In the weeks leading up to this year’s municipal election, Huntsville Doppler will be posting a commentary from each of the local candidates. The order of appearance is completely random. To read commentary from other candidates, click here.
Meet Peggy Peterson, a candidate for Mayor of Huntsville
I am grateful to everyone who is engaged in this election and thank you to Huntsville Doppler for the interest. Independent thought is a critical part of a working municipal democracy and local media is an important part of this.
Running for public office is a serious task with long term implications and many of you know me, many of you know of me, and many of you are not quite sure who I am. The most important thing you need to know about me is that I am a hard worker who is passionate about this town. I have been working hard for years to understand government and politicians and that has given me a first hand knowing that our government is not working anymore, and it is systemic and at all levels.
I believe this is the most important election in this town’s history. We have done things in our recent past that have not served us well and they will not serve us moving forward. Four levels of government make it complicated for a small town and most of us do not have the time to follow government so often things happen, many people in Huntsville are working very hard to make ends meet. Our average income is far too close to poverty for anyone’s comfort and our cost of living just escalates annually.
Many people are not aware that this is a full-on electronic vote; there are no paper ballots or poling days, everything is on line. This was a decision by this council made years ago. So, we must all be vigilant in voting and get out in numbers because I think we are in trouble. Please call the Election Hotline at the Town Hall during business hours to ensure you will be be getting a Pin Number in the mail.
I have seen that we have been compromising the lands and our precious watershed. I think we have been resourcing the beauty and ecology of Muskoka to the point of doing irreparable harm.
Let’s face it we are here because of these shorelines.
Our economy is historically based on tourism, cottagers and construction, so the health of our economy is directly related to the health of the very ecology we are compromising.
I remain very hopeful about our future; the people here are truly amazing, all of them. We have an incredible collection of artists and musicians that call Huntsville home and an amazing group at Community Living and People First and of course the Algonquin Grace Hospice. There is no one in Huntsville that has not felt the love at Algonquin Grace.
I have only so many words, so I am going to list a few of my questions for your consideration ~
Are we making every effort to ensure people are safe and prepared for the very real impacts of Climate Change including storm water management and food and energy security? These torrential rains are not going to get any lighter.
We have a hopelessness problem with our youth and we have a homelessness problem and a serious housing shortage. What has this council done to address these crises?
I am very clear in my promise to ensure and protect our health care services including our local hospitals. The Province has more than enough money in the budget, it needs to be reconfigured to fit our local needs.
The Muskoka River, a Federally passes the old Tannery site above the downtown of Huntsville and I cringe knowing what could be leaking into the river there. We know what was buried there over 60 years ago and it is our responsibility and the Town’s liability to know if it is leaking.
Many of you are disturbed by the number of town assets that have been sold recently below market value – the deal of the day on the misnamed waterloo building and the Train Station for 2 dollars. The Mayor was clearly proud of the fact that he has sold off town assets during the debate.
Many of you are disturbed by the plan to spend millions of dollars on a redo of our main street and Kent park and the Ball Diamonds and all of us are asking them to stop any plans to spend unless it is already a budget line in 2018.
If the people of Huntsville elect me to be their next Mayor, I will promise to do my best to make them happy.
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Peggy Peterson says
Thank you to Doppler, I am also very concerned that the current council is pushing through their version of a new official plan and may force it through before the new Council is sworn in . We have asked them respectfully to stop the legal process and set this new plan on the shelf for the next council since is the controlling document but they are not clearly willing to do this … The people will have to write to them and ask them to stop , maybe then they will listen …..
Karen A. Insley says
Peggy Peterson, it is so important the issues you state,especially around stormwater management and watersheds in the whole area of Muskoka Parry Sound. These complex issues require concerted effort and collaboration to resolve, not left to the expense of individual property owners being forced to go through the courts for restitution as the only course.
Rob Millman says
Peggy, I have one statement and one question for you:
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1) I agree with you completely regarding the OP: as it is already well beyond the mandatory 5-year-interval for revision, what’s the rush?; and
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2) with respect and without prejudice; considering the extreme amount of time necessary to run for Mayor; why are you wasting it by not only appearing at local all-candidates-meetings (e.g. Baysville, Dwight, and Dorset); but also by monopolizing the Q & A (which is not your right)?
Peggy Peterson says
Thank you for the comment , I suggest you were at the Baysville and Dwight Debates as I was . I attended the Baysville event and when no one was standing with a question I asked one question as many others did and it was a good question if you recall. The Dwight Debate was the same , a reluctance to ask questions so I asked a good question of the Councillors about watershed management . After that there was another lull in questions so I asked a question about Healthcare . There was no one in line when I asked the second question so your complaint that I monopolized the Q and A is unfair . I did not ask any questions to during the Mayors debates and it was disappointed that the format changed for the Huntsville Debate and Scott and I did not have time dedicated to just the Mayors. In Huntsville we were all on stage and Mayors questions were left to time out so this venue to express my views is appreciated, I think it is important for someone running for Mayor who will sit at District to attend these debates and I have attended debates across Muskoka because I care about what people are interested in. You disparage me sir for my interest in good governance and accountability
Peggy Peterson says
for the record , the final two words of my submission were not printed by Doppler.
If the people of Huntsville elect me to be their next Mayor, I promise to do my best to make people happy they did .
Many thanks for the consideration
Peggy Peterson
Candidate for Mayor of Huntsville