Brent Anderson profile

Brent Anderson
(incumbent
councillor)

Political/Community Experience:
* Member of Rainy River Council - 6 years
* Financial Director RRWT - 7 years
* Treasurer Rainy River / Stratton United Church Joint Board - 3 years
* Past Treasurer - Rainy River Charitable Association
* Past Treasurer - Rainy River Chamber of Commerce
* Past Assistant Coach - Rainy River/LOW Minor Hockey - Girls 10U Team
* Past Member of the Rainy River Volunteer Fire Department

Why are you running for Office:
I am running for re-election as Councillor for Rainy River because I wish to continue to serve and represent the citizens of this community.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Rainy River?
The biggest challenge facing Rainy River is how to effectively respond to senior levels of governments (provincial and federal) who have consistently and continually demonstrated their lack of financial support for rural Northwestern Ontario including Rainy River. The downloading of the financial responsibility for the cost of many essential services has placed a burden on Rainy River that is unacceptable and becoming unsustainable. The result is very evident; declining condition of all major infrastructure, lack of economic growth, declining property values, closure of local business, high user fees for utilities such as water/sewer, and a declining population base.

What to do about it / My Platform:
The inadequate funding for rural Northwestern Ontario communities and Rainy River can only be addressed by joining together as a region and strongly conveying our displeasure and the highlighting of the serious damage which is being inflicted on small towns in our region. As a council we must encourage our associations such as NOMA and the RRDMA to continue to call for increased funding for small communities. We must also encourage and support calls for:
* A greater share of provincial and federal revenues from gas taxes to assist in rebuilding roads
* Additional funding for capital costs and operational costs to enable our communities to meet the growing list of provincially mandated regulations such as the New Clean Water Act.
* A greater and consistent share of revenue from provincial lottery revenues and the federal GST collected
As we wait for senior levels of government to address regional funding concerns, we must continue to act fiscally responsible while continuing to provide the essential services that we all expect and deserve for the tax dollars collected by this municipality.
If re-elected I will continue to support and speak for:
* Responsible spending
* Continued financial support at current levels for our recreation facilities, library, and parks.
* Elimination of wasteful spending
* Development and the adherence to seven year capital spending plans for the replacement and renewal of infrastructure replacement and renewal.
* Aggressively seek/apply for all grants to assist in the funding of identified priority projects
* Property tax increases and user fee increases must be justified and transpire only when all other options are fully considered and exhausted.
* Implementation of a strategy to proceed with the sewer renewal project with or without COMRIF funding. We can not accept further delay; we need action on this project.
* Providing economic relief to our business community
* Development of a strategy that will stem the outflow of people from Rainy River and eventually result in increased property values
* Council gives appropriate consideration and support for all legitimate economic plans or proposals
* Working with all community shareholders for the benefit of the community

Tell us about yourself:
I am a Professional Certified General Accountant with over 16 years of financial and accounting experience. I am currently employed as the Divisional Accountant at the Ainsworth-Barwick OSB facility. I am married with two daughters who presently attend school in Rainy River. I was raised in Rainy River and returned in 1999 after 15 years in Winnipeg. Upon my return, I have been active in the community serving or providing assistance to many groups and organizations. I am especially pleased with the great success of the RRWT and the positive contribution it has had on this community and the many groups and organizations that have participated in the event. This event proves that a small community can achieve great things when there is widespread support.

Other Comments about the election or yourself:
This may in fact be the most important election we have faced in our history. I truly believe that due to the issues we face, and the urgency in which we must act, this is the time to elect a Mayor that is strong, determined, proven, and has experience. I believe that person is Mr. Ed Tymkin. I am confident that Mr. Tymkin will deliver our messages and concerns to whomever necessary in an unambiguous and unmistakable fashion. Mr. Tymkin is an experienced councillor who has effectively served this community for many years. He is a councillor who has demonstrated a complete understanding of the issues we face. More importantly, I am positive he has the leadership skills to ensure council will remained focused on the important issues and seek long-term solutions to the challenges we face.
I appreciate the support you have given me in the past elections. If re-elected I pledge to continue carrying out my duties and responsibilities as councillor to the best of my ability with the best interest of the community as my objective.