Vote For Change, Vote Phil Warland

Unfortunately I didn't get elected

2010-10-26T11:26:00.002-04:00

When I went into this election I had one primary goal and a secondary goal.

My primary goal was to have my name recognised in the community and that goal I achieved. My secondary goal was to get elected. Unfortunately I didn't achieve the second goal so I have mixed emotions at this point. Make no mistake if I decide to run in the next election I will be better prepared and have a better idea of what I will have to do. There were a number of personal challenges that I faced in this election, whether it be the work that had to be done on my house, the several weekends I had to work or getting bronchitis in the final week or all the rain in September. I could have overcome these thing with better preparation.

I'd like to thank all the people who voted for me or sent emails or phone call of encouragement, but specifically I'd like to thank John McGrath and Shaun McLaughlin who put the time and energy into my campaign that turned an unknown commodity into someone who garnered 25% of the vote.

Thanks

Saturday at Seven Jam

2010-10-16T13:16:00.001-04:00

For those who were wondering about the Jam tonight here is word from our sponsor;

"Just a reminder we'll be meeting at the White Lake Fire Hall for this Saturday's
jam.

Also wanted to let you know a new well is being drilled at the Cedar Hill School
House today - I drove by there this morning and the well-drilling crew was hard
at work - so for Novembers session we will be back at the School House.
See you Saturday.
Wayne"

More surveys

2010-10-15T09:21:00.004-04:00

Good morning, Phil! Attached is a short survey from the MAAP group representing Almonte's downtown businesses. You can return the completed survey to me and I will ensure that it is posted to the http://www.downtownalmonte.ca/ web site.

Thanks!

Susan
Susan E. Wright & Associates
613-730-2020
susan@suzwright.com

1) In your view what are the top three things that can be done to keep downtown Almonte healthy and vibrant?
2) How do you think the local municipal government can help downtown districts attract and sustain local businesses?
3) To what degree to you believe the Town has a responsibility to participate as a partner and/ or funder of downtown marketing initiatives?
4) What do you think can be done to attract more businesses to downtown Almonte?
5) What do you think can be done to attract more visitors/tourists to downtown Almonte and the surrounding area?
6) What do you think could be done to encourage more residents of Mississippi Mills to patronize downtown businesses and shop local?
7) What are your views about municipal signage by-laws that determine the kind of on-store signs and other promotional signage allowed in downtown Almonte?
8) What unique features of downtown Almonte do you think need to be highlighted in marketing campaigns?
9) What are your suggestions regarding prime street level space that is not being used as storefronts and leaves the impression that there are many empty stores?
10) In what ways would you be prepared to help MAAP meet its objectives as Mayor or Town Councillor?
11) Do you have any final comments or advice for MAAP?

I replied;

I apologize Susan, I am running for Council in the Pakenham Ward. I therefore represent the concerns and interests of the people of Pakenham. The future of Almonte's downtown is best left to the Councillors who represent the Almonte Ward and the Mayor. The singular focus of your survey to the exclusion of the Village of Pakenham gives me pause. I encourage you to read the following link on my website for further details.

I shall therefore not be participating in your survey.

Regards,

Phil Warland
Candidate for Council - Pakenham Ward
http://www.phil4council.ca/

Phil in the News

2010-10-14T12:56:00.000-04:00

Here are some links of me in the local newspapers.

http://www.emcalmontecarletonplace.ca/20101007/news/Phil+Warland+puts+his+name+in+to+run+for+Pakenham+Ward+councillor

http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/880854--septage-charges-take-centre-stage-at-pakenham-ward-debate

http://www.emcalmontecarletonplace.ca/20101007/news/Pakenham+Ward+all-candidates+meeting+draws+a+crowd

2010-10-14T06:59:00.008-04:00

Voting in the 2010 Election

The Mississippi Mills municipal voting method for 2010 is by Internet or telephone. You can vote from home without the complications of the mail-in ballot used in the last election.

Many people have already received their voting credentials: a PIN number that identifies them; the URL for Internet voting; a phone number for telephone voting; voting instructions; and, information on the Voter Help Centers.

If you don't have your letter by October 12, contact the Town (256-2064) to see if you are on the voters list.

You can use the Internet to vote any time between 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 18 and 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 25. Your PIN number becomes invalid once used by either voting method.

