Town of Renfrew photo, website
Protecting affordability, strengthening community services, and restoring trust in local governance are part of Peter Emon’s platform as he is looking to become Renfrew’s next mayor.
The town’s current Reeve and former County of Renfrew Warden has committed to conducting annual reviews of town services and readiness for growth with staff, council, and the community to ensure the town has a handle on potential cost-saving measures like shared services and a steady pipeline of ready-to-go development projects.
It’s part of a plan that will attempt to aggressively restrict the growing tax burden residents are facing.
Another priority for Emon will be the town’s infrastructure, with many of the town’s remaining projects requiring extensive work beneath the surface to complete and a looming need to extend and fortify connecting roads with Highway 17 ahead of its planned expansion.
Part of the push to be ready will be to advocate Renfrew’s federal and provincial partners to increase their funding streams and find other investments that can supply the town with its own revenue.
If elected, Emon will also call on the town to improve the supports and services the community relies on, such as helping seniors age in place through programming at the Golden Age Activity Centre, as well as a new development project to help homeowners create rental units within their homes.
Emon has also committed to creating a monthly mayor’s report and other opportunities that will better communicate with residents about the things being done inside council chambers.
He faces five other candidates in the October 26 municipal election: Callum Scott, incumbent mayor Tom Sideny, Josh Marquardt, Mike Coulas, and Jason Legris.
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We asked all responding Renfrew mayoral candidates the same three questions, with their answers in full below:
Question 1: Renfrew is expected to benefit greatly with the upcoming expansion of Highway 417 and the resulting potential for increased commercial, industrial, and residential opportunities. As mayor, how would you direct town staff to prepare for the economic and population growth?
Question 2: The town is feeling the pinch financially in multiple ways, including a lengthy debenture to cover cost overruns with the Ma-te-Way. Expansion project and volatile market conditions. How would you prioritize the town’s spending to navigate the situation?
Question 3: Beyond economic growth, what do you believe Renfrew needs to do to improve the quality of life for the people who already live here, and what would be your priorities as mayor?
(written by Kasey Egan)
