ACCOMPLISHMENTS

It’s been a good year for Algonquin Highlands.

The biggest achievement is the anticipated relocation of the MNR Headquarters to the Stanhope Airport. After years of informal discussions between MNR and Township officials, we were thrilled to hold the first formal, open meeting on the subject.

This project is complicated, layered and sometimes confusing but thanks to CAO Angie Bird and Project Manager Mike Osborne we’re finding our way through the somewhat confounding  “chicken-and-egg” requirements of the municipality, the MNR and various related ministries.

This is a big project that’s taking an enormous amount of time to manage – it practically changes day by day! Its scope includes geotechnical investigations, topographic surveys, screening assessments, site preparation, an archaeological assessment, tree clearing, a reconfigured development plan, lease negotiations and, if all goes well, construction in 2013. Council has given permission to pursue limited next steps in order to get to a full costing of the project.

It’s anticipated that “the big reveal” will happen early in 2012 when there are enough confirmed details that Council can show the public what the project entails and how it will be funded.  A scope change application to the Build Canada Fund will be made and when that’s approved and a contract is signed with the MNR, Council will table a discussion about rescinding the decision to build a runway.

Changes to operations, a new Airport Manager and some excellent ideas for increased activity all point to revitalizing our great little airport!

More details on the year’s work with the MNR can be found on the Township’s website in an Information Release issued on November 8, 2011 (http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca > News > News and Events > scroll down to document).

As incoming Reeve, I brought along a list of more than 80 issues to tackle. Part of that list included governance discussions around things like policy review, reporting structure, terms of reference for committees and improved communication.

New CAO Angie Bird had her own list of changes and so we’ve had a year of what we call “housekeeping”. We’ve had significant success in this regard, and while the public wouldn’t have much reason to notice these changes, they may rest assured that all’s well.

The most notable administrative accomplishment for the Township was directing staff to aggressively pursue some $2 million in unsolved and long standing tax arrears. Thanks to Treasurer Tammy McKelvey and her staff we’ve put an end to some outrageous arrears, eliminated budgeting on false receivables, and vastly improved the Township’s financial position.

Another notable achievement has been in Fire Services, not only with the success of our new Training Officer Ryan Reesor, but also with moving through the Station 60 resignations of late in 2010, the ensuing “McCullough Report” and the implementation of that report’s recommendations.

A fire department is the backbone of the small community and this was an experience that affected many and was felt very deeply. The downside is that some remain hurt and angry about it. The upside is that Station 60 is doing extremely well and the whole department is stronger and more unified.

The first-ever amalgamated Awards Dinner was held in December. Almost 50 firefighters were in their new station wear, the hall was decorated, award recipients were humbled and honoured, people cheered – and there were even a couple of standing ovations.

Finally, it’s definitely worth noting the success of the new team at Algonquin Highlands. After almost two years of staff disruptions, new faces and changes in political and administrative leadership, the municipality is in a position to face the future with confidence. The new Council works well together and our staff is outstanding.

CHALLENGES

Our biggest (and most exciting) challenge will be finding our way through the somewhat confounding  “chicken-and-egg” requirements of the MNR relocation.

Our most frustrating challenge will remain septage and the lagoon.

Our most interesting (and potentially expensive) challenge will be undertaking a facilities analysis to address the Township’s extraordinary, and potentially unsafe, lack of space – and what the heck to do about it!

Of course challenges, like opportunities, tend to pop up unannounced, so it remains to be seen what else the year will hold for us.

LOOKING FORWARD

Looking ahead we’ll continue to streamline internal operations;continue to work with the MNR; start our provincially-funded Municipal Cultural Plan process; be involved in Doors Open for the first time; welcome a new Airport Manager; consider the role of an Economic Development Committee; support the work of the Dorset Community Partnership; continue to reach out to the folks at Oxtongue Lake; and finalize the investment of the HCDC’s $15,000 Community Capacity grant.  As this all unfolds, I’m looking forward to working with Council, members of staff and the public to continue the good works of Algonquin Highlands.

