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Puslinch candidates look to the future

Serious issues, such as human trafficking, speeding, gravel pits, and taxes, were discussed

PUSLINCH — Candidates took time to share their vision for Puslinch four years from now at an election forum Thursday night.

Roughly 70 people attended the event at the Puslinch Community Centre. Candidates along with two acclaimed candidates, all had opportunities to speak.

The six candidates for the four councillor spots include: John Sepulis, Stephanie McCrone, Russel Hurst, Sara Bailey, Jessica Goyda, and Robert Cassolato. 

One issue the councillors present talked about was what they’d like to see accomplished or different in Puslinch, four years from now.

Goyda spoke first and emphasized the social aspect of the community.

“I think that in four years time we will have a community that continues to have good volunteerism, has good community spirit, has good sense of belonging. In terms of what it looks like, I think we will have some really great recreational facilities in place, with some really great programs going for all ages,” Goyda said.

Cassolato spoke second on the matter with strong concern for managing the budget and effectively using taxes.

“I’d love to say in four years from now we’d have neutral budget from a Puslinch Township perspective. Zero increase, that’s what I’d like to say. I can’t deal too much from a county perspective, that portion of the taxes.”

“I’d like to pull apart the budget. I’d like to do a zero cost balancing on the budget and look at it from that perspective. And from there, if there are savings that we look at where those savings can go,” Cassolato said.

Bailey spoke with a desire to see people get the mental health treatment and support that they need.

“One other thing that I’ve noticed while being on the Safe Communities committee is recognizing that there is a big gap in mental health services within Puslinch and what’s available within the county, or within Guelph.

“So a goal of mine is to try to be able to bridge that gap and let everyone know that the different services and be able to bring some of that down towards us in Puslinch,” Bailey said.

Hurst went over four different issues where he’d like to see improvement.

“Less gravel roads, first. Second one, safer roads. I love to see those speeding signs.

“Vibrant youth programs, whether that’s sports or otherwise. I think the success of a rural community, like the one we all live in, is really strong youth and sports programs. So I think that’s really important.”

Hurst placed value on getting the Puslinch budget into a similar state as other comparable municipalities. 

“Budget, I’m less focused on a zero budget. And I think it’s an equitable budget compared to other municipalities that are in the same circumstance as this one,” Hurst said.

McCrone spoke on the issue last. Like Hurst, there were a variety of areas where McCrone was optimistic that the community could improve on.

“I’m with Russel, less gravel roads … I’d like to see a community that is more engaged.

“I know right now they have Engage Puslinch on the township website. I don’t know how that’s working. But there is a demographic in the township that doesn’t go to the website, doesn’t know how to navigate around it. So we need to find other ways to reach out to the community.

“I would like to see, I’m not an IT person, our internet service, something done. Like I’m at home and all of  a sudden it’s gone. I can’t do anything. So whatever that takes to do. And again the speed on the roads, something needs to be done. And I can see that happening in four years,” McCrone said.

Sepulis could not attend as he had COVID. Don Crow read out some comments made for the debate by Sepulis.

“Accordingly, for the position of councillor, I believe that I have the necessary experience in technical, fiscal, legal, and planning matters, and most importantly communicating with the public.

“I have been one of your councillors for the past six years, the chair of the Planning and Development Advisory Committee, and a member of the Lake Erie source water protection committee.

“My overarching goal is to keep Puslinch sustainable by proactively working to keep our taxes low, looking for ways to increase revenues, and addressing the economic, social, and environment issues,” Crow said.

Mayor James Seeley and lone county council candidate Matthew Bulmer were also on hand.

The voting day is Oct. 24.

Jesse Gault is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.