Bob Olmstead

Oct 09, 2014

Councillor

Bob Olmstead – better supervision of roads crews

Bob Olmstead moved from Mississippi Station to Zealand Road a couple of years ago, and when he decided to seek election, that meant running in Central Frontenac this time around.

Olmstead was on North Frontenac Council from 2006-2010, before losing a re-election bid in ward 3 of that township.

He was raised at Mississippi Station, and did leave to work for hydro when he was a young man. He returned in 1983 and has lived locally ever since. He stayed with Hydro until he retired in 1999.

As a member of Council in North Frontenac and now as a candidate in Central Frontenac his major issue of concern remains road maintenance.

“Road maintenance is number 1; that's what concerns people the most, and that's where most of the money is spent, and that's where most of the mistakes are made,” he said. “The main thing, the most important thing, is for road crews to do things right the first time.”

Although he thinks that the township is in good shape and is well managed, he said, “I have a big issue with some of the work. They should be ditching the side of the roads better and their grading is poor, they are leaving what I call an eavestrough on the side of the road. I don't know if it is because of poor supervision or what, but it's something that's got to be looked into.”

Another important item for him is making sure the fire departments have what they need.

“I served on the fire department in Keswick and then in Snow Road, and the crews need the full support of the township,” he said.

He would also support efforts by the township and Frontenac County to extend the K&P Trail all the way to the county line, although he is not happy that it is a non-motorized trail from Verona to the south.

“That cuts people off and it cuts off the economy of the tourist potential of the whole thing. If they let horses and skidoos use it, why not ATVs?” he said.

While he supports the idea of septic reinspection programs, he opposes a mandatory program

“I'm not in favour of that; it's too much of an imposition, and many older people are on fixed incomes and can't afford it at all,” he said.