Get to Know Your City Council, Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Candidates. Owen Sound Electors vote online from October 12th to 22nd, 2018. Candidates were asked to provide information and respond to a series of questions designed to help voters get to know them. Participation was optional. This guide contains the information provided by all those who chose to respond.

1. Electors’ Guide to Your Candidates
Owen Sound Election 2018

2. Get to Know Your City Council, Deputy Mayor
and Mayoral Candidates
Candidates were asked to provide information
and respond to a series of questions designed
to help voters get to know them.
Participation was optional. This guide
contains the information provided by all those
who chose to respond.

3. Owen Sound Electors vote online from October
12th to 22nd, 2018.
Voting will begin on Friday, October 12, 2018
at 10:00 a.m. and continue until Monday,
October 22, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.
Voting during this period will be available 24
hours a day.

4. Help Centres are available throughout the
voting period.
Help centre
information is
available on the
City of Owen
Sound website
here.

5. Need help?
The Election Help Line can be
reached at
519-376-4440 ext. 2018.

6. Registered Candidates - Mayor
Ian Boddy Ray Botten

7. Registered Candidates - Deputy Mayor
Brian O’Leary Paul Patille
DID NOT RESPOND

8. Registered Candidates - Councillor
Travis Dodd Brock HamleyScott GreigJacquie Furtner
Steven Hencze Marion Koepke Peter Lemon
DID NOT
RESPOND
DID NOT
RESPOND
DID NOT
RESPOND
DID NOT
RESPOND

9. Registered Candidates - Councillor
Gail McCartney John A. TammingDenae MooresCarol Merton
Richard Thomas Bill Twaddle Riel Warrilow
DID NOT
RESPOND

10. Ian Boddy - Mayoral Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
We've poured the Foundation - now it's
time.
Growth, efficiency, community.
I am a local business stakeholder, long
time community volunteer, on Council for
8 years, and Mayor for past 4 years.
More information: http://ianboddy.ca/

11. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
A positive confidence in our community and it's future,
and belief that together we can get even better.
- Ian Boddy

12. Ian’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Growth
2) Efficiency
3) Community

13. Ray Botten - Mayoral Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
I Love to serve those in need!
Loving our people.
Outreach Worker for over 16 years.
Standing as an Activist/Advocate for
those in crisis. World experience in over
12 countries. Volunteer Coordinator,
School Supervisor in northern Nigeria.
A Friend!
More information: See Facebook

14. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
My greatest asset to offer electors is that I trust the
one who made me!
- Ray Botten

15. Ray’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Reopening of our only Emergency Shelter
(The Sanctuary) for anyone in need!

16. Paul Patille -Candidate for Deputy Mayor
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
A Strong Past; a Stronger Future.
Taxes, tourism & the arts
I am experienced in Project Management;
in organizing a team and creating an idea
from conception to reality.
ppatille@rogers.com

17. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
Progressive ideas and vision.
- Paul Patille

18. Paul’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Your taxes
2) Our tourism
3) Initiating a feasibility study for a
pedestrian bridge up the harbour

19. Fire Services
Do you support the idea of
Owen Sound transitioning
from full-time fire service to
a composite or volunteer
department, should an
opportunity present itself?
Yes
No
I don’t
know

20. Fire services question responses
We need to continue to work with the arbitration system to get the
Province to change the meaning of "ability to pay" and continue to work
with the Firefighters Association so they will recognize the required
number of suppression staff needed on each platoon. - Marion Koepke
Economic realities must be
faced although I think our
service is excellent.
- Gail McCartney
I believe as our city of Owen Sound grows
we will have the right contingent.
- Ray Botten
A composite fire service would be in line with other
communities our size and bigger, and would be more efficient.
- Ian Boddy
I am looking for more information
and have a meeting with the
president of the Owen Sound
Professional FireFighters
Association to learn more.
- Jacquie Furtner

