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Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 5 EFW Continued from pg 2 To keep this garbage guzzling, pollution emitting incinerator going we will have to take garbage from all our neighbouring communities because not enough garbage is supplied for continuous operation. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is being sued by their incinera- tor company because of their lack of garbage supply and the ensuing penalties. Striking a match to light a cigarette causes a minuscule amount of air pollution ­ just imagine the pollution from the garbage incinerator burning thousands of tonnes of garbage. What about the bid process? OPEN AND TRANSPARENT!!! What do you think? There are much better alternatives available ­ it is time for more investigation, before it's too late. Orv Holland Orono JIM ABERNETHY The incumbent, Jim Abernethy, began his political life four years ago when he defeated former Clarington Mayor John Mutton in a landslide victory. Managing Clarington's growth is the most important issue facing the community today, according to Abernethy. In answer to the question, "Why do you want to lead Clarington in the next term?" Abernethy stated, "Clarington is on the cusp of some major infrastructure developments - I have helped lay the groundwork for a prosperous next term of office." Abernethy's volunteer experience prior to seeking elected office four years ago consisted of membership in Rotary International and the Kinsmen Club. To put a halt to the escalation of municipal taxes, specifically as they relate to salaries and benefits of municipal workers, Abernethy says he will start by untying council salary increases from negotiated staff salary increases. Abernethy claims he has returned his past two salary increases to the municipality. "How can we expect our staff to consider receiving less, if members of council are not prepared to set the example," he asked. While it is mandatory for mayors of municipalities that have shares in the utility company Veridian Connection to sit on the Veridian Board, Abernethy says the remuneration paid to board members should instead be paid to the taxpayers who are the Veridian shareholders. For the past four years, Abernethy says he has given his Veridian remuneration to the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. If the Ontario Minister of the Environment says, the proposed incinerator is safe, and approves it, Abernethy says he will support the proposed York/Durham waste incinerator in Courtice. This was Abernethy's response to the question, "Did you support or oppose the incinerator being built in Courtice?" It was wrong for the Province to exempt all wind turbine companies from conducting proper environmental assessments for their wind farm projects, Abernethy stated. As a host community for OPG, Clarington already does enough to keep the lights on in Ontario, according to Abernethy. Developing a comprehensive recycling program for community events would be one green initiative Abernethy would propose. Expanding and improving the network of walking and cycling trails, especially along the Lake Ontario shoreline, as funds become available is another green initiative, Abernethy mentioned. On the question of whether or not the Regional Chair should be MAYORS elected by voters at large, Abernethy said, "I am on record as saying I support an elected Chair." The last question asked of the mayoralty candidates was, "What is the best book you read in the past year." To this question Abernethy responded, "The Municipal Act, again." PAUL ADAMS Paul Adams, a lifelong Clarington resident, declared early in April that he wanted to be the next Mayor of Clarington. Adams says there were three factors paramount in his decision to run for Mayor. First, that property tax increases in Clarington are not sustainable. Second, what he saw as his councillor's lack of response to a flooding incident in his Solina subidision two years ago. Third, "the lack of transparency and strategic decision making" in the process for bringing the proposed garbage incinerator to Clarington. In answer to the question regarding what volunteer organizations the mayoralty candidates belonged to prior to seeking political office, Adams said he has extensive community involvement since the age of 10, through a senior's residence run by members of his extended family in Bowmanville. He has also been the Chair of GM United Way appeal. Adams says he has the "experience and leadership skills that Clarington deserves in their new mayor." This experience and leadership, according to Adams, consist of his 27 years of business experience as a Professional Engineer. The three most important issues or challenges facing Clarington today, as Adams sees it are: escalating property taxes and wasteful spending, diminished employment in Clarington, and concern over the impacts of the proposed incinerator, including health, social, environment and economic impacts. Adams feels the overall impact of wind turbine projects should be understood before determining if they fit our community. To stop the escalation of salaries and benefits for municipal workers, Adams says he will focus on proper fiscal management, conduct accounting audits to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of spending, implement policies that favour small business, tourism, agriculture and strategic development. Asked whether he would consider lowering the $12,000 annual compensation paid by Veridian Corporation to its board members, made up of elected and non elected representatives of their member municipalities for attending four scheduled meetMAYORS see page 7