The three people in the county keen to hang on every word on my blog will have noticed that I haven’t shared too many words of late. It was my intention to create a blog that would make municipal government more accessible and less of a mystery. I would gleefully explain and describe the hows and the whys and everyone would be engaged and informed. That’s still it my intention … but you’ll have to bear with me.

You see, my head is on fire.

At the moment, there isn’t a day – including weekends, that I’m not at a meeting or three, a workshop, talking to someone way more important than me, taking notes, working with the CAO, taking calls, making calls or meeting folks for a coffee to discuss some idea or grievance. And then there’s the paper: reports, reviews, letters, attached documents, spreadsheets and approximately 300 acronyms that make no sense whatsoever.

Yes, yes, I signed up for the job. I knew the workload would increase and that the amount of reading for county council would be akin to forced labour. Ah, but I had an idea! Knowing this, and interested in providing some insight into the life of  the sinfully underpaid municipal politician, I posted a calendar on my website. People would see the number of meetings and events I was attending and it would do all local politicians a favour by enlightening the public. Yeah, well, it turns out I’m too busy to update the website calendar.

I also took the time to switch to Outlook Calendar from my paper calendar book that people often ridiculed – especially the little green cakes that represent birthdays. I have everything set up: red for Algonquin Highlands; dark blue for County; light blue for lake meetings; purple for personal things – and green for birthdays, of course.

Now this is a calendar I can keep updated and it’s just so bright and cheery to look at. And I can synchronize this calendar with The Device (Blackberry) I’ve been assigned – you know, that thing that goes “ba-ling!” about every 30 seconds all day and drives me insane. Yeah … turns out there is no more room on most of the days. And what’s worse, I’m all excited about an upcoming conference just so I can escape from my desk – yikes!

But fret not my friends and taxpayers. I’m not complaining; I’m adjusting.  I have a list of about 80 issues I’d like council to address. And the new council is keen to review and discuss all sorts of things. Staff, too, have some great ideas for consideration. It’s all good and there’s an interesting and exciting ride ahead; it’s just … super-crazy-busy.

So when you see me and I can’t remember your name or appear vague about your lake meeting six months from now, please don’t take offence. I’m committed to the job and am learning as fast as I can; it’s just that right now my head’s on fire and I have no bloggin’ time.

1. What do you foresee happening with waste management across the County? Is there a realistic alternative to the landfills?

Waste management will continue to generate much discussion due to limited options and competing needs. A recent study in British Columbia indicates that the human and environmental repercussions of incineration are too great for it to be the solution many have suggested.

The geology of the county and sheer cost each (and both) severely restrict the creation of new landfill sites and this suggests that our local solution lies in enhanced recycling efforts and increased education for re-use options. Recyling and re-use needs to become part of our human fabric, not something we have to do because a bylaw says so.

While some efficiencies in waste management have been found in collaboration among municipal public works departments, the county-wide Waste Management Committee of two years ago has lost its zeal and I’d like to discuss its revitalization.

2. The election confronted the issue of the need for a pool or new recreation facilities across the County. Moving forward, is this a priority? How could the changing demographic in the county – more and more seniors – impact this decision?

Good recreation opportunities are one of the keys to healthy and engaged communities and there’s no question that a pool complex has the potential to be a vital link in that development – for all ages.  However, since recreation is a lower-tier responsibility  the County can’t just step in and build a pool; it’s not that simple.

The issues to discuss are many including: location; jurisdiction; municipal user-pay options; fee structures for seniors and low-income families; funding; sustainability; transportation; and long-term viability. For as many people who want a pool complex there are as many who don’t. And for each solution found in the above list there will be created another series of challenges.

Like waste management, this issue will continue to generate much discussion and I look forward to being able to examine some options and opportunities.

3. Will high speed Internet become a reality for all of Haliburton County within this municipal term?

I sure hope so.

4. What are the priorities in economic development for your township – and what are the priorities across the county? What does the ‘creative economy’ mean to you?