21. Fire services question responses
This is not a quick answer although there has been a consultation
report made, and there still needs to be further discussion with the
firefighters themselves and the public on possible alternatives that may
be beneficial for all parties involved. - Denae Moores
I support looking at all of our
services through a regional
lens.
- Travis Dodd
Emergency services
take nearly half of our
annual budget--we
can no longer afford
this.
- Richard Thomas
There needs to be a review of costs, expenditures and overtime.
- Paul Patille
I remain unconvinced that we can
make this change without
sacrificing service, but I welcome
any additional information folks
might feel like I am missing.
- Riel Warrilow
Paying 31 full time
‘professionals’ to fight a handful
of fires a year is simple insanity.
- John Tamming

22. Marion Koepke - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Experience. Commitment. Dedication.
Taxes, infrastructure, business.
Twenty-six year municipal employee
(Deputy Clerk and Clerk); familiarity with
municipal legislation. Community
Volunteer in six various areas. Four
years as municipal Councillor. Council
Boards & Committee experience.
More information: See Facebook

23. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
We need to promote Owen Sound as a destination for
arts and culture which will bring tourism and hopefully
more business and residential development will be a
ripple effect from this destination promotion.
- Marion Koepke

24. Marion’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Improvements to the Downtown area
2) Enhancements to the Harbour area
3) Affordable Housing

25. John A. Tamming - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Growing Owen Sound Together
Don’t study—act.
I have carried on a successful litigation
law practice for 30 years. That means
that I know how to ask the right
questions, I insist on actionable data
and I am not content to go along to get
along.
John.a.tamming@gmail.com

26. John’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Hire an out of town "Downtown
Director" with proven experience to tell
and show us how to re-imagine
everything about our downtown.
2) Get serious about cuts to fire and
police costs.
3) Support local culture endlessly.

27. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
I don't assume things have to remain the same
because they have always been this way.
- John Tamming

28. City Services
Do you support the
restoration of services such
as as-needed snow removal
and weekly garbage pickup?
Yes
No
I don’t
know

29. City services question responses
Weekly garbage pickup
would add substantially
to the budget and unless
the taxpayer is willing to
pay more, I can't see this
happening on a regular
basis. I think snow
removal on an as-needed
basis could be a safety
concern unless the
arterial roads were not
included on the
as-needed list.
- Marion Koepke
This is expensive, but I think it is a
priority for ratepayers.
- Gail McCartney
We pay enough taxes to see our
snow/garbage removed weekly!
- Ray Botten
If we can increase tax
revenue through growth,
we can start to afford
better services.
- Ian Boddy
Depending on the
cost, snow
removal should be
done for safety
purposes as
needed and in the
summertime,
garbage should be
removed weekly.
- Jacquie Furtner

30. City services question responses
Every change in service has a cost associated
with it, and few people have an appetite for higher
taxes.
- Richard Thomas
Any service can be reviewed
during the budgetary process,
however these increased
services will result in a higher
operating cost/capital expense
and at this point I am unaware
of what that cost would be to
implement such changes.
- Travis Dodd
I would rather pay the public utility
than a private contractor, as costs
always rise with a private company.
- Paul Patille
Further review would be
required to support weekly
garbage pick up. If we initiated
compost our garbage waste
should decrease and therefore
weekly pick up would not be
required.
- Denae Moores

31. Jacquie Furtner - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Higher quality of life for all residents.
Growth, revitalization, consultation.
Six years running barebirch, a business I
created. Vice Chair of the Owen Sound
Downtown Improvement Area. Grew up
in Owen Sound and am proud to call it
home.
facebook.com/Jacquieforcouncil/

32. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
I understand that our people are our best assets and
that working together and listening to each other is the
best way to move forward in a positive way.
- Jacquie Furtner

33. Jacquie’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Grow the city, by attracting and retaining residents and
businesses and by supporting and leveraging our vibrant
arts and culture community.
2) Make Owen Sound safe and inclusive, through
downtown revitalization, proactive crime prevention and
creating safe, people friendly public spaces.
3) Implement more transparent and engaged planning
and decision making, through more accessible council
and public meetings and more effective and meaningful
community consultations, that include diverse
perspectives.

