Growth & Development

I had previously answered the same question above. Thank you :)

Timely issue. There are differences between Data centers and A.I. centers.

As for the disconnect, there is an agenda and communication is not part of the agenda. Masses of data are collected, collated, and used to promote policies.

In Europe, a "digital passport" is proposed to allow individuals to use the internet...all in the name of promoting safety for minors.

promoting internet safety can be as simple as mandating the use of a filterable suffix (.prn, .adu, etc.) But, although this will allow parents/guardians, libraries, companies,, educators to block access to inappropriate sites, it will not allow for the more profitable ability to control information access.

Bill 34 (Canada) has some strengths, but also some inherent weaknesses, or gray areas, which will allow the government to decide on what is and isn't acceptable.

Getting back to your initial question though, data is not something that can be held in a corral and if it is not built here, it can be built across the highway, with the exact same outcome.

Stopping a data center will not prevent government overreach, changing governments or their policies will. Bill c34 is attached here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/safe-social-media-act.html

I don't want them, I'll vote against them.

I will say no to large AI data centres in New Tecumseth.

This isn’t about being against AI or technology. It’s about whether this particular type of development makes sense here, and I don’t believe it does.

We already have serious infrastructure challenges ahead of us. The Town itself says our current water planning does not provide the capacity needed for growth to 2051 and that additional capacity will require significant infrastructure investment. We are currently working on additional groundwater supply, water storage and booster pumping capacity just to support the growth already coming.

I don’t support adding a large AI data centre, with potentially significant electricity and water demands, to that equation. And I don’t believe the relatively small number of permanent jobs typically associated with these facilities justifies dedicating valuable employment land and infrastructure capacity to them.

Our water, power, land and infrastructure are valuable resources. My priority is using them to support our residents, our existing businesses and employment growth that actually brings meaningful jobs to New Tecumseth.

So my answer is clear: if a large AI data centre is proposed in New Tecumseth, I will not support it.

First of all we do y have the water or electrical grid to support.. I’ll be voting no against

Progress requires challenging what we do and why? I support progess and advances in technology. The AI and Data Centre debate is misplaced. Currently I can't find any reason for a technology company to invest in one here, there are numerous options that are better suited. Irrespective, protecting our environment from all forms of pollution and harm is an immediate issue that we should all work on. If the technology makes sense and is not harmful then I would be open to examining the benefits in NewTecumseth.

No, I paid for my own campaign 100% and have no affiliation with any developers, contractors or agents.

Hi Jason,

I do not have any support from delevopers, contractors or their agents or any other sources which may be precieved as illegal, unethical or unscrupulous.

Thanks

Tony Phekoo

Hello Jaison, and others. No, I have not made any promises, commitments, or otherwise to any developer, contractor or agent. In my 30 years as a Realtor, I have not affiliated myself with any specific builder/developer.

Regards,

Peter Barbati

Thank you for your question. I do not take campaign donations from developers, contractors or their agents - I never have.

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

No.

No. I have received no backing, donations, or promises of any kind from developers, contractors, or their agents. My campaign and my positions are entirely my own.

Nothing has been offered. However I have made a pledge to donate Half of the first mayoral paycheck to an undisclosed charity. Additional donations may arise.

As I am not a Tottenham Councillor I will refrain from answering fully, other than to say as the Vice Chair of the Traffic Advisory Committee and a strong advocate for traffic safety initiatives in all of New Tecumseth, I support our Engineering Dept. and their ongoing efforts to increase road safety, as well as any members of Council who put forward a members' motion looking for support on specific ideas related to road hazard improvements.

There is nothing that I can claim to have done for Tottenham. What kind of solutions are you looking for? How would you like me to help?

I'll be straight with you — I'm not on council, so I haven't voted on anything for Tottenham. But the concern behind the question is real: new builds put more cars on the town lines, and winter makes it worse. If elected, I'd push for development to pay for the road upgrades it creates — growth should pay for growth. That means proper winter maintenance on the town lines, traffic measures where the new traffic actually goes, and no more approving builds without the road work to handle them.

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.

I'm not sure why I have been linked to this question. I'm not an incumbent.

What I will say is I too have concerns about our roads and the winter maintenance and when setting my priorities should I be selected I will work together get answers and support the necessities and safety of our roads.

I previously answered this question, posed by another resident. Thank you for the question and hopefully you can see my answer.

The no-growth scenario is unlikely, due to Provincial mandates and the need to expand the tax base to offer relief to existing tax payers, while also allowing for growth for area business and service providers. It is a tricky balance; growing and still maintaining the character of a smaller town. The downtown will stay much the same as the buildings are historical and architectural controls can be put in place for homes and storefronts (to a degree). I have visited other communities where franchise operations are housed in buildings which blend with the area architecture (parts of North Carolina, Niagara region, etc.). This is not new. One of the best ways to maintain the character of a smaller community is to have walking trails and alternative passages to parts of town, lessening the need for vehicles.

