(Town of Renfrew photo, website)
Renfrew’s incumbent mayor heads into the municipal elections with a desire to focus on its potential for growth.
Tom Sidney is seeking a second term as mayor to continue the work currently being done to showcase the town as an attractive space for industrial, commercial, and residential developers, who he says are already knocking on the door to bring more opportunities to town.
Part of that effort will require an ongoing commitment to the town’s secondary plan for development and smart decisions with the available land within town limits.
Sidney has also pledged to work with senior directors to ensure that the town’s budget targets the town’s needs, as well as to do a better job of involving the community in the process and making it transparent and understandable for residents.
That comes as the municipality looks to balance stabilizing its finances with maintaining the quality of services offered, such as roads and infrastructure.
Among his other goals is to increase the visibility of Renfrew and the positive developments happening in the community to attract more eyes from outside interests and boost confidence and pride within the community.
Sidney faces five other candidates in the October 26 municipal election: Jason Legris, Josh Marquardt, Peter Emon, Callum Scott, and Mike Coulas.
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We also 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)
