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ELECTION 2014: Candidate QandA with Mike Barwick

Candidate QandA with councillor candidate Mike Barwick in Sidney
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Mike Barwick

Occupation:  Delivery and Sales for Eagle Propane Sales.

Background:

I am a Sidney taxpayer and homeowner for close to 10 years. I have over 20 years in municipal experience answering directly to the taxpayers. I have accumulated over 30 years in coaching and executive positions in minor sports including baseball, soccer, hockey and curling.

 

1.  Why are you running for council?

I am running to represent the Town of Sidney.  As a hardworking man with a young family, a homeowner, and a ratepayer in Sidney I feel I reflect the interests and values of all families that have been raised or are being raised in this town.  I want my children to have a place they can be proud of!.

 

2.  What are your top three issues to tackle, if elected?

1. I feel we need to do something to change election laws that allow for candidates that do not live in the municipality to seek election.

2. Sidney needs taxation balance and accountability.  As a realist I know that death and taxes are unavoidable. To maintain our infrastructure and our amenities it costs money. Mayor and council need to be held accountable for their decisions.

3. Let’s get young families working on the Peninsula, living on the Peninsula. Sidney needs to work with our neighbour municipalities to make sure we are all on the same page.

 

3.  Is council’s relationship with the business community adequate and what would you change if elected?

Mayor and council have done an excellent job weathering a very difficult time. They have enabled our business owners to help themselves by directly contributing to the establishment of the Sidney BIA. If elected I intend to continue to help our BIA thrive and just as importantly begin to implement the findings and suggestions from the Mayor’s Task Force on business.

 

4.  What sort of balance should Sidney seek to achieve on its waterfront land?

I believe we need to look at the Seaport property as an example of misguided thinking. There are candidates running in this election that signed a long term lease for this property that basically ties the hands of the Town. Sidney must make sure we do our diligence in making sure we do not contribute or allow development on the water to affect eco sensitive regions.  Any development on our waterfront needs input from the public and all other stakeholders to make proper and often irreversible decisions.

 

5.  How would you contribute to people’s enjoyment in living, working and playing in Sidney?

If elected I will work as hard as possible to make our town the best place to raise a family, retire and shop locally in.