The growth targets can become overpowering, but by placing strict architectural guidelines in place, even the builders of entry level homes can build homes which fit the cultural environment.

Character and quality of life are part of why I live here also. Part of what I consider as quality of life are the services provided.

Greater economies of scale are beneficial for everyone except those who don't want competition. The narrative the we resist growth discourages business investment.

Every small town in Southern Ontario can make the same claims, as New Tecumseth. So if we want to have a say in our growth we must get over the limiting beliefs that growth is not good.

We can generate employment and prosperity, there is no reason to wait for Queens Park to impose anything on us. Many big cities are also great places to live. Planning for transportation parks, parking, schools and so much more should not be a reaction to the provinces plans.

We can meet growth targets by utilizing unused properties and allowing second dwellings in basements where possible — gentle density that fits the town. What we should avoid is tall buildings that change the character of our community.

New Tecumseth is uniquely situated. Close to the GTA and the largest urban area in Canada, a couple hours away from unspoiled natural beauty and located near the some of the worlds leading employers. It is no surprise that people who move here want to protect it. But the feeling of keeping others out stems from a history of prioritizing growth instead of residents. As Mayor I will ensure that any development adds to our town rather than extracts from it. That includes preserving the character of our towns, historical districts and commercial spaces.

Even without development our community is changing. As property values increase at a rate unmatched by wages, our demographic also changes. More people working in the city for example. Work days starting at 6am with a commute and ending at 6pm. We need to encourage companies to come to New Tecumseth that pay a wage that matches the costs of living in New Tecumseth. Hopefully this occurs as our population grows? We also need to continue investing in our BIAs. Our small businesses are a big factor in small town charm.

I don’t think there is a simple answer to this question, and I don’t want to pretend there is.

I understand the residents who say, “I moved here because I liked the small-town feel and I don’t want it to change.” I understand that because those are many of the same things I value about New Tecumseth.

But we also have to be realistic. Growth is coming, and much of the amount of growth we are required to plan for is being determined beyond the municipal level.

So for me, the question becomes: if we cannot simply say no to growth, what do we want New Tecumseth to look and feel like as we grow?

My vision is that Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham remain distinct communities, surrounded by the rural and agricultural landscape that is such an important part of New Tecumseth’s identity. I want neighbourhoods where people can walk to parks and trails, where families have enough room to actually live, where there are different housing choices for young people, families and seniors, and where our downtowns and local businesses continue to be part of the heart of our communities.

I want growth that is planned around people not simply around the number of housing units we can fit onto a piece of land.

That means realistic parking, safe streets and sidewalks, trees and green space, recreation, accessibility and neighbourhoods that connect with the community around them.

Most importantly, housing cannot continually get ahead of infrastructure. Roads, water and wastewater, parks, recreation, schools, emergency services and traffic all have to be considered as we grow.

And we need to be very conscious of who ultimately pays for it. At a time when many residents are already struggling with affordability, I have serious concerns about growth creating additional financial pressure on existing taxpayers.

Will New Tecumseth look exactly the same 20 years from now? No. I don’t think it is realistic for any candidate to promise that.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a clear vision for what we want it to become.

For me, that means keeping the character and identity of our communities while building places where people of different ages and incomes can live, work, raise their families and eventually retire.

We can’t stop every change. But we can have a much stronger say in what that change looks like and make sure we’re building a community, not simply building houses.

My priority for the first year would be getting the new Council organized, informed and focused on what needs to be accomplished over the next four years.

Following inauguration and Council training, one of our first major responsibilities will be the 2027 Budget. That will include some significant decisions about recreation, including the proposed sports dome, indoor pool and the future of the Beeton arena. These are major investments, and we need to look carefully at need, timing, affordability and the impact each would have on taxpayers.

I would also like the new Council to receive a comprehensive status update on the major projects and commitments already approved or underway including the Collingwood water treatment and transmission projects, Fire Station 4, wastewater capacity, roads and bridges, and our other major capital projects.

From there, I believe Council should establish a clear list of priorities for the term, identify realistic timelines and funding requirements, and create a framework that allows us and the public to track our progress. There will always be new ideas and new requests, but before adding more to the list, we need to understand what is already on it, what it will cost and what we realistically have the capacity to complete.

For me, the first year is about setting the new Council up for success: get informed, establish our priorities & committee commitments, make responsible financial decisions and then get to work delivering them.

Too ambiguous a question, in light of ongoing economic uncertainty. Areas we need to focus on are:

-Careful expenditure of increasingly difficult to obtain tax revenue (difficult in that the rate payers are finding it hard to balance their household books, as are many area business interests).

-Balancing the creation of recreational activities and structures against the cost to ensure we are getting the best use-to-cost ratio possible. Many recreational facilities operate on a negative capital return, but the benefit to the community is high. This requires a careful balance. -New Tecumseth must also work harder to attract more industry to our area. These interests provide good-paying opportunities to our local workforce. Typically, retail and service providers in bedroom communities tend to suffer during economic slowdowns. which is why the infusion of new industry and commercial interests are a benefit. These will also provide opportunities for our youth to work and live in the community, reducing the need for long, and increasingly costly commutes.

