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CR

Chris Rapin

Candidate for Councillor Ward 1

Bio

Retired music teacher that cares a lot about this community and our residents. Michelle and I have been in New Tecuseth since 1999 when we moved into Beeton (from Trinidad and Tobago!). I've coached every sport going, I crochet potatoes with a great group every Saturday, I run a ukulele club (next meeting is September 16th at Tipsy Fox, 6:30pm and I am present. Really present, like you will see me everywhere!

Platform

Community Driven and Collaborative

Questions

Asked by Jaison Waldman · a month ago

If you are elected to council, which other organizations or groups are you part of or working with that are a pecuniary interest now or previously?

Answer

I work for the Simcoe County District School Board, I’m a member of Kiwanis, and I run a hockey program called Ice Elements that rents ice from the town. I also have a business that lines soccer fields for SSU.

Answered 25 days ago •
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Asked by Jaison Waldman · a month ago

Has any promise been made or given that might be perceived as unethical, or from a source of undue influence (financial or otherwise) Do you have backing from any developers, contractors or their agents?

Answer

I received nothing and have no developer influence whatsoever. Heck, I even follow the sign bylaws!

Answered a month ago
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Asked by Anonymous · a month ago

Do you feel about the 5% tax increase to build another arena before we build a pool?

Answer

I think this question has been asked already.

Answered a month ago
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Asked by Anonymous · a month ago

Do you think it was the right description to build an ice rink over a pool, even though the town desperately needed a pool?

Answer

A pool, a dome, an arena. All cost money after the fact. We pay to build them and we then charge our residents to use them. For me I'd love to see some options that don't charge residents after they are built. Mainly a trail system that works, that actually gets us places from our front door. Parks such as an All Wheels Park that generates options for our youth and our youth at heart. Our economy today is perhaps more dire than it appears. Once development reboots and the development charges start rolling in, perhaps that is the time we revisit these big projects. I do want a pool though, but for now I use the outdoor one on an almost daily occurrence (in season) as well as the Nott, and I have been up to the base as well. We are fortunate to have so many surrounding options.

Here's an outside the box possibility -- What if we sold the NTRC to private business? and did a full reboot on our Town Recreation Centre? I'd love to explore this at least.

Answered a month ago
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What do you want to achieve in the next 4 years to help New Tecumseth become more environmentally sustainable and carbon neutral?

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Answer

I would love to see more solar panels on our buildings for one. I'd also love to see a recycling program that works and lets go a step further and put into our town permits that you must use recyclable materials in your events. Also continue the rain barrel program and investigate other similar opportunities.

Answered a month ago
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Would you support a new Beeton arena, even though it will lead to an approximately 5% property tax for this project alone?

Answer

As it stands now the Beeton Arena is already approved. Those who voted for it are Mayor, Deputy Mayor, councillors Jacks, Biss, Harrison-McIntyre, Cox and Masters.

Answered a month ago
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Seasonal off-leash dog areas

Some municipalities, including Toronto, use seasonal off-leash designations to make better use of park spaces when they aren’t being used for their primary purpose.

Could the Town consider a similar approach here by designating certain sports fields or other suitable public spaces as off-leash dog areas during their off-season? This could provide residents with more legal opportunities to exercise their dogs off leash without requiring the Town to create entirely new dedicated spaces.

Answer

I'd have to think this one through with staff. Right now, for example, my wife and I walk our dogs at Geoff Gaston every once and awhile. We use long leashes. While at the park we see people golfing, personal training and practising soccer, as well as walking dogs. If this park became a off season off leash I think it would still impact some others users. Something to think about though. Currently looking forward to the off leash park in Tree Tops to open up.

Answered a month ago
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Asked by Anonymous · a month ago

In your opinion, what is the best way to reduce homelessness in New Tecumseth? Further, are there any actions you are currently involved in that is meant to help this issue?

Answer

Homelessness is made up of so many things. Many of us attribute it to one thing. However, the genetic makeup of how a person gets to that stage can differ greatly from others. So painting with one brush will not solve it. When we try to do that it ends up making even more problems. A step in the right direction is affordable housing. Another is through support and accessibility to services. I was keenly interested in the Peterborough approach of a Sea Can settlement. I'd love to look at it closer and see if it has applications here in New Tecumseth. I'm currently a member of a couple different organizations/committees that are looking at root causes and possible solutions. We should be willing to learn from other municipalities that further ahead then us.

Answered a month ago
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What exactly have you done for Tottenham, with all the builds more cars on our town lines and the roads have become hazards especially in winter months.

Answer

As with every part of New Tecumseth I make every attempt to reach out to the ward councillor for any additional clarification needed on projects in their area. There have been several down in Tottenham these past 4 years. The paving of the main street is a giant improvement in my opinion. The upgrading of the infrastructure surrounding Tottenham Public is also a great addition. I believe that there is a bypass being planned for Tottenham in one of the upcoming developments. I would hope this would alleviate some of our traffic concerns.

Answered a month ago
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Asked by Anonymous · a month ago

What is your opinion on updating all traffic lights to be more responsive to traffic conditions instead of sitting at lights with no traffic!

Answer

I have no issue with this. It will come down to cost and effectiveness I'm sure. Last week I was on Tottenham Road lights, waiting to turn west on the Industrial Bypass. I waited 7 minutes for the lights to turn green. Two cars actually gave up waiting and went through the red. I contacted Engineering to find out if this was a thing (around Honda time). I was told that the front car hadn't trigger the light. Engineering followed up with the County (their road) and they are going to have a look to see if there is something they can do.

Answered a month ago
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