Photo from Keith Milner 4 Mayor Facebook 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.
Keith Milner says his decision to run for mayor is rooted in his connection to Norfolk County and concerns about the direction of municipal government.
Milner says he wants to provide what he describes as stable and accountable leadership, and believes the county needs to take a different approach to spending and governance.
His first major priority is addressing what he calls unsustainable property tax increases.
As part of that broader approach to spending and accountability, Milner says he would also strictly limit the use of outside consultants and look for expertise within the community wherever possible.
He also wants to modernize council operations, arguing that councillors currently receive hundreds of pages of information and are sometimes expected to make major decisions within a matter of days.
Milner says technology could be used to analyze information and provide councillors with more concise reports, while designated councillors would be kept regularly updated on projects within their portfolios.
Water and wastewater rates are another major concern for Milner.
He also points to the growth of county reserves and says detailed reviews of spending could identify opportunities to reduce costs.
The third major issue Milner wants to address is the protection of farmland.
He says there are many other issues he would like to address, including homelessness, drug trafficking, addiction, garbage collection and the revitalization of town centres, and says his campaign is focused on bringing what he describes as mature governance and greater fiscal responsibility to Norfolk County.
Milner is one of seven certified candidates running for mayor in the October 26th municipal election.
