Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/398653
By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Rideau Lakes financing and investment in infra- structure were themes of last week's all ward and mayoralty candidate meet- ings held in Elgin, Lom- bardy and Newboro last Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Through the week Bas- tard and South Burgess councilor candidate Paula Banks has been leading an online and all-candidate meeting campaign to determine the Township of Rideau Lakes's actual financial obligations. Her questions led to discussion of the issue at council Monday where her husband, South Elmsley councilor Jeff Banks looked for answers to the question of the size of the township's debt. Election obligations have prevented township staff from giving the can- didate an answer to her questions, which would put them in the vulnerable position of providing interpretation of data to a candidate. "The limitation on staff is that we can't do research analysis work on behalf of candidates. It's up to them to do their own work and draw their own conclu- sions," said CAO Mike Dwyer. Candidates have access to budget documents, provincial Financial Infor- mation Returns, financial reports and monthly and annual audited financial statements to determine what the township's debt is. Verbal estimates from the township treasurer place the township's cur- rent borrowing for its own capital projects at $6.6 million which does not include any borrowing which could be undertak- en to finish this year's cap- ital projects. Verbal estimates place the Lower Beverley Lake Park's hydro upgrade pro- ject borrowing at over $300,000, paid back with park revenues, and bor- rowing for the Elgin seniors housing is over $500,000, and is paid for with rents. The financing was obtained within the bor- rowing capacity of the township but projects gen- erate revenues which ser- vice their own financing. "I can give you the raw data but it is up to them and their campaign to do what they want," said Dwyer. Depending on cash flow, including winter maintenance costs, the township can currently borrow an additional $2.4 million later this year to pay for this year's road construction and hard sur- facing, said Holman in a discussion with council on Tuesday. Thursday, October 16, 2014 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 122, No. 41 $1 incl. tax Brian's Window Cleaning Residential • Commercial 266 Cty. Rd. 10N, 613-273-4655 Westport, ON K0G 1X0 613-985-5755 Mirror The Review Close to 40 family and friends gathered at Francois and Allison Scheuermann's vineyard Saturday for a harvest barbecue. It was the second year the crop has yielded grapes. This Saturday, they are having another harvest, this time to pick grapes for their white wine. They hope to have all 8,800 plants in production next year. Watch next week's Review-Mirror for more on their operation. •Continued on page 2 Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. & Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Westport Village Pharmacy 3 Church St., Westport, ON 613-273-2922 westportvillagepharmacy@gmail.com COMING SOON after October 24 th COMING SOON after October 24 th ROBIN MAYOR robin4mayor.com tel: 613 273 9195 INTEGRITY ACCOUNTABILITY TRANSPARENCY Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES $ 899 .00 18 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator •Humidity-Controlled Crisper Drawers •Spacewise ® Organization System •Spill Safe ® Shelves Model # FGHT1832PF • Reg. $999.00 30" Stainless Steel Range •Easy Temperature Probe TM •Keep Warm Zone •SpaceWise TM Expandable Elements •Easy Baking Technology Model #CGEF3032MF • Reg. $1199.95 $ 999 95 Debt dominating Rideau Lakes's campaign theme