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BACK CITY HALL LOCAL BUSINESS — We need to establish a radical re-focus on local business in Ottawa before we give the whole store away. I have a particular interest in this field because I believe micro economics is necessary to keep the heart of the community alive. I have the education and experience to give a meaningful contribution to the task of strengthening our local economy. My education includes a degree in social sciences at Carleton University in 1987. I then began training in small business development from Algonquin College and from several community development programs. I worked both in a paid and on a voluntary basis with small business development programs until 1990. I was involved in the establishment, development and operation of two businesses one in Kemptville and one in Spencerville from 1990-2002. The business in Spencerville is still operating. Two main areas I intend to focus on as mayor are equalization funding which is of great interest to the small and medium rural business and the second is the municipal process in the areas of public consultation and accountability of city staff and public officials which is paramount to all small and medium local business. I also want to revamp the Business Improvement Area mandate for Ottawa to include the greatest emphasis on small and medium size local business. EQUALIZATION FUNDING In the Canadian Constitution section 36 the provincial and federal government committed to providing funding to help equalize citizens and regions in Canada. For the past 10-20 years the government has been arbitrarily withdrawing this funding without reducing our tax rates. For the rural areas this means increased costs, increased taxes and loss of services. I am acutely aware of the withdrawal of equalization funding which is devastating small business in the rural areas by causing increases in hydro, communication and education cost to mention a but a few. Under the tax reform section on my website you can see my strategy to deal with cutbacks and tax increases. Tax Reform CONFLICT OF INTEREST I also propose that Council disallow any group, individual or organization that takes funding from the City (or who the city collects mandatory levees for) to lobby council formally or informally, as I strongly perceive this as a conflict of interest. Ref:website And individuals, companies and groups that contribute financially to the campaigns of councilors or the mayor should not be receiving contracts and appointments by the city. This will help reduce the domination of council by interests that may be contrary to the interests of the citizens of Ottawa. A local Office of the Inspector General which is like an Omudsman'office with teeth. And we badly need an appeal process for staff and council decisions. ACCOUNTABILITY REDUCED AREAS OF FUNDING I also believe that the municipal government is funding to many endeavors some of which could be left to private funding and or funding from other levels of government. The primary areas that the municipal government should be focused on are Security (which includes necessary social programs), Streets and Sewers. IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS In two ways the City can improve the effectiveness of its programs. One, with increased accountability through the Ombudsman's office. Also effectiveness and efficiency can be improved by committing to rational Humane Social Policy. Ref:website Jane SCHARF for Mayor of Ottawa-Nov 13, Email: jane@takebackcityhall.info Website: www.takebackcityhall.info Phone: 613-740-1146 |
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