Incumbents defend lack of tax rate cut
Election Voters get chance to hear candidates' opinions on variety of issues
ST. ANDREWS - With the municipal election only days away, residents in St. Andrews made town council hopefuls work hard for votes at the candidates' night this week.
On hand for the event were mayoral candidates John Craig, the incumbent, and Mary Dowling, and council hopefuls Leigh Beaton, Edie Bishop, John Castell, Michael Craig, Roger McNabb, Mary Myers, Cyndy Parker and Matt Watkins.
The public grilled the candidates with questions and demanded not only their opinion but an answer about which way they would vote on issues such as business expansion, the environment, and arts and culture.
Most of the newcomers got off to a slow start when all but McNabb admitted, in response to a question, that they had not read the town's municipal plan.
Meanwhile, the incumbents had to defend themselves when asked why they have not decreased the tax rate over the last four years in light of skyrocketing property assessments in the oceanside town, which has doubled the town's income in the last 10 years.
Michael Craig, an incumbent, was the only candidate to come right out and say he thinks the tax rate should be decreased.
"I think we can afford to bring it down," he said. "A new council can decide how much. Politicians of any stripe will find ways to spend your money if we get it. Guaranteed."
Myers, an incumbent, said while the town has not decreased the tax rate, it does not have to borrow a lot of money to supply services and has a reserve fund in case of emergencies.
"I think any woman in any household wants to have a little reserve and that's how I feel about it," said Myers.
Castell, an incumbent, said if the province gave the town the 50-per-cent increase it charges non-residents, the town would be able to decrease the tax rate. He said the town should lobby the provincial government to put a cap on assessments.
Reviving the downtown, increasing tourism and attracting new businesses and new jobs to the area were main concerns for residents during the question period.
An audience member asked Dowling why she had stated in her remarks that she wanted jobs in the area when her record showed she voted against Kingsbrae Gardens, the call centre and Tim Hortons. The person wanted to know what specific businesses Dowling would support.
"I did not vote against them," Dowling said. "I believe in more jobs for this town and I think you have been misinformed. Soft industry will give people more employment. Right off the top of my head I can't give you a list."
An anonymous question stated that the town of St. Andrews is perceived as being anti-business and wanted to know what the potential council would do for businesses.
John Craig replied there may be such a perception, but it is not true. He said the town does not do businesses any favours but tries to work with them, tells them the rules, makes sure they are willing to fit in with the town and then walks them through each step.
There were a lot of different ideas about how to bolster business in the small town. McNabb said as the American market becomes increasingly difficult to tap into, St. Andrews should be looking at international tourism and specifically in Europe where the dollar is strong.
Watkins, an artist in the jewelry business, said he is an advocate for small businesses and would look for opportunities that would give small businesses support. He said he would not be interested in bringing in big corporations that would pay low wages and pollute the area.
Beaton suggested a retirement community. He said people would be employed to build it and also to staff it year-round. He said St. Andrews should look backwards at what it has always been good at and specialize in that when building a tourism industry.
Castell suggested the town capitalize on the science industry it has already built up. He said St. Andrews would be a perfect place for Microsoft to locate the computer-based school it was talking about bringing to New Brunswick. He said the area would also be perfect for information technology businesses.
Myers said she is part of an independent committee that is developing a strategic plan for St. Andrews and hopes that it will create jobs in the area.
"I think that we have been lost along the way," said Myers. "We need to hire someone to implement this plan and that person will be able to put the name of St. Andrews out there again."
Parker said she thinks the town should look at other historic communities to see how they are thriving and bring home tips.
Bishop said the town and chamber of commerce should hire someone to market the town and encourage more visitors.
Jimmy Craig and Kate Akagi are also running for council but were not able to attend the event.
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