34. Riel Warrilow - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Progressive, community building,
responsible leadership.
Accountable; sustainable progress.
6 years as a federal public servant,
experience on arts boards, and long time
Owen Sound resident.
facebook.com/Rielwarrilow/

35. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
Above all, I feel like I'm a reasonable
person- just get in touch if there's
something you need to chat about.
- Riel Warrilow

36. Riel’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Downtown revitalization
2) The Harbour
3) Tourism

37. Downtown
Improvement
Area
Do you support the idea of
the Downtown Improvement
Area (DIA) transitioning from
a standalone entity to a
department of the City of
Owen Sound?
Yes
No
I don’t
know

38. DIA question responses
My answer is both yes and no; I support
administration and event planning taking place in
conjunction with City administration but feel we
need an individual with vision to promote and
market downtown and work on enhancements in
the downtown area.
- Marion Koepke
Times have changed; it’s a
harsh reality of extreme big box
and online competition.
- Gail McCartney
We will merge the D.I.A. into Public
Works removing the management and
assimilating D.I.A. front line workers for
real cost savings and efficiency!
- Ray Botten
The full
discussion needs
to be completed.
- Ian Boddy
Not as the offer stands at the moment, but
with a part time staff member allocated to
be a voice for the membership and a
detailed contract guaranteeing we do not
lose any resources, yes.
- Jacquie Furtner

39. DIA question responses
I want a new Downtown Director to be appointed
and I want to defer to her on all matters involving
the downtown.
- John Tamming
City needs to resolve other
issues; who best knows the
retail business—the retailers.
- Paul Patille
There is more discussion needed on
this topic, but I would support the
membership of the DIA on how they
foresee their future.
- Travis Dodd
- Ian Boddy
As this idea is so new, and DIA survey
results were inconclusive, more study is
required before I can take a position on
this issue.
- Richard Thomas

40. Denae Moores - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Accountability, Integrity, Decisive and Action-
Oriented.
Sequencing, Industry and Retention
Registered Nurse, homeowner, business
owner, born and raised Owen Sound. Past
board member of Grey Bruce Children’s
Foundation, past director of events Carleton
homeowners association, past President
United Way - Ottawa Chapter
facebook.com/Denae-Moores-for-Owe
n-Sound-Councillor

41. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
Action-oriented.
- Denae Moores

42. Denae’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Increasing industry/jobs market
2) Downtown improvement
3) Retention of recruited families,
business owners/young entrepreneurs
and medical doctors.

43. Travis Dodd - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Helping Owen Sound Move Forward
Dedicated, Leadership, Open-Minded
City Councillor, Past Chair of Community
Services & Chair of Economic Development,
Vice Chair of Corporate Services, Business
Development Manager for Nicol Insurance,
Kiwanian, Big Brother of Owen Sound,
Co-Organizer of Young Professionals
Network, University of Guelph Graduate
facebook.com/DoddforOSCouncil

44. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
A positive outlook on the future of the City I
love.
- Travis Dodd

45. Travis’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Growth
2) Regional services
3) Safe, healthy & inclusive community

46. Affordable
Housing
Do you believe that issues of
poverty and affordable
housing are County
responsibilities and therefore
outside of the purview of
Owen Sound City Council?
Yes
No
I don’t
know

47. Affordable housing question responses
Both yes and no... affordable housing and social services
are both Grey County but I feel the City should be
encouraging developers of larger residential areas to
include a mix of affordable housing in their development.
- Marion Koepke
It might be a county
responsibility, but it is an
Owen Sound problem.
- Gail McCartney
I believe and understand
it is us together who will
answer these concerns!
- Ray Botten
Grey County has the housing
department, staff, budget and
know how; OS can and does
influence through planning and
incentives.
- Ian Boddy
While it is considered a county issue,
there are many things City Council
can do, including community
development, education to the public
and working with other tiers of
government to change policies and to
stop criminalizing poverty.
- Jacquie Furtner
Poverty has a profound effect on the health and wellbeing
of our community, so it’s our responsibility to leverage every
angle to improve things for these folks.
- Riel Warrilow

