Oct 09, 2014


cf heese victorCouncillor

Victor Heese – a less antagonistic approach

In the late 1980s, Victor Heese fell in love with the piece of property on the McLean Road where he now helps run the Sumac Centre. He moved to the old farmhouse on the property in the mid 90s to prepare for building the centre. After a couple of years, he was offered a job teaching English in Japan. Intending to stay for only two years, he ended up spending 12 years there but always with the intention of returning.

When he did come back in 2009, he brought his wife Naomi and their two young children.

Soon after arriving, he was part of the effort to keep Land O'Lakes Public School open and has since become the chair of the Parent Council. He has become involved in other community groups as well.

He decided to put his name forward for Council this time around when he learned there was a vacancy.

“When Norm [Guntensperger] moved out of the district there was a spot on Council, and since I‘ve often been involved in the communities where I’ve lived, I thought I'd try this. I also think I have an approach to getting things done that is a little less antagonistic than the way the township sometimes operates,” he said.

He cites the property standards bylaws as an example.

“The property standards bylaw is complaint driven, and that does not build community. What if instead we did a little cleanup every once in a while, engaged recycling companies to pick up old tires, got someone to offer to take the old cars and pay a price for them. Property owners would be offered support instead of receiving an order they may not be able to follow,” he said.

He would also like to see more citizen involvement in township matters, even in road maintenance.

“The technology exists for a database system to be in place to collect and store information from residents about perennial road problems. The work can be prioritised, and the plan for dealing with it and time frame all available to the public,” he said.

In terms of the issues facing council he sees police costs as major; as well, the budget process needs to ensure a balance between taxes collected and services delivered.. He would like to see more done to make the area attractive for new families to settle here.

“We have a fantastic school in Mountain Grove, a reasonable cost of living and beautiful land. We still need to deal with Internet in many locations because in order for a home-based or small business to survive, reliable Internet is essential. But I think there are opportunities for growth in Olden and in Central Frontenac. Perhaps a staff person at the township office could be assigned to find what funding is available for new businesses and what sort of regulations might apply. Let’s make it as easy as possible for people interested in starting a business by doing some of the legwork for them,” he said.

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