Three Councillors Campaigned To Remove Barriers During Open Air

The burg watch Open Air posts’ viewing statistics have increased, particularly then-candidates’ opinions, which is worth repeating.

Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

  1. Councillor Peter Courtney: Of course I would!
  2. Councillor Diane Pouget: Yes, I am definitely in favor of removing barriers for people with disabilities during Open Air.  The fact that 51% of the businesses in the downtown core want the closure of streets for 3 days on weekends and 4 days on long weekends from May to September is unreasonable and unfair.  This is especially true, since 49% claim that Open Air hurts their business, especially their clients with disability issues.  Further to that, the taxpayers are footing the bill to hurt our most vulnerable residents.  It was disappointing to learn that only one person with a disability was consulted. This is unfair and must be revisited.
  3. Councillor Linden Crain: Yes. It is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution.

Councillor Donald McArthur: If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. Let’s not give up on something that engages our youth while promoting economic development, something that sets our Town apart in a positive way and creates the sort of bustling environment where a hotel cannot only open but flourish.

Councillor Molly Allaire: I love Open Air Weekends, my family partakes every weekend for sure. I will be honest after going door to door my eyes have been opened up to a great deal of problems in our town that I was unaware of. Open air has many positives and negatives. I think the blockades that they created this year allow better parking for the majority. We could make it more accessible for people with disabilities by blocking off the waterfront parking area specifically for them allowing closer access to amenities. I also believe that open air is wonderful but should only be one day instead of 3. Many residents say that it is more of a nuisance trying to get to their bank, business, home etc. Business owners have stated that their business has actually done worse during these hours because lack of access to the area. I think having it one day would be a fair compromise and make it still an event for people to come and enjoy.

No Answers:

Mayor Michael Prue
Deputy Mayor Gibb

Candidate Diane Pouget Addresses Rumours

As the burg watch blogger, my hope is that voters check facts and contact candidates to make informed choices, especially because there are so many running and rumours are rampant. I had a conversation with Councillor Candidate Diane Pouget about the topic and offered her the opportunity to address them here.

Councillor Candidate Diane Pouget

People have been approaching me directly and asking if I’m well. It seems they’ve been told I am not running due to illness, which is not true.  I believe this is a deliberate attempt to influence voters for voting for me.

I am always available to the public.  I attended each and every Council meeting in the past four years, either in person or virtually.  I answer all phone calls and emails, as long as they properly identify themselves.  I did not respond to a blogger, who refused to identify herself and I understand her husband is running for Deputy Mayor.  I asked her (Sarah Sally) 10 questions and asked her to share them with her audience.  She didn’t answer, but chose to chastise us for not responding to her questions.  It should be noted, that 10 candidates refused to respond to her blog as an unidentified person.

I mailed out 9,100 flyers.  It was disturbing to learn, that some people have not received my pamphlets. However, despite these setbacks, I will continue to answer questions and concerns from the taxpayers of our Town.  It is quite obvious with 25 candidates running for 7 positions and the large voter turnout so far, our residents are very unhappy with the lack of performance and lack of trust of this Council.

I believe people know that I am an honest hardworking candidate and I have a proven record of representing our community in a fair and trustworthy manner.  If I am elected, I will carefully scrutinize the Town’s finances and if we find any discrepancies, I will vote to have a Forensic Audit to discover if there was any criminal activity or wrongdoing  and hold those accountable, if there were any violations of our financials.

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the burg watch questionnaire – Diane Pouget

I would stop the secret dinners with staff and council. I would lobby for a decrease regarding in-camera meetings. A council may go in-camera for certain things, but they don’t have to.  They are only obligated to go in-camera for personnel matters, litigation or possible litigation, sale or purchase of land and security.Continue reading Candidate Diane Pouget’s answers.

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Diane Pouget

Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

The second candidate to respond:

Yes Linda, I am definitely in favor of removing barriers for people with disabilities during Open Air.  The fact that 51% of the businesses in the downtown core want the closure of streets for 3 days on weekends and 4 days on long weekends from May to September is unreasonable and unfair.  This is especially true, since 49% claim that Open Air hurts their business, especially their clients with disability issues.  Further to that, the taxpayers are footing the bill to hurt our most vulnerable residents.  It was disappointing to learn that only one person with a disability was consulted. This is unfair and must be revisited.