EloraFergusToday asked candidates in the upcoming municipal election to tell us a little bit about themselves and their platform.
Name: Peter W. Jones (aka dad, Jonesy, Pete)
Occupation: My current occupation is as a fleet manager for the Newton Group of Guelph. Previous occupations have been 421A Red Seal heavy equipment technician/operator , CWB welder, explosives technician, aggregate processing operator and mechanic (quarry and gravel pit), road and infrastructure construction, on-highway AZ driver and I also graduated from Conestoga College’s business program and a few more.
Long story short…If I don’t know something I learn it and gain the education and experience to back it up.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS !!!
How long have you lived in Guelph/Eramosa? I have lived in Guelph/Eramosa since 1986, at my family home and beside general welding, my parents business of 49 years. From 2006 - 2009 I was flying in and out of Ontario working in the petroleum industry in Alberta and British Columbia.
My brother and I both went to Marden Public School, just across Hwy 6 from our home. It was a great school and full of awesome families (I remember the Santa Clause Parade floats the families of our school would build for Christmas)
Do you reside in the ward you are running in? My family and I do reside in the ward that I am running in … Ward 2. I know or am acquainted with families in almost every ward of our township and have been shown a great amount of support and encouragement to run for office from all of them.
Why are you running in this election? My reasons for running in this election are fairly simple…. I would like to see more accountability for municipal decisions, clarity on rules and regulations pertaining to municipal residents and clear and concise COMMUNICATION from our township pertaining to all issues…. from leaf collection to mask mandates and everything in between.
When I have spoken with residents and businesses all over the township and the same basic issues are brought up…. enforcement of some bylaws and not others, with little to no explanation. A sad and all to common belief that it is easier to “beg for forgiveness then to ask for permission” when it comes to what we do with our properties …. And a general feeling that people just don’t feel that they are being heard!
It is my belief that when a person represents the people of their community…. They fight for the greater good of everyone…not themselves.
What qualifies you to represent your ward? I am a father of two, a husband of a first generation immigrant, a son of hardworking small business owners and deal with a lot of the same stress and difficulties other families in our community face on a daily basis.
My family personally understands the strain on nurses and medical clinics in our community and the effects of COVID-19. A recurring personal battle with depression, anxiety and the sometimes crushing weight of responsibility are openly dealt with almost daily with the support of my family and friends.
The issues facing our local farmers, small business’s and trades people, seniors and home owners, educators and healthcare professionals are numerous….. I am not blind to their troubles and wish to help in anyway I can.
My background in mining, road construction, manufacturing, home building etc….has given me a unique and slightly deeper understanding of the issues facing our community …and the knowledge to cut through the B.S.
Why should people vote for you? I enjoy a good fight… hate B.S….am not in this for the money and own my mistakes.
I curse and swear, get angry, tell bad jokes, work too much and have a tendency to cut straight to the point.
Vote for me or don’t vote for me….. JUST VOTE !!!!
What do you see as the main issues facing residents of the ward?
The increasing number of power outages, the difficulties and expense in building on our properties and the general feeling of not being represented by our councillor.
What do you see as the main issues facing residents of Guelph/Eramosa on a broader scale? Sustainable development and growth of our Township and community without financially ruining the long standing families who have been here the longest.
What is the most important thing you want to see changed in Guelph/Eramosa? I would like to see industrial, agricultural and commercial properties be given the same amount of freedom to build on their properties as residentially zoned properties (ie. percentage of lot coverage)
What services need to be improved in Guelph/Eramosa? More support for community events, Increased funding for parks and recreation, better fall and winter maintenance of our streets and roadways and a broader involvement of our community in municipal affairs.
Is Guelph/Eramosa growing too fast, just the right amount, or not fast enough? It is growing too fast in some areas and not fast enough in others, a broader more transparent view and explanation of the townships five and 10 year plans would be great.
What can be done at the local level about the rising cost of housing? Make it economically feasible through permits and zoning for individuals or developers to create housing at a manageable purchase price. I understand the free market supposedly controls the purchase price of homes, properties by bids, but if legal the township could legislate costs for development that exponentially increase with sale price. The more you sell it for the more you pay for it in township fees etc.
It’s just an opinion and it’s probably wrong.
Do speed limits need to be reviewed in Rockwood and the township? Yes…. Increased limits in certain areas to help with traffic flow throughout the township. I have grown up on Highway 6 with a speed limit of 80km/h …15 feet from our front door. For the most part the roads in our township have been around longer then the neighbourhoods they serve and therefore should be given priority to do what they were intended to…move traffic in the most efficient and expedited way possible.
How do we make Guelph/Eramosa an even better place to live? Allow the people and businesses within our township to use their properties to the best of their needs and with as much assistance and support as possible from the township. The township does not pay our residents mortgages or bills and therefore should only have the right to enforce economically sustainable community oriented rules and regulations that benefit the tax payers and property owners but also take into account a greater vision for our community…whatever that may be.
Any link to an election website or social media account: https://www.facebook.com/Pete-Jones-for-Township-Council-Ward-2-112863684874015/
