A new term on council begins

First and foremost I would like to congratulate Councillor Allan Thompson on his re-election.

Allan and his family have been long time friends of the Dolson family.  I am sure that for the good of Ward 2, and all of Caledon for that matter, we will be able to set aside our differences and work collaboratively.

I would also like to thank all those who have followed this blog and/or supported my campaign. I have really enjoyed sharing my opinions and experiences and plan to continue doing so. Caledon Tom will live on. Not as a councillor, but as a proud citizen of Caledon.

There will be changes made to the website in the near future so by all means keep it bookmarked and return to it on a regular basis.

ELECTION DAY

Since entering the race in January it’s been a long campaign. On the doorsteps of Ward 2 residents, my attention has been drawn to a lot of issues that have never been brought before council. I’ve also met several other candidates across Caledon who will make fine representatives if elected. All in all this has been a great experience. Please make every effort to get out and vote today.

I would sincerely like to represent Ward 2 residents as your Regional Councilor. If you have any last minute questions before heading to the polls, don’t hesitate to call me at (905) 843-2052.

CALEDON CASHBOX – PART 2

 

MORE REPORTS, MORE INCONSISTENCIES, MORE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED!

Report CS-2009-044

This is the corporate services report to council that was mentioned as contradictory in my last post.  The financial impact study done to justify tax payer funding for the Pan Am Games 2015 was actually submitted by EMG!

If you approached your bank for a mortgage on your house, do you think they would allow you to do your own appraisal?  I doubt it!  This is the same group who has been leasing the park for $1 a year while generating millions in revenue.  This is the same group who stands to make millions more with improved facilities paid for with tax payer funding.  Wouldn’t it have been prudent from a tax payer perspective to have this study performed by an impartial party?

The Pan Am 2015 Report from Peel Region

This report was given to me by an official at the Region of Peel in September 2010.  I was told that this report is a public document.  The report lists the total costs associated with upgrading the Caledon Equestrian Park for the Pan Am Games.  It lists the timelines of construction and shows building plans.  The most surprising part of the report is;

“THE TRCA AND TOWN OF CALEDON HAVE AGREED TO EXTEND THE LEASE OF THE PARK TO EMG FOR THE OPERATION OF THE EQUINE FACILITY FOR 20 YEARS WITH THE OPTION FOR A 20 YEAR EXTENSION”

As our upper tier level of government and one of our partners in the Pan Am bid process Peel Region has taken a leadership role in overseeing the Pan Am 2015 arrangements.

 

By-law 2009-162

 

Unfortunately, Town By-laws take precedent over motions passed by council.  By-laws resulting from a

motion passed at council are supposed to carry the intent of the motion.  This one does not.  (2009-162)

The motion would lead us to believe that a proposed funding agreement would be brought back to Council.  The by-law passed on the same day, December 8 2009, takes that authority away from council.  Read the motion and resulting by-law below.

 

Caledon Council Meeting Minutes December 8, 2009

<http://www.town.caledon.on.ca/contentc/townhall/council/agendaitems/08Dec09Minutes.pdf>

Item 4 (p. 6)

CS-2009-044 re: 2015 Pan Parapan American Games Update and Next Steps.

 

Moved by N. deBoer – Seconded by R. Whitehead (839-2009)

 

That Report CS-2009-044 regarding 2015 Pan Parapan American Games Updates and Next Steps, be received; and

 

That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized through a By-law to sign Annex B to the Multi Party Agreement (the Joinder Agreement) with the 2015 Pan Parapan American Games Bid Committee to host the Equestrian events at the Caledon Equestrian Park, as well as a community partnership to the level of cash contribution of 44% of capital costs to an upset limit of $5,373,500.00 (2014$) by partners Equestrian Management Group, Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority, Region of Peel and Caledon to facilitate renovations or construction of buildings associated with the Pan/Parapan American Games be supported; and

That staff be directed to pursue funding opportunities including stakeholder and private sector contributions and investment possibilities; and

 

That Council enact a By-law authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Corporate Services/Chief Financial Officer, Director of Legal Services and other appropriate staff to negotiate with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority the Equestrian Management Group, Region of Peel and other parties to develop proposed funding and obligations of the parties, and return to Council with a proposed agreement in early 2010.