48. Affordable housing question responses
The County receives provincial funding for this area of
responsibility, however, the City of Owen Sound supports the
Owen Sound Housing Company, which adds to the local housing
inventory.
- Richard Thomas
I believe both should be responsible.
- Paul Patille
I believe there are
initiatives that the City
can undertake to assist
with housing through
the Community
Improvement Plan and
by looking into lowering
the minimum square
footage of homes.
- Travis Dodd
I believe the city has the ability to look at current bylaws
that are limiting individuals from building smaller more
affordable homes (tiny homes). - Denae Moores

49. Richard Thomas - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Four more years of growth & prosperity
Responsible spending and growth
I have been a municipal councillor for 4
years; founding President of the
Community Waterfront Heritage Centre;
Library Board member, 15 years, 12 as
chair; Hospital Foundation Board
member; Chair, Georgian College
Community Advisory Committee.richardthomascampaign@gmail.com

50. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
I am collaborative and work well with
others.
- Richard Thomas

51. Richard’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Continue the growth we have started
2) Reduce cost of emergency services
3) Bring high speed Internet to City ASAP

52. Carol Merton - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
A healthy, accessible, vibrant community.
Commitment, Community, Communication.
I have called Owen Sound home for 18
years. I am a homeowner, taxpayer,
business owner, community volunteer,
health care professional and have raised
children in this community.
facebook.com/CarolMertonforOwenSoundCouncil

53. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
I bring a new voice, perspective and ideas
to the Council table.
- Carol Merton

54. Carol’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Affordable, accessible, adequate housing.
2) Healthy, safe, welcoming
neighbourhoods.
3) Development of a vibrant and attractive
downtown and harbour area that draws
people to our city.

55. In-City Transit
Would you support the
expansion by service area or
extension of hours for Owen
Sound's public transit, even if
providing this public service
was not profitable?
Yes
No
Maybe

56. Transit question responses
If we do not meet the needs
of the individuals, the
system is not successful.
- Marion Koepke
I’m not convinced this is practical but I
am willing to listen.
- Gail McCartney
It is an essential service that must be
affordable and accommodating for
those who use it!
- Ray Botten
If we can increase tax
revenue through growth,
we can start to afford
better services.
- Ian Boddy
While I do believe it is important, I would need more
information as to why this has not already been done.
- Jacquie Furtner
I think public transit is one sphere where we can really start to be
creative going forward; we don't have to stick to outdated transit
schemes that aren't working for us anymore.
- Riel Warrilow

57. Transit question responses
We need to analyze ridership
and operating costs for the
last 10 years and see if it is
feasible to expand the service
area.
- Paul Patille
I believe there is a
difference between
offering the service we
want to offer, and a
service that people can
use.
- Richard Thomas
We can not afford to bleed
anymore if we want to
keep our taxes from
increasing.
- Denae Moores
For the City to thrive, I think we need to focus on several sectors;
attracting new residents and businesses, build on the recent
industrial expansions, work with RT07 to capitalize on tourism
opportunities and continue to promote ourselves as the arts &
culture hub of Grey and Bruce Counties.
- Travis Dodd
We cannot increase our
taxes for this service.
- John Tamming

58. Gail McCartney - Council Candidate
Tagline:
Platform:
Experience:
Growth & development is the way forward.
Growth, innovation, pragmatism.
Realtor 20+ years. Current President of
Realtors Association. Current Chair of
Political Action for Association.
Homeowner, landlord, daughter, mother,
grandmother. Many charities; past
President of MS Society of Grey Bruce.
facebook.com/GailMcCartney2018