Traditional economic development is difficult in a municipality like Algonquin Highlands where there’s no town, and only part of its two villages (Carnarvon and Dorset) are actually within the township’s boundaries – but that doesn’t mean there are no options!

Members of the new council campaigned on pausing to review the airport expansion and to examining its need, its viability, and its economic potential. What happens with (or to) the expansion project will unfold in the days to come but the development of opportunities at the airport is not wholly dependent on the expansion and there’s room for much discussion and exploration.

The Dorset Community Plan is a dynamic and multi-layered proposal that will take advantage of cross-jurisdictional funding and community opportunities to revitalize the village and its surrounding region through arts, heritage, tourism, and cooperation. The work to date is exciting and successful and shows great promise as a model for invigorating and mobilizing a community’s economy in a non-traditional manner.

The Creative Economy is a topic that confuses many people and has more than a handful of detractors. At its very core, the term refers to maintaining cultural vibrancy and economic strength through the and retention of a talented and creative workforce; through encouraging and fostering entrepreneurship; and in creating a sense of place that will attract businesses as opposed to building a call centre and then populating the community with time-clock employees.

I’m a firm supporter not only in the creative economy but also in the economic opportunities to be found in combining cultural planning, GIS technology and value-added components of our existing (and traditional) markets.

We also need to have regard for what happens when the current “silver tsunami” of seniors recedes with generational change. We need to ensure appropriate options for our aging population today that don’t limit us when that demography changes.

5. What is the future of the arts in Haliburton County?

The arts are alive and well in the Highlands and have the potential to contribute much more to the economy than they do. Unfortunately, many still scoff at the idea that artists contribute to the economy in a meaningful way because they don’t understand the breath and depth of it.

The arts is a major component of the creative economy and – according to the guest speaker at the HCDC’s annual dinner earlier this year, the concept has roots, growth, funding and, best of  all, the Highlands is already well into the thick of it.

The traditional silo markets of Tourism, Logging, Government, Services, Cottagers – and even the Airport, can all be part of a new way and creative way of seeing our community’s opportunities; we just have to learn how to do it and not be afraid of the word “arts”.

6. Do you think you will be able to hold the line on taxes for 2011?

Budgets are built to reflect the needs of a community and taxes are the way townships fund those needs. Hopefully the increased assessments will offset the tax rate but that remains to be seen in view of existing programs and plans. I believe each department head and each councillor, whether at the municipal level or the county level, will do their best to balance the necessary costs of running the township with everyone’s wish for reasonable taxes.

Interestingly, a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) included a comparison chart of municipal taxes across the province of Ontario. While none of the four municipalities of Haliburton County were included, you’ll see where your township stands if you know how much your taxes are per $100,000 of assessment. In terms of residential taxes, Algonquin Highlands is a pretty great place to live!

7. What are the priorities in social housing and affordable housing for your township and the county?

My priority for social and affordable housing is knowledge. I openly admitted my lack of knowledge on the issue at the Candidates’ Debate held on September 19^th and while I know we need options, I confess to remaining largely uninformed. I look forward to my new position on the county’s Joint Social and Housing Services Advisory Committee (JAC). Ask me this question a year from now!

8. Will tourism continue to be a major focus for the county? (ie: resorts?)

Tourism will, and should, continue to be a major focus for the county but the shape of that focus needs to change. The recent presentation at Pinestone by the new RTO referenced a variety of initiatives similar to those that were part of this county’s marketing plans in the early 2000s so I’m not sure what’s changed.

This issue is multi-faceted and complicated, like “the house that Jack built”. I believe that the integration of cultural planning, GIS, the creative economy, value-added elements and the community’s absolute rejection of the Geography of Nowhere is what will retain the value of the Highlands as a destination and help develop its economy. Most importantly, the County needs to develop a much better plan than it has now and then commit to long-term funding for it.

