Scott Gibson - Councillor Candidate
173 Bruce Road 7, RR 1
Ripley, ON N0G 2R0
Phone: 519-440-9390
Email: sdgibson@hurontel.on.ca
Thanks for the privilege to address your groups, the beach area in our township is near a dear to my heart, I spent a lot of my childhood at my Aunt and Uncles in Point Clark swimming and playing at the Beach and a few years ago we actually owned a cottage in the Point Clark for some time and have a lot of family and friends still calling it home.
I have included my interviews with the local papers to try and answer any questions you may have had on myself and my platform. If there is anything else feel free to ask.
Thanks
Scott
Responses to Kincardine Record Questions
Where do you live and work? Your age, family, organizations you belong to?
I live Just south of Ripley on a small piece of land and work at Bruce Power as a Contract Supervisor. I’m 52 years old and have my wife Kim and 4 kids. I belong to provincial and federal political parties, OFA and the OFAH also a member of Lucknow Legion Branch 309.
Why are you running for council?
My family and I plan to call Huron-Kinloss Home for the rest of our lives and believe I have the right fortitude and ability to stand up for what is right and to be fiscally responsible. I am seeking the privilege of public office to be a fresh voice to elevate the community. Our legacy will become a regional model for a vibrant, equitable Township. I can be a strong ambassador, a champion, a connector, an advocate and I will serve with municipal superiority!
Was there something that prompted you to run for councilor?
I have been told for years that I should be in politics but what prompted me most is where our tax dollars are being spent and are they the best areas for all of our tax payers, I know you can never make everyone completely happy but if a person can live with a decision and walk away sometimes that is the only answer. I do know it will be a big learning curve and I have a lot of listening to do prior to forming an educated opinion. Some important issues are affordable housing , good roads, a safe place for our family and kids to work and play.
What experience do you have with municipal politics, local government, boards and
committees, or any other level of government?
While no official political experience so to speak, In both my public and professional lives, I have been a positive, decisive, innovative, gracious leader who understands the importance of cooperation and teamwork to achieve goals for our community.
What do you believe are the major issues facing the Township of Huron-Kinloss?
Not utilizing all of our resources to solve our waste management issues in the township, I realize this to be a much larger worldly issue but we can maybe try to better our small part to keep air quality and waterways the safest possible. There are countries efficiently segregating, incinerate most of their waste and maybe we can obtain grants and funding to be some of the first to do this in Ontario. I also know the struggles families have with affordable housing unable to get a suitable roof over their heads, we can look at trying to attract housing developments. Crime rates in the area need to also be addressed as the community members are tired of having to constantly watch their belongings. I know there has been interest in the past to explore the option of emergency/Fire response closer to the lakefront of the township and I have a few ideas on how we could approach this at minimal cost while decreasing the response time. There are roads in our township that people actually get stuck in during the spring also roads that have been partially completed, roads/projects that have been completed in below standard condition we will then make contractors be held accountable. Attracting business to our community should be a key focus to sustain
employment and available services. For our farmers our municipal drainage and inspection program is very important and shouldn’t be discounted.
In closing, I’m open to new ideas, I’ll keep an open mind and I’m willing to listen.
Thanks
Scott Gibson For H-K Council
Responses to the Kincardine Independent Questions
My Background
Born and raised just west of Lucknow on a family farm. I went to college to become an industrial mechanic Millwright, at the time there wasn’t enough room on the farm for all of us so I branched off into a different avenue but still kept a small farm just South of Ripley. I’m married with 3 boys and a daughter. I currently work as a Contract Supervisor at Bruce Power. My hobbies include Hunting, ATV’s, Fishing , Baseball, Travel and politics.
I’m running in this election to try and introduce a new voice into the council, I feel there needs to be a “heavy handed” approach on expenditures some expenses are passed without realizing the impact in short and long term, examples being do we keep repairing an old piece of equipment at extravagant repair rates or do we simply replace it or perhaps maybe it’s cheaper in the long run to contract it out and keep the overhead down so we can apply the budget to something truly more important.
I feel some of the biggest challenges are road infrastructure (as we all know), clean safe water , sewage and waste. I know increasing infrastructure in these areas will promote growth in our small towns but it also has to benefit those with modest incomes. One of my biggest pet peeves is the local landfill, every time I go there I cringe at the damage we are doing to the planet and would like to look at new ways curb our impact on landfill.
Local Issues
- lack of affordable housing and how high priced real estate is keeping younger generations out of the
housing market.
This is a tuff one on the municipal level due to specific funding, but by allowing some reasonable
zoning changes and freeing up some residential land, enticing contractors to build affordable
senior living which would possibly free up some family size homes in the area to the younger
ones starting out.
- record low unemployment rates (businesses closing or reducing hours due to labour shortage)
Some of the Blame for this is affordable housing, but a lot of the blame lies with the Federal
Government paying folks not to re-enter the workforce.
- rural access to medical care - wait times, specialists, surgery etc.
Recently we have completely renovated the Lucknow medical center and enticed 2 new doctors
into the practice. In this area I’ll be honest I need more research on what can be done at our level
to help the rural people out, I know first-hand the troubles living in rural areas vs the urban
centers on quality of care and services, just how hard it is to get appointments and at home
assistance for your loved ones.
- increasing cost of living putting goods and services out of reach of many on fixed or low income (i.e.
cost of internet, insurance, electricity, etc.)
Once again these items are mostly Federal and Provincial level issues, one thing we can do is
make our local MP and MPP’s more aware of the growing issues in our specific area so maybe to
gain more focus on Huron-Kinloss.
- increase in mental health, addictions issues and effect on community
Maybe we can do a better job at getting the word out that there is help for these people and their
families and where it can be obtained, also if we are lacking in this area once again we need to
reach out to our MPP to address and make sure there is follow-up. I know these addictions lead to
a lot of crime and it is one particular issue I want to address with our local OPP presence and
focus.
- increasing costs of raising a family and finding services .ie. Daycare, activity programs
Look into ways to help/attract new business into the area to ease the strain on daycare. Summer
activities and day camps can be a great asset to the community so we need to look carefully on
what we are currently offering and see if its enough.
- increasing demand for spaces and services at nursing homes and the rising costs of service
Again first Hand on this issue with both of my parents in the last couple years, nothing is more
stressful then trying to find quality care while also trying to keep your loved ones as close to you
as possible, and I will look into ways to try and secure more space and entice new builds if
possible and realizing quality, safety and dignity are #1.
In closing I realize I am new to this and know there is a lot of learning to do at this position, I can say and
promise a lot but first of all you and I both know I can only work with what we have and until I sit back
and hear all the sides that’s when it’s time to form an educated opinion.
Thanks for the consideration.
Scott Gibson > for H-K Council