MPP McNaughton’s Motion Irks Mayor Randy Hope
A local politician’s private members bill is aimed at giving the people a voice, but it’s stirring up some controversy.
“I don’t have that kind of money to throw around on a referendum,” said Mayor Hope.
And he also expressed concerns that more regulations might drive away businesses that are looking at locating in Ontario. He says the power to decide should be put in the hands of the municipality because the council is elected to make decisions on behalf of the public.
“We don’t get concerns from people whether a Walmart or a business wants to come into our community,” said Hope, “It’s the power of council to listen and to engage what it’s community desires.”
But McNaughton disagrees. He says gambling and casinos are very sensitive issues for some communities, so the local people should have the power to make the decisions for themselves.
debergh
April 28, 2012 at 8:55 pm
private member bills hardly ever get passed.
Michael Cowtan
April 28, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I agree with Hope, this is just stupid. Where is the money coming from?, what about the delays? This is the second time McNaughton has POed the local mayors. We would like to see some co-operation so that things can get done.
JeffS
April 30, 2012 at 3:05 pm
So cooperation in your mind is simply bending over to take whatever the powers to be are looking to give? I like that McNaughton is shaking things up a bit. Seems to me he holds the interest of the people in mind more than maintaining power and earning revenue.
not a gambler
April 30, 2012 at 2:08 am
Mayor Hope says “I’ do not have that kind of money – it is not “his” money – it is ours. And Council has not always shown itself capable of hearing the voices of the people.
A casino is not a Walmart – it has repercussions on a community – including drawing in vulnerable members of society with gambling problems. Casinos also bring in undesirable elements –
a referendum would make sure the wider public has a say before something like this comes to our small community.
Why not do the referendum electronically – how much can that cost?
Chris Lozon
April 30, 2012 at 12:32 pm
In light of this morning’s story on the radio that Ontario is seeking privatization alternatives for gambling and gaming venues, I believe it is prudent to seek alternative channels for community input as these decisions become subject to involvement by fewer and fewer public officials.
Mr. McNaughton is correct – Casinos require different levels of public scrutiny than would a Walmart, as do landfills…or wind turbines. In my view, he is simply trying to represent the interests of his constituents – not just the 16% of CK’s eligible voters who elected its Mayor – by preserving the potential for public input to a socially sensitive issue.
Mayor Hope is probably correct in that WE likely don’t have the money to conduct traditional referendum on a singular issue, but we need only to look into our own backyard (quite literally for some) – as well as our own downtown – to concede that there are also costs associated with rushing into community investment decisions without the proper level of public input, costs which are ultimately to be borne by all taxpayers.
Jennifer
April 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I would say, I have to agree with at least the principle of MPP McNaughton’s bill,
Mayor Hope and the rest of his team have shown repeatedly, that they do not listen to the community.
JeffS
April 30, 2012 at 2:53 pm
“We don’t get concerns from people whether a Walmart or a business wants to come into our community,” said Hope, “It’s the power of council to listen and to engage what it’s community desires.” ~ Right! When the hell does that happen? It’s not about the money. The city of Chatham could simply take the money from the surrounding amalgamated communities to finance the referendum just like Chatham has done to achieve its’ current growth rate. The word in that quote that says it all is ‘power’! Randy Hope just doesn’t want to lose his power.
God forbid the people of this free country have a say. We should just trust those we elect into office ~ like the options are so grand. This day and age, what with the internet and all, referendums should not be so costly. It’s simply an excuse to keep the power in the hands of the government.
nkscooop
April 30, 2012 at 3:26 pm
You’re absolutely right Jeffs, it’s all about power. Hope wants it all in his hands and his chosen few who agree with everything he says. A real puppetmaster if ever there was.
Billyea
April 30, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Most people don’t realize what damage a Casino does to a local Economy and to families. The cost of a referendum is peanuts compared to the tens of millions that are sucked out an economy by Casinos.
Adrian
April 30, 2012 at 11:37 pm
This bill is just politics. As the media reported earlier this month, McGuinty said no casino would be placed in any community that didn’t want it.
By the way, how many people supported the slots in Dresden? That town didn’t even want Sunday shopping.
Too bad we didn’t have referendum on the slots.
John
May 1, 2012 at 2:08 am
Watch out Hope and Council!! Voters are getting tired of the wishy washy bull crap…
Start paying attention or you may become unemployed!!
We voted you in and we can vote you out!
We don’t have money for a referendum ;but we gave “The Beaten Dead Horse Capitol” A WAD of cash few years back didn’t we.. oops I mean didn’t you!!
Just my 2 cents!
Regards
John