLANNING AND SOCIAL ISSUES.... SINCE MOVING TO KINGSTON IN 1963.
FINLEY GIVES HIGH MARKS TO THIS COUNCIL WHEN IT COMES TO ARTS FUNDING, DEVELOPING ATTRACTIVE PARKS AND HELPING THE WORKING POOR.
FINLEY:
"BUT I GET THE FEELING THINGS ARE TURNING AROUND"
PART OF THE REASON THEY'VE ALL FALLING ON THIS COUNCIL IS THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DONE FOR YEARS.
SO THERE'S BEEN I THINK A NEGLECT BY PAST COUNCILS OR AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS."
ADDING TO THE LIST OF THIS COUNCIL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE NEW 5 MILLION DOLLAR CALVIN PARK LIBRARY BRANCH THAT OPENED A YEAR AGO....
ALONG WITH NEW SOCCER FIELDS AND A SOON TO BE BUILT TRACK AND FIELD TO REPLACE THE ONE AT RICHARDSON STADIUM.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING WHAT IT HAS -- THE CITY IS BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO RECREATION FACILITIES... LIKE THE WALLY ELMER ARENA.
IT'S NOT JUST FOR SKATING ANYMORE.
"IT STARTED OUT AS A YOUTH CENTRE AND IT'S GOING BACK TO ONE AND THAT'S GREAT."
THE NORTH END FACILITY NOW OFFERS FLOOR SPORTS, YOGA, DANCE CLASSES AND VIDEO GAMES.
ANOTHER CORNERSTONE ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS COUNCIL -- THE EARLY PHASES OF A 30 MILLION DOLLAR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSTON MEMORIAL CENTRE.
THE UGLY CHAIN LINK FENCE HAS COME DOWN... REPLACED WITH MORE INVITING ENTRANCE WAYS.
THE LEO LAFLEUR POOL WILL BE BEING RIPPED OUT THIS YEAR, AND REPLACED WITH A NEW OUTDOOR AQUATIC CENTRE.
LANIE HURDLE/ RECREATION DIRECTOR:
IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE A CHANGE FOR THAT NEIGHBOURHOOD.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING QUITE SOME TIME TO SEE SOME THINGS MOVING ON THIS SITE."
AND WHAT MANY CALL THE JEWEL OF KINGSTON PARKS IS GETTING SOME POLISH.
LAKE ONTARIO PARK IS ABOUT TO GET A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE WITH AN OUTDOOR PAVILION, EXPANSIVE CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND AND FISHING AREA.
HUTCHINS STANDUP:
" WITH SO MUCH ON THE GO, YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING HOW THE CITY CAN AFFORD IT ALL.
... ESPECIALLY SINCE PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECLINING IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
NO ONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT
THE ANSWER -- GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE TAX MONEY ALLOWS THE CITY TO PAY OFF OLD DEBTS BEFORE TAKING ON SOME NEW ONE'S.
IT'S KNOWN AS THE 'PAY AS YOU GO' PHILOSOPHY
JUST LIKE ANY RESIDENT, CITY HALL IS TRYING TO SPEND WITHIN ITS MEANS.
FROM WHAT HELEN FINLEY HAS SEEN, THE MUNICIPAL CREDIT CARD IS NOT BEING MAXED OUT.
FINLEY:
"I DO THINK THE FINANCES OF THE CITY ARE EXTREMELY WELL MANAGED"
" CITY ADMINISTRATION IS REALLY TO BE PATTED ON THE BACK."
SO A LOT OF POSITIVE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND POLICIES ARE FLOWING FROM THIS COUNCIL.
BUT SOME TOUGH CHOICES HAVE BEEN MADE ALONG THE WAY.... LIKE REMOVING THE OFF-LEASH AREA FROM LAKE ONTARIO PARK.
CONSISTENTLY CITY COUNCIL DISREGARDS WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS.
ROB MATHESON:
"THIS IS THE ULTIMATE IN POOPER SCOOPER POLITICS"
FOUR YEARS IS THE LONGEST COUNCIL TERM EVER.
SOME BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL COULD'VE ACCOMPLISHED EVEN MORE, IF NOT FOR THE POLITICAL FIGHTING THAT SEEMS TO DOMINATE EVERY MEETING.
STEVE GARRISON:
" IN THE BRIEF TIME I'VE HAD TO READ IT YES.
IT DOESN'T PROVIDE WITH THE DECOMMISSIONING OF HAROLD HARVEY ARENA..."
THIS COUNCIL NOW APPEARS TO BE IN A RACE TO TIE UP SOME IMPORTANT LOOSE ENDS.
FOR SOME, IT SEEMS THE OCTOBER ELECTION CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.
BILL HUTCHINS, CKWS NEWSWATCH KINGSTON