Municipal Matters who are you voting for?
By Laura Parent
If it’s not apparent from the hundreds of colourful signs screaming “Vote for Me!” Whitby will soon be having another municipal election. While many of the students cannot vote (yet), it is important to voice our opinions and see what the candidates have to say - not only about what they can do for us - but also what we can do for Whitby. After speaking with several Sinclair students, some issues that arose were: more places for kids to play (such as outdoor pools), areas for teens, feeding jobs into Whitby, landscaping, useful budget spending and better medical care. I was unable to speak to current Mayor Pat Perkins, but I was able to meet with Rocky Varcoe and Marcel Brunelle to discuss these issues.
The first issue that I brought up was an area for kids and teens to hang out and play. Both candidates agree that we need places in Whitby for teens to go. Mr. Brunelle stressed finding a way to work with the school board to create places for youth. He also proposes to survey students to understand what things should be put into Whitby, based on what teens want to see. Mr. Brunelle was in favour of involving youth to create an environment that they enjoy. Mr. Varcoe mentioned a facility he constructed in Cobourg that held dances with live Canadian bands such as Hello Beautiful and Hedley. Cobourg teens can go there to hang out and listen to music in a safe environment.
Another issue that was brought up was medical care. Concerning the issue of doctors, there is not much that can be done on a municipal level, but we can lobby the government to make family physicians more accessible for patients. As for a hospital, Mr. Varcoe says we will not see a ‘real’ hospital until at least 2022-or, simply, not for a very long time. However, both candidates suggest the possibility of a teaching hospital. It would be located close to UOIT/Durham College, where there would be no shortage of doctors, as many would be students. This new hospital would benefit the community and the students.
Although we cannot vote, it’s important that we are aware of these issues. The Celtic Journal wishes both luck, and hopes that whoever becomes mayor is a positive leader in Whitby. I know for sure that Sinclair students will voice their opinions on what they want to see in Whitby.