9. How can the townships work together more effectively for the common good of the county?

The townships should continue to enhance their existing good relationships to find economies of scale and purpose. Sharing human resources such as the County’s IT Manager and the recent four-way collaboration on a Blue Box Recycling Strategy are excellent examples of this. Some will argue for or against that these efforts are the first steps toward a one-tier government and this, too, is fodder for much discussion going forward.

10. Do you see a time when the townships will fully or partially amalgamate?

Yes.

As I thought about it, I realized I was fortunate to have been on a council that got along well and laughed a lot. As a group we were happy to sit and chat over coffee prior to the meeting’s start, catching up and sharing news:

“How’s your mum?” … “Did your daughter get that job?” … “How did that test in Peterborough turn out?”

I thought of stories from conferences that I can’t repeat; jokes at each other’s expense and getting so caught up in chatting that the reeve would have to round us up like dawdling kids and remind us we were there for a council meeting.

“We actually had a lot of fun,” I thought to myself.

Sure, we often rolled our eyes behind each other’s backs and disagreed to each other’s faces. I’ll even confess to once pressing SEND when I shouldn’t have and in doing so crossing the line between the issue and the individual. But that kind of thing was extremely rare.

There’s no denying the odd snarky comment; the polite buy icy glare; agreeing not to mention this subject to that person; or the inevitable claims of being driven crazy by someone. Let’s even concede to being pissed off on occasion.  I realized that despite any of that, however, this council actually liked and respected each other as people. In the big scheme, it was about the community, not about personalities.

“And that’s how it should be,” I thought to myself.

As a new councillor four years ago, I watched and listened to understand how councils work. Language, inflection, who flicks a glance at whom, when to say nothing, how to pick a battle, and the subtleties of delivering a delicate message (I’m still working on that one…). There’s an unseen energy around a council table as people monitor the tone, pauses and points of their colleagues.

“You have to pay close attention,” I thought to myself.

So four years vanished into the ether and there we were yesterday at the last meeting. There was a bit of jocularity in the air as those looking forward to their new lives anticipated the end of the meeting. The agenda wasn’t going to take us over lunch so the reeve invited everyone to have one last lunch together.

“The last supper,” I thought to myself (with the totally incongruent “So long, farewell” song from the Sound of Music echoing in my head…).

It was just like any other council day – until the reeve made a warm and sincere goodbye speech. And then desk drawers were emptied and then staff were all thanked and hugged. And then they were gone – just like that.

The full realization hit me when I returned to the council chambers to see that the only remaining nameplates were mine and the clerk’s, the others having quietly vanished. I recalled the children’s game of Farmer in the Dell where the last person remaining gets to be in charge of the next game.

“The cheese stands alone,” I thought to myself.

As the next reeve I look forward to helping build a new team for Algonquin Highlands but I’ll still miss these four and not only all that I learned from them but also all that I didn’t get to learn from them. Opinions and promises come and go but you simply cannot replace experience.

So to Eleanor, Tom, Don and Diane I offer my heartfelt thanks – for your knowledge, your dedication, your commitment and your patience. It’s a job that requires strength to withstand the scrutiny and stamina to stay the course.

I’m excited to be ushering in a new era for our community, and as I reflected on all of the above, along with the possibility of four brand new councillors and my list of 48 (and counting) issues that need addressing, I was reminded of an old TV commercial for breakfast cereal.

“Eat your Wheaties …”, I thought to myself.

Candidates are on pins and needles wondering if they and their teams are doing enough talking, phoning, visiting and proving that they’re the right person for the job.

Municipal staff wonders who will comprise the next council, what kind of changes there will be at the office and if everyone will get along.

Electors are consumed with both of the above. They compare candidates and trade stories. They eagerly chat about who said what, who was seen lunching with whom and what it all might mean. It’s all very exciting!

The downside of elections is some of what we’ve seen in this municipal election, the most disturbing of which, in my opinion, has been the name-calling.

It used to be that if you didn’t care for a candidate or their point of view you simply didn’t vote for them, probably advising your closest friends and cohorts of your reasons why. But it seems now that if you don’t care for someone or their point of view it’s acceptable to do and say whatever you want to stand in their way.

