TOWNSHIP OF RUSSELL – Municipal elections are more important than many people think. Of all the level of government we deal with, the municipal level is the one in which we can have the most direct impact and interaction.

With that in mind, The Record, to introduce the certified candidates to their constituents as clearly and as equitably as possible chose to send each candidate, regardless of whether they were running for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Councillor a list of three questions. Each candidate was allowed a total of 200 words to answer each question, and their answers would be published as received, with the only editing being for spelling and grammar, and length, should they exceed 200 words (word 201 onward would not be published.)

Candidates were advised that they were under no obligation to respond and that we would make no comment if they did, or they did not do so. A strong belief in Journalism is that it is not a journalist’s job to tell the public what to think, but what to think about. We each make our own, hopefully informed, decisions.

Here are the three questions, followed by the responses we received from each candidate. Last week we started with North Dundas. This week, we will feature the Township of Russell, which differs slightly as they have a Mayor and four Councillors rather than a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors. Mayor Mike Tarnowski was acclaimed, so the responses to our questions will come from the candidates for Councillor.

Candidate Questions:

  1. What do you believe should be the top priorities for the municipality over the next four years, and what would you like to see council accomplish during your term in office?
  2. Municipalities face increasing pressure to provide services and maintain infrastructure while keeping taxes and other costs affordable for residents. How would you approach balancing these competing demands, and what factors would guide your decisions?
  3. What do you believe are the two most important issues or opportunities facing our community that deserve greater attention from municipal council, and what would you propose doing about them?

Lisa Deacon, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: Every minute of research, connection, motion and meeting preparation is a reflection of the investment that the public has made into my work. It is a privilege to work directly with and for the public and I take that very seriously, not just in words but in action. Back in June I conducted a thorough evaluation of my first term’s commitments against what I had delivered. I brought that review as well as open ended questions to ask residents exactly where they wanted me to focus my work for them if I were fortunate to continue to serve. The top priorities that came back were: Affordability and responsible growth; Sustainable infrastructure; Local government that works for and with the public; Safe, accessible and connected transportation, and; Vibrant public spaces that meet community needs. Each of these areas signals an opportunity for our community to move forward, together, to respond to our immediate needs and plan for a brighter future for our children. Details on each of these priorities are available on my website.

Question 2: I have dedicated my career to producing data and research that supports leaders to make evidence-based decisions and undertake careful planning. Now I am at that table, relying on the right information at the right time to make the best decisions for my community. We are fortunate in Russell Township to be experiencing growth, coupled with a high level of expertise in long-term financial planning in Township administration to ensure that those dollars from growth support a solid foundation for future planning. In the coming years as large capital projects such as the recreation complex comes online and we prepare for the construction of our future wastewater treatment plant we will rely heavily on the careful asset management planning that has been undertaken during these past few years to ensure that infrastructure, including roads, continues to follow a strategy that favours long-term improvements and sustainability while mitigating risk and reducing shocks to rate payers.

Question 3: I am excited for the opportunity of masterplanning the future of recreational facilities including the current Russell and Embrun arenas. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity as a community to direct future uses of those lands and buildings to respond directly to community needs which could include attracting and expanding healthcare services, bringing in more diverse recreation options, partnering to develop purpose-built housing, childcare, and commercial activity in our village cores. Every voice matters: The consultation for this is underway, I urge residents to participate. It is also critical during these next four years for the Municipality to reflect the values that we hold dear through growth and change. As a Council and as an administration we must centre the public’s experiences and lead with care and connection.

To sign off: Residents have asked me to disclose any use of AI during this campaign. My answers today come from my own head and heart, typed up at my kitchen table without the use of AI.

Dominique Bertrand, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: My priority is to respect our roots while growing together. We need to plan responsibly for growth, infrastructure and services while protecting green space, supporting local businesses and maintaining our small-town feel. Our volunteer groups are at the heart of that community spirit, and I want to see the municipality support their work. I also want residents to feel heard and involved in decisions that affect them.

Question 2: A small tax increase is inevitable if we want to maintain the services and infrastructure our growing community needs. My responsibility would be to ensure residents are getting good value for their money. I would look for efficiencies first, carefully evaluate major projects and consider user fees for services that go beyond the average resident’s needs. Decisions should be guided by affordability, necessity, long-term impact and value for taxpayers.

Question 3: Two priorities are managing growth and transportation. We should densify within existing settlement areas before expanding outward, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace. With continued growth, we will need to look at bringing public transit to our community, along with safer, connected options for walking and cycling. Growth should mean more than building houses—it should mean building a community where people and families can thrive.

Nick Gallagher, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: I think our top priorities over the next four years should be planning for the future and building a strong community.