 

Carried.

 

By-law 2009-162 (p. 12)

 

Moved by R. Paterak – Seconded by  R. Whitehead.

To authorize Town staff to negotiate agreements and  to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign agreements relating to the Pan American /Para Pan American Games.

 

Will council EVER see a proposed funding agreement for the Pan Am Games bid?  Not according to the above by-law.  The agreement with EMG is part and parcel of the agreements involving the Pan Am Bid process!

CALEDON CASHBOX

CALEDON CASHBOX

Part 1

The Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave is a 35 acre facility that the Town of Caledon manages for the Toronto Region Conservation Authority(TRCA). Caledon has leased this property to Equestrian Management Group (EMG) for the last 20 years at a dollar per year!  EMG runs 16 equestrian events each year with upwards of 1,000 horses per event.  Including competition and entry fees, stall rentals, trailer space rentals, concessions and practice rounds for riders it is not unreasonable to assume there is $8 to $10 million in revenue generated on that site annually. The Town has never offered this site through an open public tender process! Why?  EMG has a sweetheart deal for $1 a year and who benefits?  The 3 partners of EMG are not from Caledon.  Many of their employees are not from Caledon.  The caterer on sight is not from Caledon.

The Town of Caledon has entered into an agreement with the TRCA, EMG and the Region of Peel to host the Pan Am Games in 2015 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave.  To add insult to injury, $5.3735 Million was approved by council in December 2009 to fund the 2015 Pan Am Games. Staff was to report back to council early 2010 with a proposed agreement and funding obligations of our partners.  THIS NEVER OCCURRED!  To date there have been no financial commitments from ANY of our partners.

Will Peel Region commit funding?  Not unless Brampton and Mississauga agree to support this initiative and that is highly unlikely.

Will the Toronto Region Conservation Authority commit funding?  Not according to the agreement between the TRCA and the Town of Caledon.  This 1978 agreement stipulates that all costs for development of the site be borne by The Town of Caledon (page 3, December 29 1978 agreement between TRCA and Town of Caledon).

Will EMG commit to funding?  They have not reported any funding commitment to date!

All three of these parties are on record supporting the Pan American Games at the Caledon Equestrian Park but they are NOT on record to commit funding.

A December 8, 2009, report from corporate services at the Town of Caledon states (on page 1 CS-2009-044) that council will be provided with a proposed agreement in early 2010.  Yet, in the SAME report, (page 7) it states that staff will report back to council once an agreement is in place!  Which is it?  Council enacted a by-law that day to authorize the mayor and the clerk to enter into a multi party agreement with the Pan Am bid committee.  Did this include renegotiation of the lease with EMG?  If that is the case, will council EVER see a proposed agreement?

In addition to the $5.3 Million commitment by our tax payers, the Town must provide policing, emergency services and parking enforcement for the Pan Am Games Equesttrian events.  Could this turn into Caledon’s version of the G 20?

Will this event bring economic gain to the Town?  Not much!  There are very few hotels or motels in the area and none likely to be built for a week long event.  There is limited parking on site.  Many of the visitors to the Pan Am Equestrian events will stay in Toronto, take a bus to Palgrave, where food services will be provided on site and return to Toronto the same evening.

The 1997 agreement between EMG and the Town of Caledon is due to expire August 31 2014.  The renegotiation of this agreement MUST be brought before council and there MUST be provisions made for revenue to be collected by the Town!  That is, if it isn’t already too late!  As your regional councillor, I pledge to be more responsible and accountable with your tax dollars!

A VOICE FOR VALLEYWOOD

To : VALLEYWOOD RESIDENTS

THE FUTURE OF CALEDON IS AT STAKE!

CHANGE IS NECESSARY!