Help With Voting

Voters can get help with online voting at the Municipal Office during regular business hours from October 18 to 22. As well, the Town will set up Voter Help Centers at the Municipal Office, Almonte Old Town Hall, and Stewart Community Center on Saturday October 23 from 10 AM to 4 PM, and at those three locations October 25 from 10 AM to 8 PM.

Voting for Seniors

Travelling Voter Help Centers will visit seniors housing throughout Mississippi Mills. All Voter Help Centers will include touch screens for people not comfortable with Internet use.

Did You Know

If you are not on the voters list you can simply show up at one of the voting centers with proper ID during the dates and times listed above register and vote... no worries.

I Promise to replace the breathing equipment for Pakenham Fire Department

2010-10-13T09:57:00.000-04:00

Yeah I know it's hard as a would be councillor to promise anything, however if I am elected I will do whatever I can to have funds put aside to replace the 20+ year old air equipment for the Pakenham volunteer Fire Department. Hey they volunteer to take time out of their lives to give back to the community, the least we can do is give them decent equipment. A single fire is more than enough fires to substantiate the cost. Breathing equipment is far more important than a NEW vehicle for the Fire Chief, I should know I have allergy induced asthma. When you can't breath, nothing else matters.

I met a man who can't vote for me

2010-10-10T07:21:00.003-04:00

Dale Bradley is 85 years old and has history on my farm. Apparently he helped Grant Anderson plant many of the trees on my property 10's of thousands, his son also replaced with wooden shingling on the orignial house on the property. Dale also talked about a fiddle was in the house. He made it work. Anyway what an interesting fellow, it was a plesure meeting him.

You Matter

2010-10-09T07:22:00.000-04:00

When I listen to current Councillors, they take in what citizens’ say then read all the relevant information and then they do whatever they like anyway.

For some reason Councillors think that their long list of achievements entitles them the ability to make decisions that are in your best interest. If you're like me, you certainly don't need someone telling you what's in your best interest.

Position - I won't pretend that I know everything about everything. There are plenty of Pakenham residents as well as residents of Mississippi Mills who do have knowledge that I shall require in the process of being your Councillor. What this means is I will be looking to you the residents of Pakenham for the answers and less on the town or other councillors. The most important thing I can say on this issue is I need your input, not only now but after the election.

The Debt

2010-10-09T07:07:00.001-04:00

Currently our Town is $6.6 million dollars in debt and this will rise to $15 million by 2012 due to the Waste Water Treatment Plant which the Town has financed their 1/3 of the costs in its entirety. This is very short sighted and I would be in favour of taking the hydro revenues and putting it on our debt, that way we all share in the hydro revenues.

Position: Ultimately we need to STOP spending money we don’t have. We also need to separate the requirements of the community into the needs to haves versus the nice to haves.

Sewage Treatment Plant

2010-10-08T07:22:00.002-04:00

In discussions with rural residents, they tell me they don't want to pay one red cent for something they may never use. I agree. If the haulers are charged a tipping fee and that fee is passed on to the customer then that's fine. Rural residents tell me they don't mind paying for something they use but NO TAXES, NO LOT LEVIES and NO DEVELOPMENT CHARGES. If elected I will do what it takes to ensure their wishes are put on the Council table.

Position - Sadly I think that the septage levy will already have been passed prior to the elect or at least before the new council sits. I am against any additional charge to the rural community above and beyond tipping fees for the sewage treatment plant.

Cycling in Mississippi Mills

2010-10-07T07:34:00.002-04:00

I received the following email from the Bike Man Jeff Mills;

As a candidate in the upcoming municipal election, the advocacy side of Bicycle Month, RIMM (Riding in Mississippi Mills), urges you to complete a short questionnaire as drafted by the Ontario cycle advocacy group, “Share the Road Cycling Coalition.” We are interested in sharing your views on healthy active communities.

Please follow the link and complete the survey by Friday Oct 8th so that a summary of the results can be published the following week.

Good luck with your candidacy and our kindest regards to the new Mississippi Mills council.

http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=128473612332

Jeff Mills
Chair, Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month

**********************************************************************************
I responded to Jeff directly via email;

I must apologize, Jeff, I can not endorse your pledge. Make no mistake, I am all for healthy communities, I walk on average 8km per day and while canvassing I could easily double that number. I park almost a km from work just for the walk.

