Photo from Finch's campaign page
With the Norfolk County mayoral debate coming up on Tuesday, October 13th, we’ve reached out to each of the candidates to hear more about their background, why they decided to run, and the issues they would like to address if elected.
Over the coming days, we’ll be featuring the candidates who have joined us in the studio, giving each an opportunity to speak about their campaign and their vision for Norfolk County.
Norfolk County mayoral candidate Dave Finch says his previous municipal experience and concerns about the direction of the county motivated him to enter the race.
Finch is a retired paramedic who spent 40 years in the profession before leaving due to post-traumatic stress disorder.
During his recovery, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Public Administration and Governance through Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University.
After reaching retirement age, Finch says he returned to school and completed a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy.
He now works as a psychotherapist in the Simcoe area.
He has also previously served three terms as an elected alderman in Grimsby and spent four years as an appointed member of the town’s planning committee.
He says his experience in municipal government, combined with what he sees as problems at Norfolk County Hall, convinced him to run for mayor.
If elected, Finch says one of his major priorities would be Norfolk County’s finances.
He says the county needs to continue replenishing its reserves while taking a hard look at spending and finding ways to eliminate waste.
Another major priority for Finch is attracting more industrial development to Norfolk County.
He says the county has not put enough effort into attracting industry in recent years and argues that a stronger industrial tax base would help reduce the financial burden on residential and farm properties.
He also believes more industrial development could provide opportunities for young people who grow up in Norfolk County but leave the area for post-secondary education and do not return because of a lack of employment opportunities.
Finch’s third priority is environmental stewardship, particularly when it comes to water and wastewater treatment.
He says Simcoe’s water supply is a concern and argues that simply drilling more wells is only a temporary solution.
Finch also raised concerns about the Lynn River and what he claims is the large amount of treated wastewater entering the river from the sewage treatment plant.
He says the eventual replacement of the Simcoe wastewater treatment plant should be approached as an opportunity to improve environmental stewardship.
Finch also says Norfolk needs a long-term strategy for its water supply, pointing to the potential effects of changing rainfall patterns and drought on the county’s aquifers.
He says the municipality needs to consider what could happen if aquifers are not replenished at the rate needed to support both rural residents and future development.
