Derek Stephens
Incumbent Central Manitoulin Councillor Derek Stephens considers himself something of an ‘anti’ politician. “I never have a platform,” he laughs. “I play it by ear.” But behind that jovial demure lies a serious intent.
“Taxes are too high,” he said. “If I have a platform, it is that taxes are too high and they need to be lower.”
“We keep looking at policing costs downloaded by the province,” he said of one of the biggest challenges in meeting that goal. “I think our council has done a pretty good job at keeping those costs we do control down.”
Mr. Stephens said that sitting on the District Services Board (DSB) has been one of the biggest eye-openers for him as a councillor during this last term. There is so much in the DSB budget that is controlled by provincial mandates that keeping costs in line present a challenge, but that is a challenge he felt he has helped meet. “The seat on DSB moves to Tehkummah in the next round,” he said, but he feels that his experience on the DSB has given him valuable insight into how that organization operates. “We need to keep on top of costs.”
When it comes to meeting the challenges of the future, Mr. Stephens said that he feels the answer lies largely in working with the private sector. “I think the municipality needs to start working more with the private sector to find cost effective solutions to help keep costs down,” he said.
Among the accomplishment of his time on the current council, Mr. Stephens cites the completion of work on the Monument Road boat launch. “That was a real safety concern that I am happy we have been able to deal with,” he said.
When it comes to future projects, Mr. Stephens points to the new ambulance station slated for Mindemoya. “I am working on a plan with the DSB to build a new firehall/ambulance centre building,” he said. “By combining the two I think we can find ways to reduce the costs to local taxpayers.”
“I have been proud to serve the people of Central Manitoulin,” said Mr. Stephens, who notes that while the council has worked well together over the past term, he felt that it was important to “not be afraid to shake things up a little bit.”
While he notes that his first concern has always been centred on the wellbeing of the taxpayers of Central Manitoulin, Mr. Stephens adds that success also depends on keeping an eye on the bigger picture. “We have to support things that are good for the whole Island,” he said.
Among the projects he would like to see going forward, Mr. Stephens said that he would like to explore the possibility of an outdoor stage for Providence Bay. “It would be good for the Lions Club and for the Bluegrass Festival. It is a beautiful piece of property and an ideal location.”