I’ve heard people say they “hate” candidates they’ve never met. I’ve heard people say they’ve told their friends not to support a candidate’s business or the business of a candidate’s wife or father. Suggestions become accusations; questions mean some game is afoot. Threats, backstabbing, lies – stop the madness!

The He Said/She Said that’s gone on is astounding. I need a program to follow along with who’s alleged to be consorting with whom for what reason – and that’s only for one week!

We all know that elections cause angst but in this year’s election I’ve seen and heard more than angst and the usual silly rumours; I’ve seen and heard outright animosity between candidates, their election teams, neighbours and communities. It’s as disappointing as it is amazing. Sadly, many find it entertaining.

Nothing that any municipal council is going to do in the next four years is going to change the axis of the earth. All we are is next set of stewards whose job it is to do the best they can for their communities.

So I hope that with the election (almost) over and the new teams decided, the angry blip of this campaign period will come to an end. Let’s take the high road and stop the ugly gossiping. We need to work with staff appropriately, play by the rules set out for us, conduct our business openly with the public and communicate it clearly. It ain’t rocket science…

Apparently to some folks, not taking part in a full-blown battle for a political seat is a bit of a gimme; akin to that sad look you give the kid who didn’t have a hope but still got a ribbon for participating.

To the majority of those who have run campaigns an acclamation is a godsend: no hammering signs, few speeches, no debates, no knocking on doors. Whew! most of them say. There are ego-boosting comments like, “Ah, they must have been afraid of you!” or “No one stood a chance against you…”.

And then there are those who feel you stole the job, like getting a seat on the board from your Uncle Fred. “Well, she didn’t really earn the position …,” they say over coffee, nodding as if they have the slightest clue what the job’s about. It’s pretty easy to chirp out comments as if local politics were a WWE match instead giving considered thought about exactly what all these people are stepping up to do, how much time it takes and how little it’s paid.

Some of the name-calling and language I’ve heard about this year’s municipal candidates has been downright ugly. And unnecessary. And childish. I look forward to getting to know and working with a group of people across this county who accept the tally, put differences aside and conduct themselves appropriately.

The bottom line is that if being involved in or subject to name-calling, defaced signs, allegations of impropriety, sabotaged emails and attacks on strategy means you somehow earned your seat, then I’ll take the gimme.

Now, let’s get down to business. We have a community to run…

The evening’s presentation featured an overview of the many ways in which the HCDC helps small business owners and provided statistics on exactly how it’s helped our local folks. It touched on topics such as the recent Innovation Story campaign you’ve seen in the papers and the new Bear’s Lair Entrepreneurial Competition among many other things.

The final presentation was about the Creative Economy which, admittedly, is a topic that confuses many people and has more than a handful of detractors. At its very core, the term refers to maintaining cultural vibrancy and economic strength through the attraction and retention of a talented and creative workforce; through encouraging and fostering entrepreneurship; and in creating a sense of place that will attract businesses as opposed to building something like a call centre and then populating the community with drone-like employees. Besides, the call centres are already … shall we say, “elsewhere”.

The concept has roots, growth and funding attached to it and, according to the guest speaker, the Highlands is already well into the thick of it.

So if you’re surfing around the net, take a few minutes to check out the HCDC site at www.haliburtoncdc.ca. Find out not only what this organization can do for your business or dream but also what the heck this Creative Economy thing is all about, and how your neighbours are already part of it. I think you’ll say, “Wow, who knew?…”

A printing error was made on the Township of Algonquin Highlands 2010 Municipal Election composite ballot as it relates to Ward 2 Municipal Councillor, instructing electors to vote for only one (1) candidate. The instructions should have read that electors can vote for up to TWO (2) candidates for the position of Councillor in Ward 2. We apologize for any confusion this error has caused.

On October 26, 2010 new ballots of a different colour, relating to Municipal Councillor only, will be issued to every eligible elector in Ward 2. A delayed count of the above noted Ward 2 ballots will take place on:

Monday, November 29, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at the Township Office located at 1123 North Shore Road.