This leads to my reservations. Being a pedestrian, I have as many issues with cyclists as you and your group have with motor vehicles; things like riding on sidewalks, riding the wrong way down a one-way road or riding on the wrong side of the road, not stopping at stop signs and traffic lights and not yielding at pedestrian crosswalks. As a motorist I have concerns about riders riding two abreast, not using hand signals and worst of all when a cyclist passes a long line up of cars stopped at a red light on the right hand side when there is no dedicated lane. All of these things are illegal and I see these acts everyday without exception. Ultimately when these illegal acts of cyclists are the exception and not the rule I will be more than happy to endorse your pledge.

Respectfully,

Phil Warland
Candidate for Council - Pakenham Ward
http://www.phil4council.ca/

***********************************************************************************
To which I received the following reply;

From: Jeff Mills

Sent: October 6, 2010 16:48
To: phil4council xplornet.ca
Subject: RE: Mississippi Mills Bicycle Month - Healthy Community Pledge

Phil
Thank you for your response. Your comments are duly noted.
Best of luck with your electoral race.
Jeff

***********************************************************************************
Ultimately as a would be Councillor how can I support and activity whose average participant breaks more highway traffic laws than they obey.

Severances

2010-10-03T09:43:00.003-04:00

As I visit more and more rural folks, severances are a big topic, but why? Why is so hard to get severances? You would think that with the increased revenue potential, severances should be a no brainer. Mostly the reason has to do with property soil types and there are various types, but the problem is soil types are based on 1000 hectares and therefore most properties are painted with the same brush and the answer is NO.

Position - Instead of 1000 hectares it should be 100 acres and not only that, greater input from the landowner needs to occur. Also the powers that be should have to visit the potential severed lot and that power should have to prove why the specific property can not be severed based on real data.

Sharing Hydro Revenues

2010-10-03T09:15:00.008-04:00

Did you know the TransCanada Pipeline pays property taxes of $165,885 annually to Mississippi Mills, of this over $138,000 or over 82% comes from the Pakenham Ward followed by Ramsay at 12% and 6% from Almonte. All this goes into the general coffers.

Since amalgamation all the hydro revenues have gone to the Almonte Ward. This was to offset the water and sewer charges. Now we have a bigger more powerful generating station and is slated to generate almost $8 million over the next 20 years.

Note: No Town tax money or Almonte Ward funds financed the new hydro generation plant. The MRPC borrowed $19 million and will repay the loan and interest from selling power for an estimated $2.1 million yearly.

When the Town transferred its transmission lines to the Ottawa River Power Corp (ORPC), ORPC agreed to pay 7.5% interest on the value of the assets ($902,490) over 20 years. This amounts to about $65,000 each year until 2022, for an addition $780,000 in revenue. That money goes to Almonte Ward too.

The four Almonte Ward Councillors, with support from Mayor Al Lunney and Pakenham Ward Councillor Denzil Ferguson, have stopped any effort by progressive Councillors, such as John Edwards, to amend the by-law to allow sharing. The next Council can change the by-law to mandate sharing the hydro revenue. First, we must elect people who believe all wards should be treated equally.

Position - Look, it's not the Almonte River, it's the Mississippi River and if we're to be one big happy family then we share all revenue streams.

The 3 Wards

2010-10-03T08:49:00.005-04:00

More than once has the issue of eliminating the electoral wards come up and mayoralty candidate John Levi wants to bring this issue forward again. There are three types of residents in Mississippi Mills;

Urban - these residents generally live in the Almonte and are on Town services, water and sewer for example.
Villages, Hamlets and Clusters - these residents live in neighbourhoods like Pakenham, Clayton for example and share some form of commonality even if it's just a community center, but no Town services. Generally these residents are retired, semi retired or commute to work.
Rural - these residents typically have acreage, work the land in some form or another and when the going gets tough they generally look to each other first before they look to the Town.

These distinct types of residents are outlined in the Community Official Plan as being an important characteristic that is Mississippi Mills, therefore each should be represented at the Council table. Also because the Municipal offices are not centrally located, it is therefore highly unlikely that many in Pakenham will run for council as it is just too far away.

Position - Let me be perfectly clear, I will never be in favour of eliminating the ward system and I'd like the mayority candidates to explain to me how they can justify the ellimination of the wards system while the Almonte Water & Sewer subcommittee still exists.