There are other issues, but the ongoing flux in our economic fabric will make for a shifting target.

My first priority as head of council will be to get all members of the council to join in serving all our residents.

The current split in council will need to be rectified in order to make the best decisions for NewTecumseth.

The second priority has to be a resolution to the issues that divide our town. We are not the people of Alliston or the people of Beeton and the people of Tottenham. All of us are NewTecumseth and the unification has to start with unbiased leadership and a stronger vision for tomorrow.

Basically we need to attract higher paying industries , advanced manufacturing technology, specialized trades and less low wage service sectors to raise the overall economy wage average

My priority for New Tecumseth in the coming year would be managing growth responsibly while protecting affordability, accountability and the quality of life of residents who already live here.

I recognize that there are several important priorities facing our community, and it is difficult to identify just one. However, financial affordability is a serious concern for me. Many households are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities and just about everything else. I have real concerns about continually increasing the burden on property taxpayers at a time when families, seniors and businesses are already feeling stretched.

The Town has responsibilities and infrastructure needs that can’t simply be ignored, but I believe every significant expenditure needs to be looked at carefully. What do we need? What can wait? Are there alternatives? Are we getting good value for taxpayers’ money? And what will today’s decision cost residents five or ten years from now?

Growth also needs to pay an appropriate share of the infrastructure and services it requires. We shouldn’t approve growth and then leave existing taxpayers continually trying to catch up with the infrastructure demands it creates.

At the same time, we need to address the everyday issues residents are raising roads, traffic and pedestrian safety, parking, accessibility, recreation and maintaining the infrastructure we already have.

The goal isn’t to stop change. It’s to manage it responsibly and make choices we can actually afford.

New Tecumseth should remain a community where people can afford to live, raise their families, retire and enjoy the community they call home. To me, protecting that affordability has to be part of every major decision Council makes.

The growth of New Tecumseth means that we are facing many challenges in the coming year. With water supply increasing our ability to service new homes and businesses also increases. We will need steadfast leadership and management to ensure the coming growth benefits both new residents and current residents. With that increase in population, we also need a strong focus on jobs and the local economy. Teens especially are competing for fewer jobs. My goal is to change that and overhaul our economic development efforts to produce more results rather than accept the stagnation of the last few years. Lastly the town will need a concerted effort to keep the character of our town centres. This means only accepting growth that adds to the community rather than just adding more homes.

As a council we will need to determine our priorities together in a cohesive fashion. Split votes down the middle haven't benefited our residents in the least. Now with a council of 9 that shouldn't be happening. Hopefully, during the campaigning, councillors have determined the focus of their ward and are ready to represent it moving forward. Big issues on the horizon are growth, maintenance of existing infrastructure, the health/wealth of our community, and the establishment of new recreation opportunities.

New Tecumseth needs a variety of businesses that provide employment opportunities for people at every age and stage of life. That could be a student looking for a part-time job after school, a parent looking for flexible or evening work to supplement their household income, a skilled tradesperson looking to build a career close to home, or a senior who wants to continue working part-time for the income, social connection and sense of purpose.

But we also need to think bigger. As our population grows, we need to actively attract larger employers and a more diverse range of industries that bring professional, technical, administrative and corporate positions with them. People shouldn't necessarily have to commute south to find those opportunities.

That means making sure we have employment lands available and serviced, creating an environment where businesses want to invest, and supporting the businesses that are already here so they can grow and create more jobs.

Education and training are part of that as well. I support efforts to bring skilled trades and technology training closer to home and to build partnerships between employers and educational institutions so residents can train for good careers without having to leave the community.

If we're going to grow substantially, we shouldn't just be planning where people will live. We should be equally focused on where they will work.

123

New jobs require new ideas or established business willing to invest. Investor confidence is something that we have to work on. When the town complains about growing and wants to keeping the identity of the three separate areas, then other places stand a better chance of getting the edge.

With the wealth of skills and knowledge in New Tecumseth we can turn things around and build industries that thrive now and for generations to come. Dream Big and choose your path.

Basically we need to attract higher paying industries , advanced manufacturing technology, specialized trades and less low wage service sectors to raise the overall economy wage average

Growth should strengthen our community so people can live, work and raise their families here, it shouldn't outpace our core services.

We need to support the local businesses already operating here and help them connect with residents while attracting new businees.

It's is common practice in all the municipalities I have lived in to see road improvements at election time. Sometimes it works to show effort.

The quality of the work surprises me still to this day. With all the equipment available the progress leaves me with a lot of questions about the value we are getting.

This is not I subject that I can comment on with any authority, so I will have to investigate it a lot deeper. If I receive the mandate to lead the council of NewTecumseth then I will be able to get better answers for us all.