Please complete the new ballot by following the instructions contained in the mail in ballot kits. Ballots must be mailed by November 20, 2010 to ensure delivery to the Township Office by counting day. Ballots may also be dropped off at the Township Office at 1123 North Shore Road until Monday, November 29, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

If there should be any questions or further information required, please call the Township Office at (705) 489-2379.

ELECTION NOTICE – WARD 2 ELECTORATE

Township of Algonquin Highlands

The following notice is hereby given to the Ward 2 electorate in the Township of Algonquin Highlands:

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE CANDIDATES

The existing Ward 2 ballots will be counted for the purposes of the School Board Trustee Candidates.

The electorate are to cast their vote and return the same by the deadlines contained in the existing mail in ballot kit.

Ballots returned by mail are to be post marked no later than October 16th, 2010.

Ballots may also be delivered to the Algonquin Highlands Municipal Office at 1123 North Shore Road no later than 8:00 p.m. on October 25, 2010.

Please ensure you follow all directions contained in the existing mail in ballot kit as to the manner and deadline by which the ballot must be returned.

MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR – WARD 2

The purpose of this notice is to confirm that there is an error on the Ward 2 ballot that relates strictly to the Municipal Councillor positions for Ward 2.

Separate and further notice will be mailed to each Ward 2 electorate as to the new process, new ballot and ballot kit, and new deadline by which the new ballots are to be cast as it relates only to the position of Municipal Councillor – Ward 2. 

Angie Bird, A.M.C.T., CMM1

Municipal Clerk

Township of Algonquin Highlands

1123 North Shore Road

Algonquin Highlands, ON K0M 1J1

I have consistently maintained that this township doesn’t have the financial or human resources to undertake a project of this magnitude. Maybe it will one day, but that day isn’t now.

Remember, these notes are from 2008 and some things may have changed since then, such as access to high-speed around the airport.

1.  A 2006 economic impact study done for the Stanhope airport was produced by Inside Canadian Airports . It’s one of the documents used to promote the potential economic development associated with the new runway and states that the Stanhope Airport has the potential to generate $40 million. I was told by several development people that this EIS is “boilerplate” and that it’s based on a variety of static premises that don’t speak to individual variables.

COMMENT: Is this true? Can someone clarify this or tell me more about the marketing firm that did the study? If this is an accurate description of this EIS, we should undertake an economic impact study that suits our needs and regional identity, and addresses the unique aspects of our demographics.

2.  The 2006 economic impact assessment used a model created by the Transport Institute of the University of Manitoba. In digging down into their website I found the following disclaimer about the studies they provide:

“Economic impact assessments (EIA) investigate benefits to society from a specific activity, but address neither economic efficiency, nor the feasibility of a capital investment project. Investment decision-making on a risk-return basis requires a comprehensive benefit-cost study.”

COMMENT: We have not discussed economic efficiency or the feasibility of the capital investment, nor have we done a comprehensive benefit-cost study to determine our risk-return ratio.

3.  Another study done by the Transport Institute contains this:

“Total economic impact includes direct, indirect and induced effects. The direct effects are a consequence of construction. Firms predominantly contributing to the direct impact are visibly involved with the project. Indirect effects follow from increased (or decreased) demand on suppliers of directly impacted firms. Induced effects refer to a change in consumer spending resulting from the project. Economic multipliers are used to estimate the induced impact.”

COMMENT: The argument for the funding is that the project will create local employment. However, the above means that the direct economic impact of this project is probably a local logger hired to cut the trees but the overall contract is likely to be awarded to a larger company from out of town that employs no local people, and specialty suppliers such as GPS aren’t going to be local either.

The indirect impact is to the contractor’s suppliers such as an asphalt supplier but there are no asphalt suppliers in Haliburton County so the “stimulus” money will leave the community.

So the best the township can hope for is induced effects but only if we can see a change in consumer spending – and yet we have no marketing (or other) plan to try to change that consumer spending or to capture that data so we can even try to influence a change in consumer spending.