 

ICE RINK

The Caledon West Rotary Club has been working with Valleywood residents since last spring to raise funding for a combination ice pad and splash pad in Lina Marino Park.  Chris Kane, our Rotary president resides in Valleywood. Gord McClure and myself have been working with our club and Valleywood residents to make this vision a reality.  Two similar ice pads have been built in Bolton, through Rotary’s involvement.  Unfortunately, Valleywood is not getting the same treatment that Bolton received regarding assistance from the Town of Caledon.  If I am elected, I will find out why the town has erected these roadblocks and insist that Valleywood should be treated no differently than Bolton!  Our application for a Trillium grant to help fund this project has been stalled by staff at the Town of Caledon.  We will persevere and we WILL have a rink.  You can count on it!

 

VALLEYWOOD  INTERCHANGE

Don’t rely on the people who created this mess to fix it!  MTO took direction from council to arrive at this current design.  Safety issues remain and the installation of a second flashing light at the stop sign entering Valleywood is certainly needed.  Valleywood residents should be commended on the pressure that they have exerted on the MTO and the Town.  Your persistence along with that of the VRA has resulted in changing an interchange that posed significant danger to one that is safer but still unsafe.  I find it both sad and frustrating that less then a year after completing this atrocity it is necessary to review its configuration.

 

VALLEYWOOD SEPTEMBER 2010 DELEGATION FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR

Valleywood’s delegation for a moratorium By-Law to set aside lands for a future north south corridor is an idea that I soundly endorse.  Good long term planning demands that another route to the future GTA west corridor be created.  Without that road and with projected future residential growth(26,800 in the Mayfield West area), traffic and safety will be a major concern in the Valleywood community.  Add to this, pending and future aggregate applications and truck traffic could be horrendous!  I will support this alternate corridor and will aggressively pursue its implementation.

 

If Valleywood truly wants a voice over the next 4 years and you have had enough of being treated like second class citizens.

 

VOTE – TOM DOLSON

For Regional Council Ward 2 – October 25^th

ATTEMTED CHARACTER ASSASSINATION

ATTEMPTED CHARACTER ASSASSINATION!

 

An attack has been made on my character by persons involved in this municipal election.  Allegations have been made that I have contributed anonymously to the Valleywood Residents Association.  These allegations are untrue and unfounded!

I have no objection to any investigation or audit by ANY government authority being carried out relative to myself or the VRA.  Furthermore I would welcome such a process.

 

It is difficult for me to understand the difference between councillors that take money for their own benefit from the development industry to fund their election campaigns and a non profit organization like the VRA from taking donations from anyone what so ever.

 

I would like to assure the Valleywood residents of two things.

 

1-Neither myself nor my family have contributed financially to the Valleywood Residents Asssociation.

 

2- I will represent the tax payers if elected as your regional councillor for ward 2!  I will accept NO contributions from the development industry for my election campaign.  Several incumbent members of council have heavily funded their past election campaigns from developers and related businesses as well as the aggregate industry.

 

It is unfortunate that special interest groups stoop to this level during a municipal election.  I will remain true to the residents of Ward 2 and true to myself and family.

 

Sincerely,

Tom Dolson

FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES

 

Deferred maintenance of our roads have resulted in road and bridge closures and load limits imposed on several bridges.  This compromises response times that are already challenged and leads to downgrading of our fire rating. A poor fire rating affects fire insurance premiums for all residents and businesses throughout the town.  More ambulances and more a more effective dispatch system will contribute to reducing response times.  Capital investment toward roads and bridges through cost savings in other departments will also contribute to this objective.  I pledge to make the safety of our residents a priority as your regional councillor for ward 2.

DEVELOPMENT ABUSE

Abuse of tax payers by developers must stop!  Exemptions from local development charges to some residential developments transfer growth costs to the taxpayers.  Deferral of letters of credit to developers create unnecessary risk to the taxpayers.  Using our tax dollars to represent developers in appeals to the Niagara Escarpment Commission is irresponsible and costly.  Approving a development’s draft plan at Council without the developer having met all financial obligations is irregular.  There have been many instances of unique and preferential treatment toward the development industry at the expense of tax payers.

