E-mail – 30yrmann@gmail.com
Telephone – 902-765-3814
Married for 52 years with my wife Jennie, have two adult children and six grandchildren of which three are currently doing post secondary academic education in British Columbia. I served 30 years as a Medic with the RCAF, CAF and RCN including West Germany for 3 years, Egypt for a six-month tour and in all provinces except Newfoundland and Manitoba. Additionally, I served with the Royal Canadian Navy, at sea, on both coasts. I moved to Wilmot in 1994, District #1 where I have resided every since. I have been involved with the community in most places I have lived.
If elected, will you support taking the dispute with Valley Waste to binding arbitration?
Based on our current council and its administration’s recommendations and actions regarding the management of the waste disposal , we have been left with a migraine while they try to settle this dispute. That said, it would appear that mediation may be required as the last nail in the coffin to settle the mess they have left us with. So yes, with reluctance, it looks like mediation with binding arbitration will have to happen for very obvious reasons.
The lack of rural internet has been a pressing issue for over 15 years and while there are some concrete signs of preparation for some new installations, there still remains a number of County residents who will not be afforded the same level of internet service when it is all said and done.
If elected, can you commit to advocating for the same level of service for all residents, including “final mile” residents? Yes or No
Yes – Money seems to be no problem for many other unfinished projects, lawyers, council pay increases and benefits, multiple annual grant requests, out of town and country trips, etc. This is 2020, not 1920. Internet is as important as the telephone in today’s world. What’s the problem with treating all residents equally? Money doesn’t seem to be a problem with the aforementioned things.
Annapolis County elects 11 councillors for a population of approximately 19,000. The councillors then elect a warden from amongst themselves. Total remuneration is $405,062.
Kings County elects 9 councillors for a population of approximately 49,000. Since 2016 a mayor has been elected by the population at large. Total remuneration is $392,688.
1) Do you support a review of the number of councillors required for Annapolis County? Yes, I support 100% that a review is not only needed but necessary in my opinion. The math says it all! 8 or 9 for starters.
2) Do you support having a mayor elected by the population at large? No to having a Mayor elected. You can replace a Warden during Municipal term if need be but you are stuck with a Mayor who is elected as opposed to being appointed/elected by the councillors.
What ideas or plans do you have for constructive community engagement?
Property Valuation Services routinely and annually increase ones property assessment and so council spends the extra money they get from the increased assessment by hardly touching the mill rate (tax rate). Want constructive community engagement? All council has to do is say that they are going to remove the deed transfer tax to attract more home buyers but the loss of revenue as a result would be such that your mill rate would increase by approximately ten cents. You would then get community involvement at which time you could put other things on the same agenda! Almost guaranteed!
What do you see as the top three priorities for Annapolis County, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Clean up all current pending litigation first so we can settle with lawyers one way or the other. Post all legal fees to date regarding waste management, internet and the Gordonstoun School project.
2. No more litigation such as the most recent motion in council, that is motion: 2009 15.18, 15 Sep 20, which has asked the CAO to investigate options on filing a Class-Action suit against the manufacturers of Glyphosate.
3. Leave the “CAP” (Capped Assessment Program) alone. The current council appears to want it removed according to the Warden. Every council likes to have more money so they can find more ways to spend it. Another tax increase, period.
