There is a wealth of information in this site, and details of many accomplishments that have been achieved in Trent Hills during the past seven years I have served you as Mayor. There is also a page of “Election Info” that contains important dates, information, and links regarding the upcoming 2010 Trent Hills Municipal Election, and the “Vote by Mail” system. Please check this page to find out how you can ensure you are on the “Voter’s List”.
My grandson Wesley, the Koolaid man and I at a "Let Them Be Kids" cheque presentation. Smiles all around as we received $10,000 from Tom Behan.
During the past two terms of Council, it has been my absolute honour to represent you as your Mayor. Many accomplishments by your council have occurred during the last seven years, and throughout this website, I have listed many of them. From Infrastructure improvements, to lifestyle, agriculture, economic development, tourism and recreation. During the last Municipal Election in 2006, all of my Council team-mates and I were challenged, and all of us returned to continue with many of our objectives including operating good local government using solid business practices and policies. Sadly, some of my colleagues have announced their retirement from your Council this year, and it goes without saying, they will surely be missed due to their hard work, dedication, and team spirit to achieve good governance, and excellence in municipal service delivery.
The results of the 2006 Municipal election told us the general consensus of Trent Hills voters is that you are generally pleased with Council’s direction, and accomplishments. For myself, I have found council work to be both challenging and humbling, not unlike the building and operation of a business. It’s good to see things that have been an issue for us for so many years get corrected, and I have also listed some of those successes in this website. That doesn’t diminish the fact there is still much to do, and resolving our need for new recreational facilities in Campbellford and Hastings is a high priority.
The Trent Valley Woolen Manufacturing Power Rights, (known locally as the Woolen Mill Power rights), and corewall sewers issues are delicate and long-term negotiations with Parks Canada. I have worked long and tirelessly on both of these problems in an effort to bring a solution to Council for their potential approval. Without getting into the many intricate details of these issues here, I can tell you both of these issues are either going to be either multi-million dollar benefits or liabilities for Trent Hills. I believe I am very close to a positive resolution for one of them.
You may recall the 12 page booklet I sent to you during the 2003 Municipal election. As you may know, I expressed many heartfelt concerns we shared with the direction of Trent Hills at that time. I have reprinted excerpts from the original booklet, and updated it with information regarding where we stand today on those very concerns. I encourage you to take a look at it, and discover some very positive and interesting results we have achieved as a unified Council and community.
My goal of operating Trent Hills as a business was paramount for me in 2003, and more than ever today. Using successful business practices and strategies has resulted in effective and efficient operations of an annual Trent Hills municipal budget in excess of 20 million dollars including our Water and Sewer Department, while keeping the bottom line (tax rates) in focus. As we go forward with increased energy, insurance, policing, and labour costs, we have still witnessed another drop in our tax rates during the last two consecutive years. This tells me a couple of things, our assessment base has grown with 408 brand new homes since 2003, and we are getting better at delivering the services you expect. It’s also noteworthy to recognize the past two winters have been brutal on our winter control budget, and yet we continue to get better, faster, and less costly at performing our jobs. Our residential tax rates continue to be approximately in the middle of the seven municipalities in Northumberland County.
The continuity and significant acheivements we enjoy at Trent Hills Council are due to good leadership, and that means making the tough decisions as well as the simple ones. To keep seven people that each have their own mindset, qualities, and strengths focused on the many decisions that lay in front of them on a regular basis, requires strong, successful leadership abilities. I believe my strengths in leadership and business operations have been key in our operations as good-quality service providers and responding to our community needs quickly, and effectively. Long term goals are also qualities that successful business operators are known for, and keep in the forefront. It is impossible to achieve long term objectives in the future, without laying down solid business plans and strategies today. It is also important to remember that as your Mayor, I am also a County Councillor, and past Warden of Northumberland County. What occurs at County Council, directly impacts us in Trent Hills.
The 2010 Trent Hills annual municipal budget is in excess of 20 million dollars including our Water and Sewer Department. The 2010 Northumberland County annual budget is almost 94 million dollars. This is BIG business and it requires leadership and management by people with a solid, strong, and successful business background. I have been in business all my life. Everyone should do what they do best.
To keep good, responsible government in Trent Hills that manages your tax dollars effectively, please…
RE-ELECT HECTOR MACMILLAN AS YOUR MAYOR
“We deserve the government we elect”