"Views expressed by our individual members
may or may not reflect those of the Chamber"
Paul Neville on Michael Warren's letter and Chamber survey
Letter on Chamber Survey by Michael Warren
Chamber Media Release on 'Life in Owen Sound' Survey Results
Life in Owen Sound Survey results and your comments!
Archive:
Reprint of Dave Moyer's article in 'Make It Your Business' on Chamber Advocacy
Emergengy Services:Our Own Adult Conversation...John Tamming Letter to Sun Times Editor
Chamber President's deputation to City Council - March 29
Chamber letter to MP Larry Miller re Bill C-386
Chamber letter to Bill Murdoch re HST postiion
Tough questions including one from Andy VanDolder revealing just how much property tax he pays on his new facility were faced by our Mayor February 19, at the Annual Chamber's Mayor's Lunch...Here is write up by Kristy Beck ....
Mayor's Luncheon 2010
On February 19, Chamber members were invited once again to participate in what has become one of the most successful Chamber events, The Mayor’s Luncheon. This event offers the Chamber membership an opportunity to voice concerns, ask for answers and witness first hand, the transparency we expect of our local government. They are given the chance to post questions directly to our Mayor. Mayor Ruth Lovell-Stanners graciously attends, often unaware of what she may be asked by the membership.
With the recent news that The City of Owen Sound will likely see a 3-6% increase in its taxes, many of the questions focused on this issue. The advocacy committee wanted to know why our Emergency Services costs are so high – higher than even a large city like Toronto. Mayor Lovell-Stanners agreed that the costs are quite high, however, stated that there is very little that the city can do about this. She discussed Court Services as an issue as well as policing and fire. Owen Sound foots the entire bill for the local Court Services, while other smaller municipalities surrounding Owen Sound use the services and are not required to commit any funds for the maintenance of this system. Andy Vandolder addressed his individual business tax situation saying that he pays a staggering $1900/week in taxes already and is now faced with another increase. He stated that that kind of money takes the entrepreneurial spirit away. While the Mayor seemed surprised, in fact, calling it “shocking”, she told him that the City would certainly not stand in the way of an appeal and that in fact she wanted to discuss this in more detail with him.
One of the Chamber members in attendance posed a question with respect to future development and what the Mayor sees coming. She discussed the Regional Health Centre and some of the hopes the City have for it to possibly become a teaching hospital and development of other partnerships. She addressed Georgian College and the marine simulator, our Cultural Centre, the fact that we are very unique in our commercial offerings being the largest centre for the area. Mayor Lovell-Stanners also addressed the issue of job creation in our community. She noted that although her own children left Owen Sound to pursue their education and begin their careers, they have a desire to return to the area in the future. With the lack of jobs available in Owen Sound, it is very difficult for young people to return home to Owen Sound to live and work.
As in the past, the Mayor’s Luncheon was a huge success and it’s fair to say that although some of the issues discussed do not have easy answers or fixes, it is reassuring to know that our elected politicians are accountable to us and want to hear from the people that must live with the consequences of their decisions.
Thank you to the Events Committee and The Business Women’s Network for organizing yet another successful event and to Mayor Ruth Lovell-Stanners for attending. Most importantly, thank you to all the Chamber members and guests who took the time to come out to this important annual event.