Council Meetings

2010-10-03T08:39:00.001-04:00

Many of our Pakenham residents live the better part of an hour drive if they wish to attend council meetings. Most of Mississippi Mills is now serviced with high-speed Internet. We should take advantage of this by web casting all council meetings. This can be accomplished at a reasonable cost.

Almonte

2010-10-01T04:32:00.004-04:00

Whether based on fact or innuendo there is a real feeling that the rural folks in Pakenham are paying Almonte's way. We don't like it, we didn't vote for it but alas we're stuck with it. Current Council seems to think that as Almonte goes so goes Mississippi Mills.

In fact the opposite is true, Ramsay and Pakenham were viable prior to amalgamation. Residents feel we were doing just fine before amalgamation and now nothing but tax increases with no nothing to show.

Position - This is the perception. This is one of the reasons I am running for Council, it is the unspoken monkey sitting in the council chambers. I will lobby the Mayor to push the Minister of Municipal Affairs to increase the base population for the requirement to provide programs and services from 10,000 residents to 15 or more thousand residents. OR failing that look into having the Minister make the minimum size of a Municipalities' urban core 8-10 thousand residents. We simply can't afford many of these programs that only benefit Almonte.

Special Sewage Treatment Plant Council meeting Last night

2010-09-01T07:59:00.002-04:00

As the title tells you I was at the council meeting last night, where council was to see if the Almonte councillor's proposal that all costs associated with the Waste Water Treatment Plant be covered by the residents of Almonte was viable. After much discuss, most of which was off topic the consensus was that it was not viable. To save face, Council voted to strike up a Septage Component sub-Committe. Councillor Ferguson wanted to have council at least have a vote for tipping fees stating "tipping fees were as fundamental as cheese and apple pie."

Okay so I'm not origianlly from the country and I often question my wife's family about polluting perfectly good apple pie with ice-cream, but cheese????

Comments??
Vote 4 Phil
http://www.phil4council.ca/

In Lovely Montreal

2010-08-28T07:58:00.001-04:00

Well after an enjoyable evening on Cresent(sp) Street, which they close to traffic, we are about ready to head to the track to watch qualifying and the Rolex GT race. She's going to be a hot one. Better get the Tilley hat on.

I could use a vacation

2010-08-25T07:52:00.001-04:00

If work hasn't been keeping me up until all hours of the night, I am cleaning up the siding from my house and re-chinking the logs. Hopefully you have been able to see the new look from the highway. It's a lot of work and I was hoping to do it next year but the powers that be says NOW. If, during the week you see me in the afternoon up on a ladder or on the scaffolding and you want to talk politics, drop in and say hi.

So fortunately, I'll be heading to Montreal this weekend for said vacation as I take in the NASCAR race.

Phil
I don't want your money.. just your vote.

What a busy day

2010-08-10T07:55:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was one of the busiest days I've had in a while. Work was non-stop from 06:00 right until 14:00, then I had to go to CTC in Kanata to get two spark plugs for the tractor (got the other two on Sunday at CTC in CP). Then get gas, then go to Bill Duncan's Landhandler Mfg & Retail Center to have Harrold fix the lower unit of my motor for the boat. Then home to clean the tractor engine, replace the spark plugs, change the oil and put on the shrowd. I wish to thank Ed Charbonell who dropped by and gave me a hand putting the screws back in the shrowd or I would not have finished by 20:00. It was nice to see Ed as I saw him Sunday at the Corn Relish event at the Cedar Hill Schoolhouse and he left early very unwell. He looked a tonne better last night.

Supper (Dinner) what supper, just went to bed.

I hope today is a little quieter.

Eco Tax

2010-07-20T07:19:00.005-04:00

Interesting, the Government is dumping the ECO fee. This was, in my opinion, an illegal tax. It was imposed by a non-governmental agency, Stewardship Ontario, and therefore had no authority to impose any tax, levy or fee. The saying no tax without representation applies here. Yes Stewardship Ontario is required to collect fees from manufacturers to offset costs of post use recycling of everything and manufacturers could pass along these costs to the consumer, but not as a tax, levy or fee.

I was surprised when I heard about this fee, being a member of the Mississippi Mills Waste Diversion Committee. Something in all the documentation I had read did not measure up with this fee. Anyway, it is one step closer to having the customer stop doing the post use work of separating their recyclables, which is the ultimate goal.