As an aside, it can (and has) been argued that if the funding is both provincial and federal then the “local community” is the province and, indeed, the entire country.

4.  The Inside Canadian Airports website offers a book called Airports Benchmark Data: A Summary of Canadian Airport Operations. No one’s ever said if our airport participates in this annual survey, if the results are worth knowing, if we receive the book or how we compare to other municipal airports. In fact, other than monthly landing and fuel stats council receives very little ongoing information about activities at the airport. Why don’t we know about, and do, more at our airport?

5.  A September 2008 COPA flight article about the benefits of airports says it is “encouraging municipalities to undertake EIS to assess the true value of their airports” and “Transport Canada does agree that data must be gathered in order to build an economic footprint of (general aviation) and personal aviation“.

COMMENT: It’s been suggested that the current EIS is questionable. We collect very little data with which to produce a proper economic footprint. The most commonly reiterated evaluation of the Stanhope Airport comes from a 1999 study commissioned by the county called The Randolph Report wherein the airport is noted as a valuable commodity – which it is.

6.  However, the Randolph Report also states that:

“fundamental industrial/economic development marketing (in the County) is lacking”;

that “The Stanhope industrial area adjacent the airport has the potential to develop into a key opportunity for outsider investors looking at the County” ; but that

“These opportunities for growth require a marketing package.”

The report mentions in several places that the key to industrial growth, including Stanhope Airport, must include zoning amendments and reiterates that “Airport uses can, over time, be increased with increased promotion and planning.”

COMMENT: We don’t have, nor have we suitably discussed or planned to discuss, any sort of increased marketing plan for the current airport or any sort of integrated growth marketing for the expansion and related potential costs for the future. It also states that the County should, “Support the efforts of Stanhope to market the airport for the growth of aviation related uses” and this isn’t happening either.

Further to this, the airport lands may well be suitable for growth but there’s no 3-phase power, no water, no sewer, and no high speed internet. Please explain how this is desirable land.

7.  Canada has lost more than 200,000 manufacturing and light industrial jobs in the last 4 years. It’s unreasonable to think that a longer runway at a small airport in a sparsely populated area will do anything to attract enough employers offering good jobs to justify the cost and effort of this project.

8.  The current economy means less disposable income and less business investment. Why and how is this project going to beat the economic odds?

9.  On May 7th 2007 the Vision Plan was accepted by council at a special meeting. At that meeting aeronautical consultant/expert Charles Cormier said at that both a Marketing Plan and a Business Plan were good ideas – yet we don’t have either of these and have had very few discussions about them.

10.  At the same meeting the same expert said a project like this hasn’t been attempted in Ontario since 1995 and when I asked him why, he couldn’t answer me and when he looked to his colleagues for help, they just shrugged.

11.  The Sypher report of 2006 encourages an ongoing capital plan – yet council hasn’t discussed this and the project doesn’t have one.

12.  I was told repeatedly by township administration that the new runway will not create ongoing costs for this township other than perhaps snow plowing. This is completely unrealistic and even if that weren’t unrealistic, it would still an incremental cost we would have to account for. There have been no discussions about the ongoing maintenance or upgrading of lighting, GPS, fencing, wildlife management, signage, website, marketing & advertising or BR&E.

13.  The Building Canada Fund application says under the Local and Regional Airports section: “Improvement projects must be financially supported by provincial/local/regional governments, and generate regional economic benefits and be sustainable on a long- term basis, as demonstrated by a sound business plan.”

COMMENT: We don’t have a business plan that predicts regional economic benefits or demonstrates long-term sustainability.

14.  In an email reply to my questions the manager of Iroquois Falls Municipal Airport wrote:

“Our business plan was developed in August of 2006. We are currently in the process of finalizing a land use development plan that we are putting together internally. We expect to be in a position to start marketing the plan by mid-October. I would be glad to send you a copy once finalized. In the meantime here is the business plan and the terms of reference that we used to obtain proposals”

COMMENT: We don’t have a business plan, a land use development plan or a marketing plan associated with this project. I don’t believe people will come here because of a runway. They might come because of a solid business and tourism development plan that includes other municipalities and the county’s economic development office but we don’t have those relationships in place.

