It looks like respondents in our Thorold municipal election survey are split on some issues, but there is an overwhelming wave of interest in a couple of priorities related to healthcare in our community.
MY Thorold conducted an online survey from August 23 to September 22, 2022 to measure the political pulse of our community. This article covers what we found in reviewing responses today. A full summary report on the survey will be published in MY Thorold October 2022 newsletter. Here is a preview of key findings.
More than three-quarters (78%) of survey respondents think our municipal government should do more to recruit family doctors to open a medical office in Thorold for residents.
Let’s see if any good ideas on this priority for voters are proposed by candidates during the campaign. Candidates saturating the city with their campaign signs with slogans or glossy flyers listing their volunteer activities are not useful for this important issue. Candidates stepping forward with actionable initiatives is what our community really needs for the health of Thorold residents.
Another health-related topic that showed a strong response in the survey is the need for a Long-term Care Facility in Thorold. Respondents made their point emphatically in favour of Thorold City Council to push the Niagara Region to open a Long-Term Care facility in our community. Sure, we understand that Long Term Care is not a municipal responsibility. At the same time, that does not mean our council ignores the need in our community. Our city councillors can make it a priority to lobby upper levels of government to meet needs for long-term care in Thorold.
Families are challenged when a loved one is placed in a LTC facility in north end St. Catharines or Niagara Falls. It takes time to travel daily, and those with no vehicle find it more difficult to visit loved ones in a distant LTC. Thorold families deserve better. Our survey shows the community wants advocacy and action by strong voices on council to lobby the province and the Niagara Region to address the need in Thorold for long-term care.
Big Majority of Voters Will Cast Ballots at Polling Stations
Low Interest in Online Voting
The survey also showed we have an engaged sample of the community. All respondents (100%) said they will vote in the municipal elections. However, almost three-quarters (72%) indicated they will vote in person at a polling station. Only 16 percent will vote online, according to the survey. (some are undecided or won’t say) This finding raises a question that begs to be asked. Was the push for a hefty expense ( possibly $100,000) to cover online voting a cost-effective decision by council?
This issue also leads to questions on the performance of council over this current term. When it comes to an assessment of council, it looks like our survey respondents are split. On a question asking if the current city council, 2018-2022, moved in a positive direction to benefit Thorold residents, slightly more respondents 35% do not feel council moved in a positive direction in 2018-22. This segment is a bit higher than those (30%) who agree it moved in a positive direction during this term.
What really stands out loud and clear is expressed in the open-ended question we asked on the two most important issues or concerns facing Thorold.
What are your 2 most important issues/concerns facing Thorold?
This is the hot question that fired up the respondents with some scintillating statements on taxes and city services. Overall, almost one-third of the comments related to high taxes delivering inefficiency or inadequate services. Our interpretation of the comments is that ratepayers generally don’t see the value for their tax dollar in Thorold. Check out some of the comments by the survey respondents.
Be more careful on how tax money is spent; eg. $20,000 trees and money to St . Catharines for buildings what we have no ownership in. When new laws are enacted give warnings at first- and first-time offenders. as to have compassion.
Comment by Survey Respondent
Keeping taxes manageable for average people. Maintaining public services at a high level.
Responsible financial stewardship of people’s taxes to benefit residents in the best possible way, Community recreation and social supports
Lack of businesses like banks, retail stores, hardware stores etc. Also, decisions on where to spend money like Front Street and the park which was wasted money.
Financial accountability, a clear mission statement for Thorold and plan to carry it out
- Eliminating racial and social tensions from the Council. Electing candidates who work for the constituents and not themselves.
- Taxes and services
- Taxes and overpopulation Money Mgt / Services
- Overspending / Taxes
- How my taxes are being spent
- High costs of services provided, fire budget is too high
- High taxes / Lack of business
Frivolous spending on projects like battle of Beaverdams park, Canada games build
Wasteful spending and lack of transparency
Planning for future growth and financial responsibility.
Control of Finances that effect our tax levy. Control of growth to ensure safety in a controllable walkable green community
We should run Thorold city with a business mind set to bring business to Thorold bring people to Thorold to shop and be active in community
There were many other comments on the top two issues facing Thorold, too many to list here. However, if you live in Thorold, who would disagree with the following statement on the student housing issue?
1. Infilling established neighborhoods with monster housing.
TOP TWO ISSUES FOR A THOROLD SURVEY RESPONDENT
A semi should not have 16 bedrooms and bathrooms!!!!
Front lawns should not be paved for parking.
2. Less student housing
More importantly, are there any candidates running for city council who would not strongly agree with those two points?
Have your say. Vote as you may on election day!