Roger Valley Running for Mayor
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: Cannabis is a legal product in Canada now and is available thru the mail right now in Dryden. If we don’t allow shops to set up in Dryden then they will be just outside our boundaries. Also the Provincial government has suggested that communities who opt in will have the ability to access some Provincial funds to help offset Police costs associated with Cannabis. If this happens then I think we should allow for the sale of Cannabis in Dryden and let the market decide how many stores there are.
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: I have always supported the Dryden Police Service. With this new information coming, we will know how much it will cost to have the OPP police our community. We then have to engage our citizens in public forums to find out what they want policing to look like in Dryden. If we transfer to the OPP, we can never go back. We also know that OPP policing costs tend to go up after a few years into the contract. We also stand to lose many of the services we get from the DPS that the OPP will not provide, so Council will be put in the position of having to make a decision without complete information and without knowing what future costs we will have to pay for OPP services. This is one of those times that a public referendum may be needed to help make a huge irreversible decision that the residents will have to live with. For that reason I would support a referendum.
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: The Fire Service has been thru a very tough year and we need to review what is actually working for the citizens of Dryden. Everyone talks about adequate service when I think the people of Dryden deserve the best in Fire Protection we can provide. The current work experience program is in place because that was the option chosen by council at that time. We need administration and the Fire Chief to review our fire service from top to bottom and make a long term plan for Dryden`s future in Fire Protection.
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: Dryden has a lot of work to do to improve relationships with our neighbours and friends in the First Nations communities. We can start by reaching out to sister communities of Wabigoon and Eagle Lake First Nation communities. We share a lot of the same challenges and desires for our people. We can participate in local politics and events which help break down barriers. We can treat each other with respect and help each other when we deal with other governments or agencies. Dryden has always been a natural hub in Northwestern Ontario and we can do more to make our community a warm inviting place for all First Nation residents and guests.
Question #5: What would you do to enhance recreational activities and make Dryden more accessible and active?
Answer: All of our recreational facilities need more money in maintenance and repairs. We have plans in place to upkeep our buildings but Council has not funded these plans. Both Federal and Provincial governments have programs in place to make these areas more accessible, but we haven’t manage to access any money. If we can reinvest in our recreational facilities we will have more activity and opportunity for all users. This has to be a priority for the next Council.
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 most important issue facing this new Council will be to balance the debt repayments with putting money back into our streets, sidewalks, buildings and sewer and water projects. We need to make this town safe for our residents and our visitors. It doesn’t have to be all one way or the other when we talk about town finances. If Council has the will to put more money back into our infrastructure, we can start the rebuilding of our community. The most important long term goal has to be the continued efforts to repay our debt. The City will never be free to spend what it needs to fix this town until we are free of that debt load. A balanced approach is what is needed now.
Question #7: Why should we vote you to Council?
Answer: I would be honoured to be the next Mayor of Dryden. I have the experience, the leadership skills and the desire to be a full time Mayor for this community. I will also respect all the citizens of Dryden. Thanks Roger Valley.
