Successes of Last Term

Working with all levels of government in the last two year Dennis raised almost $67 million EXTRA dollars to better Norfolk

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Working with our federal MP, elected members of the provincial government, and senior bureaucrats at both levels, almost $67 million added dollars are being invested in Norfolk’s future.

The TEAM of Council and staff made the important, tough decisions and took the necessary actions to resolve the sewage capacity and water issues in Norfolk – particularly in:

Port Rowan – a new mechanical sewage treatment plant and pumping station;

Simcoe, after a two year suspension of all new residential building, because of a lack of capacity, we have resolved that issue and increased the available capacity so that development is well underway; and

Port Dover, we have added the installation of overflow tanks to offset the “traditional” practice of bypassing affluent into the lake, and will be investing close to $32 million in added capacity.

We increased and improved the availability and quality of drinking water in Norfolk.

We made Important and needed improvements to our arenas and recreation centres in Delhi, Port Dover, Langton and Simcoe, as well as to our trail systems and community centers.

Many roads across Norfolk and the fixtures under those roads were upgraded, including a major improvement to the Front Road, with the addition of a bike lane.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

We had successes in prime areas of economic development – residential, commercial, and agricultural. We established both a short-term strategy and a long range plan, and this approach allowed us to strike quickly as our “capacity” grew.

Unfortunately, Norfolk has suffered the closure of manufacturing facilities and the related job losses, as has every other municipality in Ontario. Because of this, every effort was and continues to be made to diversify our economy and grow in areas where growth is possible (e.g. agriculture, commerce, home building).

Support for Agriculture played a major part in the economic development strategy. We spoke out for the growers and producers at senior levels of government and were pleased to play a part in the tobacco “Exit” program. We were successful in having a share of the “Exit” program funding dedicated to economic development and we have a say in where and how that funding is spent, to ensure it meets the important strategic needs of Norfolk and the Sand Plain.

We also looked past the tobacco concerns and planned (both locally and with our SCOR partners) for the downturn in the economy.

We also cannot overlook the impact of the labour disruption at U.S. Steel and the negative affects on the local economy. Our vocal and demonstrated support for the workers was strong and we are extremely happy that there has been a resolution to that conflict.

 

NORFOLK’S STRATEGIC, OFFICIAL AND RELATED PLANS

 

Council and staff drafted, debated and established a Strategic Plan covering the term of office and beyond. This is an important document that gives direction from Council to staff on what are the prime areas for priority.

The Norfolk County Official Plan has finally been approved and it provides clear direction on land use in Norfolk.

We also consulted the public on, reviewed and approved a Lakeshore Secondary Plan.

Council and staff are currently working to complete a comprehensive Norfolk Zoning Bylaw.

 

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY and GOOD STEWARDSHIP

 

Sound fiscal responsibility and good stewardship require strong leadership and guidance. I have developed a strong working relationship with our Chambers of Commerce, Board of Trade and Business Improvement Areas to hear and act upon local issues.

All of our work on fiscal accountability has helped council and staff to focus on the bottom line for taxpayers. Our tax rate is among the lowest in Ontario.

 

MAYOR’S OUTREACH

 

As Norfolk Mayor, I have been working with my peers in our neighbouring municipalities, in Ontario’s Sand Plain, to identify our common concerns and interests, and the ways and means to address the dramatic effects of the economic situation.

The success we have achieved speaks to the support and confidence we receive from both the federal and provincial governments and through the establishment of the South Central Ontario Region (SCOR), which I chair.

Norfolk also has a closer working relationship with Fanshawe College. It continues to be my objective that our citizens (especially our youth) can receive a solid education here, and live and work here in Norfolk when they graduate.

As Mayor, I was also able to lobby hard and long for the agricultural sector and am proud to say that my personal intervention assisted in bringing to the attention of the provincial government, the longstanding dispute between local sour cherry growers and the Municipal Property Assessment Corp. The positive result has been a revised positive provincial policy on how farm property is assessed and it has brought realization to the Agriculture Minister that the agricultural sector must be treated fairly and consistently by the tax system.

 

 

OTHER SUCCESSES

 

While infrastructure is vital and important, there were other successes achieved during the term of Council.

Among the successes were:

• Norfolk was awarded the honour of Canada’s Forest Capital for 2008 and 2009;

• Financial and staff assistance was provided to build a skateboard park, tennis courts and a ball hockey facility in Port Dover;

• Council agreed to help fund a new sports scoreboard in Port Dover;

• New EMS stations were built in Port Dover, Port Rowan and Delhi.

• A new fire hall was built in Vittoria;

• Expanded Ambulance service was provided in Langton;

• The track in Langton was resurfaced;

• New sidewalks were constructed from Norview to Cedar St., and more will be added, taking the sidewalk all the way to Norfolk Street;

• The old, rusting CN overpass on Norfolk Street north, in Simcoe, was dismantled and the area landscaped;

• A new Harbour Master was hired in Port Rowan and new docks were added to the harbour;

• The Villa Nova sand/salt dome was replaced;

• Land was given so that the medical centre in Waterford could be expanded/built;

• Solar powered student crossing signals were installed in Delhi;

• Money was donated to assist in the expansion of the Delhi Family Medical Centre;

• Historic hamlet signs were erected in Clear Creek and Round Plains;

• The huge washout along the Front Road near the Elgin boundary was repaired;

• The dangerous hill on the Cockshutt Road at Concession 9 was shaved and improved;

• An Agricultural Advisory Board was established;

• A new and greatly improved County garage was built;

• A Director was hired for the Arts Centre;

• Additional hours were allocated to provide service at each museum in Norfolk;

• Dredging and retention wall repairs were commenced in Wellington Park;

• Toilet replacement rebate program was introduced for clients on municipal services;

• A Façade Improvement program was introduced to assist businesses in “sprucing up” their exteriors;

• Tested locations close to the Forestry Station to provide safe clean drinking water from a cluster of wells for Port Rowan, St. Williams and area, at a cost of over $6 million;

• We made substantial investments in the Port Rowan medical centre and the new ambulance station on highway 59;

• Approved development requests in Waterford in the following areas: West Church St.; around the church on Thompson Rd.; just north of the community (the Hare farm);and the Yin sub-division expansion was approved by the province;

• Four solar “farms” have been approved and are under construction;

• A special Reserve fund has been established to provide access to our lake front by Norfolk citizens and visitors; and

• Major commercial development has taken place and continues.