Callaghan campaign to focus on core services

 Providing core city services-water, parks and recreation, roads, policing, fire protection and libraries-are the priority for mayoral candidate Ted Callaghan.

That is because he said money for city services may be scarce.

The Ward 8 city councillor and finance committee chief opened his campaign office Sept. 8 in the Montrose Mall on Lasalle Boulevard in New Sudbury.

“The federal provincial stimulus money is over,” he said. “In 2011 and 2012 we could lose $8 to $10 million per year in senior government funding we are used to getting through program like the gas tax.”

He also is concerned about a portion of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), a provincial funding program that is geared towards municipalities.

Lorella Hayes, Greater Sudbury chief financial officer has said the province has warned the city in past years that a part of the fund the city applies for each year, worth about $5 million, is never guaranteed.
“I sensed last year they would come through for that money and they did,” Callaghan said. “But I am not so sure about this year.”

Callaghan said with federal and provincial belt tightening the city could find itself in the same situation as it was in the late 1990s when the federal government drastically cut back on transfers to the provinces to slash its own debt. That then affected municipalities like Greater Sudbury.

Though he said city council has to fight to hold on to its funding sources, he thinks the city has to prepare for the worst.
“I believe the new city council will have to look at its beliefs about what core services we want to keep,” he said. “This is fundamental stuff. We have to make sure we can finance them and stay focused on them.”

Key to that will be public consultations, he said.
“We have to have a real debate in the community about this.”

Callaghan criticized Rodriguez for wasting money on the proposed performing arts centre and multi pad sports complex.
“We wasted two years of staff time and $430,000 in consulting fees on these two projects,” he said. “These are hard numbers. I can prove that.”

City residents go to the polls October 25.

Callaghan has joined other challengers to Rodriguez including Zack Gauthier, Dennis Gorman, Marianne Matichuk, Derek Young, David Popescu and Ed Pokonzie. Marc Serré has withdrawn his candidacy for mayor. Nominations close today for all city council and school board positions.

For more information on the Callaghan campaign phone 705-507-7884 or visit www.TedCallaghan.ca.