Developer Campaign Contributions – Both of the other candidates for Ward 2 regional council heavily funded their last election campaigns through contributions received from developers, the aggregate industry and development related companies.  Do you want your regional councillor to represent YOU, or the developers and the aggregate industry?  I pledge not to take their contributions for my election campaign.

MOTORCYCLE DISCRIMINATION

I attended a public information meeting on September 8 at Town Hall to discuss passing a noise by-law directed at Motorcycles.  I have a couple of different viewpoints to bring to the table.  As a lifelong resident of Caledon I was mystified by the people who have lived in the area of Belfountain and Forks of the Credit for the past 10 to 15 years who complained of the noise.  Motorcycles have been commonplace in that area for as long as I can remember and I am 50 years old.

As a farmer I can relate to new people moving into my area and complaining about the smell when we spread manure.  The complaints with regard to motorcycle noise in the afore mentioned area seem remarkably similar.

As a candidate for regional council in ward 2, I have no doubt that this by-law is discriminatory.  Our ward does not have a significant issue with motorcycle noise.  Noise from a wide variety of trucks and modified cars is indeed an issue in our area.  This by-law does nothing to address the noise issues experienced by residents in my area.  There is a pickup truck that passes my century farm on a daily basis that makes my windows rattle.  The equipment required for monitoring and penalizing the decibel levels of motorcycles will not be transferable for use in monitoring other vehicles.

In 2009, the Town of Caledon actually lost $83,000 issuing parking tickets.  How much will the training of police, the implementation of this program and the lost time of the police to secure the safety of our community actually cost our tax payers?  Add to that, the cost to our legal department of litigation brought forth by a wide assortment of motorcycle clubs and organizations.  Another added cost to our Town is the absence of fundraising that these groups have provided for needy charitable organizations in our community.

If we are going to institute a noise by-law, it must be fair and equitable for all.  If the equipment isn’t available to treat ALL modes of transportation equally, then the Town has no right to pass this by-law.

SENIORS ARE A PRIORITY

In Caledon, some of our seniors are currently being forced out of their homes by exorbitant taxes.  The lack of available senior’s housing forces many of them to move out of the Town of Caledon  away from family and friends.  Many of these seniors live on larger country lots that provide them with significant maintenance challenge as they grow older.  The lack of available transit for our seniors creates isolation from their community.  What has Caledon provided for seniors in Ward 2 who want to downsize to a more affordable seniors lifestyle community?  The answer so far is NOTHING.  There has been rumblings about a future  seniors building in th Mayfield West development but Council has to this point failed to develop a vision for Seniors in the Town of Caledon.

The Region of Peel has stated that in the next 10 years we will have more seniors than kids in Peel Region.  Caledon has an opportunity to identify this issue as a priority and plan a full service adult lifestyle community.  Council has made a considerable investment in recreational facilities for our youth.  Their capital plans for the next 10 years for recreation include the following;

$10 Million for indoor soccer at Centreville Creek Rd. and King St.

$8 Million for a Fitness Centre in Caledon East

$14.5 Million for a twin ice pad arena in the Mayfield West area

Now, I don’t know too many seniors that play hockey, soccer and baseball.  I do know that a great number of seniors swim.  We currently have no plans to build an additional swimming pool in the next 10 years.  The last pool built in Ward 2 that I know of was built beside Mayfield School over 40 years ago.

Caledon needs to take the lead in what I believe has the potential to provide tremendous economic development to our Town.  Senior housing, health care and related industries could bring much needed investment and employment to the Town of Caledon.

Imagine, if we could offer a large full service seniors community with;

Independent lifestyle bungalow units,

An assisted care facility,

An extended care facility,

An event and recretional facility.

We could have a complete seniors housing development where residents could transition from one area to another as thir needs increase.  They wouln’t be forced to leave their community or their friends as is currently the case.  This type of development should be situated with public transit and shopping close at hand.  We need a Council that can plan for the future and implement creative solutions that are not constantly at the expense of the tax payer!