Phil Warland
Candidate for Councillor, Pakenham Ward

What the fed's are doing

2010-07-19T09:45:00.002-04:00

I came across this link to a website, you may be interested in.

http://farmwars.info/?p=3288

my weekend

2010-07-19T09:39:00.007-04:00

I had a spectacular weekend on the water sailing our laser

http://na.laserperformance.com/laser/home

The wind was unbelievable, almost to the point were there was too much wind and I couldn't get the boat to turn away from the wind.

Long Canada Day Weekend

2010-07-05T12:17:00.005-04:00

Well my plans, or lack thereof, sorted themselves out. I spent Canada Day festivities with my sister and her husband at Danby's in Munster. Friday I had taken as vacation and eventually made my way up to the Cottage and spent the evening all the way to Pike Lake. On the way back the wind start coming up, so I paddled like mad to get back so I could watch the sunset sailing the Laser. Normally I'd watch the sunset from a kayak but was able to get a good sail in while watching the sun go down.

Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn and with everyone up at the cottage, I decided to take a walk all the way to where we used to walk to meet Dad when he used to come to the cottage on Wednesdays. Back then we used to spend from the moment school ended in June to the Monday of Labour Day up at the cottage and we used to hike to meet Dad. It's about at 4 or 5km walk one way. Later the wind was up so I spent most of the day sailing.

Sunday I left for home and made the Strawberry Social at the Cedarhill Schoolhouse with my guitar and bass. We played for about an hour and enjoyed Cedarhill Berries.

VisitorMap.org

2010-06-30T07:18:00.001-04:00

Get a FREE visitor map for your site!

Happy Canada Day

2010-06-30T07:00:00.006-04:00

Normally I'm in a pretty festive mood around Canada Day, but this year not so much. I don't have my new flag up. I don't have my celebration plans set in stone. I wonder if it's the HST (Help Save Toronto) tax which gets implemented for our Canadian Birthday. I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me what is wrong with Dalton McGuinty's brain? You know if he was really trying to be a nice politician he'd have lowered the percentage a couple of points.

I really believe that these politicians should have their salaries more in line with the rest of us so that they feel the sting of new taxes. Now make no mistake, it's true that over 80% of items will not be affected and booze should actually be cheaper. But having your living expenses increase 8% across the board is a tough pill to swallow one that politicians won't notice because of their gynormus salaries and of course the accompanying INDEXED pensions.

But ultimately what do they care about you??

Phil 4 Council
Vote 4 Phil

Out and about weekend

2010-06-28T06:25:00.002-04:00

Friday afternoon I spent with a long time friend discussing campaign strategy.

Saturday Morning I went to Perth to take in the The Lanark County Western Horse Club show in the rain. Attendance showed. While there I was asked if I knew how to work the P.A. Board. I happily obliged.

Sunday my wife, Cindy took me up to Pembroke to participate in the Laurentian Valley Team Penning event. First time for me as a participant and I had a good time, but am I every sore.

New addition to the planet

2010-06-25T08:55:00.002-04:00

Congradulations to Dawn (Schlievert) and Andrew Hamilton on the Birth of their first child a girl born about 04:00 this morning, over 9 lbs.

Big shake-up at North Grenville municipal office

2010-06-24T09:29:00.000-04:00

Being the Chair of the Mississippi Mills Waste Diversion Committee, I attended a Waste Diversion Ontario(WDO) workshop yesterday afternoon at the North Grenville Municipal Offices in Kemptville when the Earthquake happened.

Apparently there are a lot of provincial dollars available for waste diversion plans. We've been contacted by Carleton Place to join with them in coming up with a strategy. Alone there is 2/3rds funding, if we join CP in our strategy we could get up to 90% funding.

This past weekend

2010-06-23T07:14:00.001-04:00

Had a lovely time up at the cottage which we celebrated our 40th anniversary with our neighbours from Rochester NY. We also gave a toast to Everett McParland who passed away at home across the lake in his 90th year.

Saturday I spent the afternoon sailing our Laser in gale force winds, it's been awhile since I've gone that, wow does that boat ever fly.

You'd Figure

2010-06-22T07:50:00.000-04:00

You'd figure that since I've been an IT Consultant for over 20 years I'd be better at this. However, like big government I have issues with a computer telling me what's in my best interest.

Phil 4 Council
Vote 4 Phil