15.  In 2006 the Oshawa Airport did an Economic Development Impact Study; Muskoka Airport did a Strategic Business Plan; and both the Iroquois Falls and Tillsonburg Airports did Business Plans. In 2007 Kingston did an economic study and in 2008 the Region of Waterloo did an Airport Master Plan.

COMMENT: Why aren’t we doing any studies or plans when other municipal airports are doing them as standard business practice?

16.  The argument can easily be made that the new runway will assist in fixed-wing, non-urgent patient transport and help take the pressure off our land ambulance system. If this county has a serious issue with healthcare and its related services then both the county and the province should be part of the planning and should be contributing financially – but they are not.

17.  The argument is being made that air ambulance needs the bigger runway for improved med-evac purposes.

In October of 2008 I spoke at length to the Manager of Aviation Safety at ORNGE, the provincial air ambulance service provider (I don’t feel it’s appropriate to print his name). At that time, he said that I was the only person – citizen or politician – who had contacted ORNGE on the issue of the Stanhope Airport. His exact words were, “No one has approached ORNGE on this…“.

This man is a pilot and has been involved with air ambulance service in Ontario since its inception. He has friends on Beech Lake, so he is familiar with the Stanhope Airport and its current layout. Here’s what he told me:

The provincial rule for determining whether a helicopter or a plane is used is 240 km. That is, if the patient is less than 240km away, a land transfer is used. Beyond 240 km a chopper is used. Yes, there are exceptions, such as when Advanced Care is needed, and a plane provides more space for paramedics to work in.

The planes used for air ambulance have traditionally been Caravans, which aren’t being used anymore. Instead, ORNGE is/will be using Pilatus turbo prop planes for which 2000′ is a comfortable landing length (Stanhope is currently 2500′).

An October 2008 press release on the ORNGE website says that the new planes “will provide medical services for patients requiring advanced and critical care during transport”. Non-urgent transfers are not mentioned.

While the gentleman did concede that these planes could only land at Stanhope on a clear, dry day and that an instrument approach would be helpful, he said that crosswinds are not an issue for them, therefore the crosswind argument related to emergency services isn’t valid.

He also said:

• the new runway didn’t make sense for “med-evac” because both hospitals have new helipads and we are well served by both;
• that ambulances wouldn’t take people to a hospital for triage, then drive past the helipad to take them back to an airport for a fixed-wing evacuation;
• there’s a summer chopper base at Muskoka Airport from May 24 – Labour Day;
• to justify the new runway using “need” or “accessibility” is a chicken-and-egg argument that can’t be won because both sides are right;
• that he could see the point of the bigger runway only if we had a larger, regional hospital (like Huntsville) from which it could be assumed there would be sufficient, regular transfers to warrant bigger air service;
• further to the above, ORNGE uses helicopters here and has no plans to increase fixed wing service here;
• between May 2007 and October 2008 the air ambulance had been called to Stanhope Airport only 17X, twice with a Caravan fixed wing for non-urgent transfers and 15X for the chopper, all of which were non-urgent (because the urgent ones used the helipads at the hospitals);
• there are no stats for how many times a patient was denied air transport due to the runway’s current length or weather conditions;
• there are no stats to indicate than anyone has died or suffered life-altering complications because of the limitations of Stanhope Airport.

He agreed that if the idea of the new runway is to take the pressure off the County’s ambulance system for non-urgent land transfers (which is a valid need), then the County should be contributing money or lobbying the Ministry of Health for funding.

His final comments were, “If you’re going to extend the runway, you don’t need to do it for us…“.

And this is the highlights of the research I did two years ago and part of the reason why I have voted no on this project. We need an overall plan for our community’s future and to see where (and if) this project, along with many others, fits into that plan.