Chatham-Kent mayor elect Michael Bondy says voters sent a clear message on Monday night. “I think our local government had lost trust with the public and how do you rectify that? You make a change,” he said. A 16-year member of council, Bondy is promising changes at city hall starting with the budget. “We cannot continue to raise taxes five per cent year after year, compounded year after year after year. We just have to stop that,” he said. Outgoing mayor Darrin Canniff says he hopes progress will continue. “I want council to rally and keep the progress that we’ve made the last eight years going and keep the arts and culture and all those different things that were making a difference in our community. I want to keep that going,” he said. What would residents like to see from the next council? “My hope is that the elections will bring our taxes down,” said resident Karen Squire. Joanne Vanderveen is looking for change. “I hope they prioritize infrastructure,” she said. CK is facing a $2.6 billion gap over the next 30 years, thanks to aging infrastructure. Bondy says finding savings and efficiencies so there isn’t a tax increase will be a challenge “It sounds really dire and it is but it’s something that we can handle, and we’re going to mitigate. We’re not going to solve the infrastructure problem so again that’s a work in progress and that’s where staff and consultation comes in.” Bondy says the public will have input. There are other items on the residents’ wish list “Seniors is also a good focus. They’re on a fixed income and things are getting more and more expensive,” Vanderveen said. Squire wants councillor inclusion. So do many residents who object to the way the Chatham-Kent Community Hub, in the downtown district, came to be. Many residents we spoke with Monday point to how the Chatham Kent community hub came to be. “All council’s included in all meetings for any big, large structural whether it’s a beginning meeting or near the end. we gotta have that voice that says, ‘well, what about (this or that)…?’” Squire questioned. Bondy says other priorities include a potential restructuring of the corporation. “I look forward to working with the new council and buckle up, it’s going to be a fun four years,” Bondy told friends, family and supporters in his backyard following the victory. He takes office Nov. 15.
