Norm Bush Running for Municipal Council
Question #1: With an apparent change in policy by the Provincial Government, it appears privately owned shops will be able to sell Cannabis products. Should the City of Dryden grant business licenses to local shops to sell cannabis and associated products? How many should be allowed?
Answer: The first question that Dryden needs to answer is whether or not to allow the sale of cannabis within City limits. The Province has given all municipalities the opportunity to opt out on a one time only basis. I would support conducting a public survey or referendum on this issue and abide by the wishes of the majority. Municipalities currently have until January 22, 2019 to decide to ‘opt out’ or not. That deadline may be extended. If the citizens accepted the selling of cannabis in Dryden, I would support the sale through privately owned shops. This model would provide new tax revenue, more jobs and potentially lower prices. Lower prices should mean less incentive for people to access the illegal pot market. I would not restrict the number of shops. I would let the free market determine how many shops the town could support. I would restrict the location of the shops to commercially zoned properties with a minimum distance to schools, playgrounds and parks.
Question #2: The first issue Council will face will be a decision on the OPP servicing the City versus remaining with the Dryden Police Service. Do you have a preference? And-a simple yes or no-would you be willing to hold a referendum on a possible switch?
Answer: The new Council will be presented the OPP’s cost and service delivery proposal on November 28. That will begin an evaluation process that may take up to six months before the City needs to make a decision, so no decision is required before May 28, 2019. During the evaluation period much work needs to be done to ensure any comparisons are on an apples to apples basis, the public is consulted and many references are checked. My preference for the city is to make sure we take care of the safety of our residents through a strong, community minded police force. We currently have that. Whether the OPP can provide such a service at a significantly lower cost remains to be seen. After November 28th, the new Council and Dryden’s residents will begin to have enough information to start evaluating what will work best for the community going forward. I would likely be prepared to support a referendum based on the feedback received at the public meetings to be held on the OPP costing and service level proposal.
Question #3: Possibly the most contentious issued faced by Council this year was the withdrawal of service by the Dryden Fire Fighters Association and the resulting restructuring of Dryden Fire Services. Do you feel the issue has been dealt with and is now closed or do you want to see it re-opened?
Answer: This issue has been dealt with and I believe it is in the best interest of the community to put this behind us and move forward. As a Councilor, my first priority is to ensure we have a fully staffed and fully functioning fire service that meets both the needs of the community and all of the provincial regulatory requirements as laid out by the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office. I am happy to say that based on the Fire Chief’s report to Council on August 27th of this year, the City of Dryden is meeting all of its fire protection requirements. The Fire Service is also reporting significantly improved results in the areas of fire inspections and public education. Of note: As of September of this year, the City will have MORE than its targeted number of volunteer fire fighters. Significantly MORE fire inspections are being done now than in previous years. A new, very robust door to door home smoke alarm program is in place and is exceeding its targets. The department is operating very close to its 2018 budget. It may be slightly over for 2018 due to one time only costs associated with legal fees related to the DFFA work stoppage. When members of the DFFA withdrew their services earlier this year, it caused the city to seek alternate ways of providing essential fire fighting services to the community. Given that a fully functioning, fully staffed volunteer fire service is now in place, our citizens are well protected and fire service is being provided at essentially the same cost as in the past, there is no reason to return to the previous model. I am grateful that a number of former DFFA members are again part of the City’s volunteers and would welcome back a number of others should they apply. I would also encourage our retired fire fighters to again become active in supporting the efforts of our current volunteers and the Dryden Fire Service.
Question #4: Approximately 20% of Dryden residents are First Nations people. As a member of Council what would you do to ensure that our Indigenous residents, visitors and neighbours feel welcomed and are included as Dryden moves forward?
Answer: The City of Dryden needs to become more involved in actively engaging our First Nations and Indigenous community members. One way we can do this is by meeting with the various Indigenous communities and organizations such as the Dryden Native Friendship Center, the Metis Nation of Ontario, Wabigoon and Eagle Lake First Nations, Treaty 3, Treaty 9 and other groups to establish relationships to gain an understanding of their issues, concerns and opportunities they see as Dryden residents. The City can also take a leadership role in employment of our Aboriginal citizens and work with various levels of government to prepare people for the workplace. I believe that opportunity, education and two way communications are essential in making people feel welcome and included.
Question #5: What would you do to enhance recreational activities and make Dryden more accessible and active?
Answer: Dryden is blessed with excellent recreational facilities and parks. One only needs to look at our ball diamonds, arena and pool complex and the new field house for soccer to see practical examples of this. Going forward, we can enhance our recreational activities by having community based summer programs for youth including baseball and soccer at our field and activities such as pickleball, indoor tennis and roller skating in our arenas. Teaching youth to play squash and racquetball are other activities the city could consider for making Dryden more active. We not only should continue to provide facilities, the City should take a more active role in providing programs.
Question #6: What is the single most important issue facing our newly elected Council in the coming year-and the single most important long term issue for the four-year term?
Answer: The single most important issue facing the new Council is to maintain focus on the city’s economic recovery plan. We need to stay the course on Dryden’s debt recovery and repayment schedule. We have two more years of high debt payments before the City is out of the woods. In 2021 the City’s debt payments drop by approximately $2.7 million. Without a solid financial base, we will NOT be able do many of the things needed to improve our city. This really is a pay me now or pay me later situation. There are several important long term issues that need to be addressed. A top priority issue for the new Council will be to develop a new strategic plan for the city. We also need to continue to focus on fixing Dryden’s roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure. Beyond that, other priorities would include improving the appearance of the city, exploring providing more community gathering places such as a Waterfront Development at our government dock and a Market Square downtown and working with our Indigenous communities and organizations to support the needs of both our new citizens and the community.
Question #7: Why should we vote you to Council?
Answer: I grew up here and Dryden is home for Sarah and I. We love the community, the area and the people. The reason that I am running for a second term is to continue to give back to the community and help move the City forward. I believe the skills I have gained over the past 30 years as an executive in both the forestry and mining industries across North America can be put to good use for the City. I am active in the community. I am currently a City Councilor, a Rotarian and previously served as a member of the Board of Directors at the Dryden Regional Health Centre. I have a high interest in making Dryden successful and am willing to work hard on your behalf to make that happen.