59. What Do You
Offer?
In a single sentence, what's
the greatest asset you offer
electors as their
representative?
I believe I am capable of taking in information, asking
questions and making decisions that benefit the city
without bias or agenda.
- Gail McCartney

60. Gail’s Top Priorities
Priorities: 1) Promote investment and Growth
2) Housing For Seniors and home
ownership for families
3) Downtown improvement

61. Owen Sound’s
Brand
In your opinion, which of the
following BEST describes the
City of Owen Sound's brand?
Arts &
culture hub
Lacking a
marketable identity
(No one chose “Tourism destination” or
“Manufacturing hub”)
Retirement
destination
None or
Other

62. Our brand question responses
We have much to offer in arts and culture
and I feel this is one of our richest assets
which brings quality of life to our area.
- Marion Koepke
I would have chosen multiple answers if I
could, as it is an attractive retirement
destination because of the arts and
culture and beauty.
- Gail McCartney
Our identity still requires better
definition and development.
- Carol Merton
Time to see our city as a National and
International destination!
- Ray Botten
A place where creative entrepreneurs, smart
industry and active adults want to live.
- Ian Boddy

63. Our brand question responses
A city with a vibrant downtown core, a
creative hub for entrepreneurs, fulfilling
opportunities for our youth and offering an
affordable lifestyle. - Travis Dodd
There is no brand.
- Paul Patille
The up and coming place you
want to live. - Denae Moores
I think the City Brand is best described as "Regional Centre".
- Richard Thomas
I think that we would like to be some of the other
things too, but aren't there yet.
- Riel Warrilow
So much effort has been made in the past to
advertise Owen Sound as a retirement
community, that it is taking a lot of effort to
attract younger talent and families, but this can
be changed and I hope to be able to work on this.
- Jacquie Furtner

64. Forward
Looking
How would you personally
like to see Owen Sound
described 10 years from
now?
Arts &
culture hub
All of the above
(Candidates were asked to make a selection. No
one chose the options “Retirement destination,”
“Manufacturing hub,” or “Tourism destination.”
Written-in responses were too many, and too
lengthy, to include.)
Other

65. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
Poor perception is creating the most obstacles,
and it is fixable, if we can see the value in what we
already have and use what is strong to build and
move forward.
- Jacquie Furtner

66. Lack of ability to draw people to our city, and yes it is
fixable.
- Paul Patille
Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?

67. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
We can be so negative about change;
it is absolutely fixable.
- Riel Warrilow

68. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
Transparency. Absolutely it is fixable but it
also involves individuals ability to be
accountable.
- Denae Moores

69. Our greatest weakness in Owen Sound is not
supporting those in need!
- Ray Botten
Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?

70. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
Class divisions. Everything is fixable.
- Gail McCartney

71. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
Take care of the city and growth
will happen.
- Carol Merton

72. One of the messages from the Growth Forum was that
some community members focus only on our
perceived inferiority, when instead we all need to share
our positive stories within and beyond our community.
Owen Sound is a great place to live!
- Ian Boddy
Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?

73. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
I think currently our greatest weakness is our
downtown area which could be fixable by
promotion and marketing in a proper manner and
exploration of programs other municipalities have
put in place that have worked.
- Marion Koepke

74. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
I think the negativity many citizens express
regarding this community is one of its
biggest problems, but I think it is fixable.
- Richard Thomas

75. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
We don't share enough positive stories
about our local businesses, residents or
quality of life. Is it fixable? Yes, but it
requires everyone to work together to
positively promote our City.
- Travis Dodd

76. Owen Sound’s
Opportunity
In a single sentence, what is
Owen Sound's greatest
weakness, and is it fixable?
We appear utterly incapable of serious
public debates on most issues.
- John Tamming

77. Thank you...
This guide is for informational purposes only. It is neither
produced by nor affiliated with the City of Owen Sound,
Elections Ontario or any specific candidate. This guide is an
independent project and is not paid for or sponsored by any
organization, candidate or other entity in any way.
Please direct any questions to miranda@miranda-miller.com.

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