Candidates clash over development, term limits in Ward 10
How long should a Stoney Creek councillor represent residents at city hall?
For Ward 10 candidate Jeff Beattie, the answer is 12 years, while for Louie Milojevic eight years would be enough.
But for incumbent Maria Pearson - who served nine years on Stoney Creek council before she was first elected to the amalgamated city of Hamilton council in 2003 - there should be no limits placed on a representative's future.
It is actually an insult to the democratic process," Pearson said during a Sept. 20 Cable 14-Spectator debate moderated by Mike Fortune. Voters go to the polls every four years. If I have done my job right the outcome will speak for itself."
But Beattie, a former Stoney Creek school board trustee who ran unsuccessfully against Pearson in 2018, said he supports term limits. Specifically a three-term cap.
As a business owner, if I can't get it done in 10 years, I'm not likely to get it done," said Beattie, who owns and operates Winona Gardens. So I'd be best to step aside and let somebody else take over."
He also said being forced to refresh would be something that brings new ideas to the table and breaks that stagnant culture."
Milojevic - who likewise ran against Pearson in the last municipal contest - said he favours a two-term maximum.
If you stay after eight years you become too friendly with city hall," he said. Democracy is supposed to be friendly but not familiar to the leaders in office. Once it becomes friends and familiar, mistakes are made.
Councillors develop fiefdoms and they do their own thing," he added.
In a spirited hour-long debate that touched on a variety of issues - everything from keeping taxes low to the need for more police officers in Winona, trust and transparency, and pedestrian safety - Beattie and Milojevic emphasized responsible" development in a fast-growing area they say isn't being supported by the existing infrastructure.
Right now we have development for development's sake," said Milojevic, a former historian who operates an investment firm.
Beattie said development plans for Stoney Creek will overwhelm the mature neighbourhoods."
He said Stoney Creek residents will see six times the density in their community.
What kind if infrastructure is going to support that?" he said.
But Pearson countered development is being conducted in a responsible" way. She said the idea is when a development is built, infrastructure follows. Pearson also noted that over the next decade Stoney Creek will receive about $77 million in road improvements, recreation facilities and other amenities.
Beattie said residents can't wait a decade for money to trickle down to fund infrastructure projects that are needed immediately. He identified about $6.9 million in available funding that could be spent now on various projects.
Milojevic said residents are feeling disconnected from what is happening to their neighbourhoods as councillors, staff and developments make decisions virtually.
They feel they are being dictated to," he said.
Who was there
Present Jeff Beattie, Louis Milojevic, Maria Pearson (incumbent)
Absent None