Bill Crumplin says after hearing Patricia Mills' platform launch earlier this week, he has found that, contrary to what he first thought, there is very little that is similar between their two campaigns.
The mayoral candidate said after speaking with Mills several times, he felt optimistic because they had some similar ideas.
However, now that she has went into greater detail, he said there are big differences in their vision for the City of Greater Sudbury.
Below is the full test of the media release from Crumplin.
Mayoral candidate Bill Crumplin read coverage of fellow candidate Patricia Mill’s launch with some optimism.
“We have chatted with each other during the campaign and it has been very pleasant and we acknowledged that we have some similar ideas.”
Now, according to Crumplin, “I feel that Ms. Mills’ platform allows for clear delineation to be made between her and me.
“I see at least two distinct differences in our vision for the city. The first follows from her statement that her goal is to keep tax increases below the rate of inflation.”
According to Crumplin, “this will play well to the voter who refuses to see how services and taxes are linked.”
He also adds, “remember when Mayor Bigger promised no tax increase in the first year of his term? How did that turn out for us?”
Crumplin, going on to answer his own questions, says, “First, the city used about $6 million from its reserves to pay for operating costs in year one. Secondly, the city has had the highest overall tax increases in our region for the 2014-18 period.”
He also points out that over the next four years, there will be several rounds of collective bargaining with various unions. In addition, he makes it clear that no one knows what the tax implications will be regarding the KED.
While Crumplin would like to keep taxes at the rate of inflation, he understands given road, infrastructure and water concerns, plus KED costs and upcoming collective bargaining, that doing so will be a challenge. Aiming to keep them below the rate of inflation is unrealistic and he wonders, “what are the service cuts that will result?”
“It seems that Ms. Mills has just sent a signal to voters. By stating her goal is to keep taxes below the rate of inflation, it would seem she has just said we cannot expect our roads, infrastructure and water issues to be dealt with under her leadership.”
The only issues Crumplin’s campaign has found that unites Sudburians are the embarrassing condition of our roads, crumbling infrastructure and concerns regarding drinking and waste water.
On the other hand, he wonders has “Ms. Mills has just sent a message to the bargaining teams of the various unions?”
As for the KED, she seems to be walking the line between those in favour and those opposed. Crumplin was hoping Ms. Mills would take a clear stand on the matter.
“What we have is Mayor Bigger claiming the KED has unified the city while Ms. Mills’ survey illustrates differently.”
But she does not take a clear stand, he said. Should LPAT’s findings after the appeal process send the project back to council, she does not care where it is located.
“A leader has to be prepared to say ‘here’ or ‘there,’ so the public knows what to expect.
“I have said all along that the KED project was approved by council and we need to wait for the appeals to be judged by LPAT. However, I have also said that the Kingsway location is wrong for economic and urban design reasons.”
Pointing to his training in and teaching of urban development and design, Crumplin said cities must focus on infill and intensifying development, not adding facilities to the margins, especially, as he points out, “when a proposed site is beyond the extent of current services. This simply adds more infrastructure to be maintained by taxpayers.”
It is clear he appreciated hearing Ms. Mills' stance on these two issues because it gives voters “a clearer idea of how she and I see our role as mayor.”
“It also shows that a leader has to be realistic, open and transparent. People who vote for me will know what I stand for."
