Some very clear stances on wind turbine development from the mayoral candidates for Saugeen Shores.
On a special edition of Soundingboard on 98 the Beach — current Mayor Mike Smith made it very clear he is against the possibility of further developments until the process changes.
Smith says he’s unhappy with the lack of local consultation under the Green Energy Act.
He says until this changes, he doesn’t want to see any more development in Saugeen Shores.
Current councillor Victoria Serda is also running for mayor.
She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News she feels there has been a lack of strong leadership from the current council on this and many other issues.
Serda says council needs to have an actual discussion with the community and weigh all the pros and cons about wind turbines before deciding one way or the other about them.
In fact, Serda was very vocal about the lack of communication between council and residents, and the process for several council decisions.
She’s very supportive of using social media and new technologies to broadcast and archive entire council meetings.
Smith says the key is to balance wants like this with the things the community needs, while keeping the lowest possible tax rate.
As for the biggest challenge for Saugeen Shores council in the next term, Smith feels it will be finishing the official community plan.
Serda is in favour instead of a sustainability plan, because she says it takes into account not only infrastructure and services, but also social, environmental, cultural and economic needs.
She says there are two very clear choices in the upcoming election.
The municipal vote is October 25th.