The Township is growing and we need to make sure we’re planning ahead, not just for housing but for the infrastructure, services and community spaces that come with that growth. I also want our streets to stay safe and connected rather than simply becoming thoroughfares for traffic. We need to think about people walking and biking, especially our kids and look at ways to manage speed and make our neighbourhoods safer.

Building a strong community also means making sure kids and teens have places to play, gather and stay active. I’d like to see more opportunities for people of all ages to connect and feel like they’re part of their community.

I’d also like us to do more to support local businesses to establish and grow by cutting red tape, simplifying the permit process and making it easier to work with the municipality. A strong local economy supports families and keeps our community vibrant. And access to daycare is important for families, especially with so many heading back to the office 4-5 times a week.

Question 2: I think it really comes down to being responsible with taxpayers money while planning for the future. We want to keep taxes affordable but we also have to make sure we’re maintaining our roads, infrastructure, recreation facilities and other services properly.

Before taking on major projects I’d want to ask some basic questions like do we need it? Can we afford it? What’s it going to cost to maintain? And are there grants or other funding opportunities we can take advantage of? At the same time I don’t think we should simply push projects down the road if we know delaying them will make them significantly more expensive later.

I also think we need to look beyond property taxes and find other sources of revenue when possible. That means pursuing provincial and federal funding, building partnerships, looking at opportunities with private equity for economic development and making better use of municipal assets.

And before asking residents to pay more we should always look for efficiencies and make sure projects are properly planned and managed.

We have to try to balance our needs and priorities and ensure we are getting the most out of our tax dollars .

Question 3: I think one of the biggest opportunities for the Township is making sure that as we grow we’re building communities, not just houses.

I don’t want to see us simply continue to sprawl into farmland without thinking about what these communities are going to look like. We should be building pedestrian and bike friendly neighbourhoods with retail, services, parks and recreation close by so people don’t always have to get in their cars to do everything. That means fewer cars on the road and safer streets. And just as importantly we need to make sure we keep the smalltown feel and identity that makes the Township such a great place to live.

I also think we need a good mix of housing as we grow, including single family homes, townhouses, and some duplexes and triplexes so we can add density in a thoughtful way without putting too many cars and too much parking in one area.

I’d also like to see more opportunities for retail and commercial services within our communities where it makes sense so people have easier access to the things they need. Growth should mean building better communities, not just bigger ones.

Charles Armstrong, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: We are a rapidly growing municipality, and the Township must address the challenges of accommodating this growth. We are forecast to have a population of more than 30,000 by 2046, up from 20,000 in 2021. Our immediate challenges are in the areas of water supply, sewage treatment, fire protection services, traffic congestion and urban sprawl.

Water supply needs can be accommodated by increasing contracted water supply from Ottawa, the wastewater treatment is another matter entirely. The top priority for our Township must be the necessary wastewater treatment plant The recommended solution is to build a wastewater treatment plant at an estimated cost of $95 million, within the next 10 years. I believe that Council’s immediate priority is to develop a plan to finance this major project.

The Township’s second priority, in my opinion, is to address the need for improved fire protection services. We currently rely on volunteer firefighters to meet our needs. Our current population of about 21,000 demands one full-time team to provide initial timely responses to calls.

Urban sprawl is of particular concern to me. Agriculture is the single largest industry in the Township of Russell, and it is of national importance. I will push to have future Township Official Plans limit the encroachment of urbanization onto agricultural lands by increasing the density of new sub-divisions.

Question 2: Russell Township is a growing municipality of an estimated 21,000 current population and forecast to be 30,000+ by 2046. We are just completing construction of a new $100+ million recreation complex with three arenas, an indoor pool, and a new community centre. We will soon be rich in indoor recreation facilities! This new complex is intended to replace four older facilities: two separate arenas, an outdoor pool, and a community centre. The money currently operating the older facilities has been programed in to paying the mortgage and operations of the new complex. The future of the old facilities is the subject of much debate in the Township. In my view these old facilities must be demolished, or cost-neutral uses be found for them, to control property tax increases.

The financing of our other needs, a new wastewater treatment plant, road improvements, and increased fire protection services will require phased property tax and user fee increases, beginning next year, to avoid major future single year increases. Looking out the long term is the key to avoiding tax and user fee shocks.

Question 3: The two most important issues facing the Township of Russell are the need to accommodate long term growth and protection of our farmland.

I have addressed these issues above, increasing our water and wastewater capacities will resolve the most important growth capacity issues but increasing our urban density is required to protect our farmland. This is a delicate balancing act that will require the continuing attention of the next Council and several future Councils.

Next week, we will have the comments from Stormont County.