It’s a Friday and the final post of the ward-by-ward roundup of candidates and their views on matters of growth, planning and development for your consideration. Ward 4 is by far the most transitional of wards with the largest group of new voters thanks to development over the past four years. Responses were received from all but one of the Ward 4 candidates, due to extenuating circumstances.

Don’t forget, you can vote for two candidates for Ward Councillors!

First, lets take a look at the candidate bios:

Jacob Baradziej

Occupation: Technology Support Specialist
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 3

Nick DiFlavio

Occupation: Special Education Teacher
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 2

Baraa Fattal

Occupation: Sales & Marketing Consultant
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 4

Jim Howden

Occupation: Retired Banking Executive and CPA, CMA 
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 3

Nameer Rahman

Occupation: Policy and Regulatory Affairs Consultant
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 3

Len Stack

Occupation: Retired Educator
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 4

Frank Trivieri

Occupation: Owner, GrayGo International Inc.
Running In: Ward 4
Living In: Ward 2

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And here is how the candidates answered our questions…

Q: What is the most important experience or skill set you can bring to Council if elected/re-elected?

Jacob Baradziej	Infrastructure and development, I bring a technical skillset that will provide competent and transparent representation on infrastructure and development issues. I am also a unifier, and will be a conduit for collaboration and teamwork among council members, ending our current circus.
Nick DiFlavio	My service to Grimsby is unparalleled. In addition to 15 years of experience on Town Council where I helped to draft our Official Plan and Zoning Bylaws, I have volunteered with numerous organizations in West Niagara. I’m a team player with a lifetime of leadership skills and dedication to service.
Baraa Fattal	Although I bring 8 years of experience in budgeting, negotiations, organizational structure, and team development, I am looking to bring truth, transparency, accountability and integrity to the council! I know that with a council that can be easily held accountable we can ensure the next 4 years are prosperous!
Jim Howden	I have a depth of management knowledge as a professional accountant and retired senior executive of a large international bank. I have lived in high raise condo buildings at various times during my career and feel that residents in the Grimsby on the Lake area need much stronger representation.
Nameer Rahman	Candidate was unable to respond due to a family emergency.
Len Stack	My past experience serving on the St. Catharines City Council for two 4 year terms (2007- 2010) and (2011-2014) as a Port Dalhousie Ward 6 Councillor qualifies me to serve the constituents of Grimsby Ward 4 with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes that will ensure “excellence through service and commitment”.
Frank Trivieri	I have been in international business for almost 30 years. As result, I have developed excellent business acumen that allows me to bring parties together to reach the best possible outcome.

Q: Do you believe in the concept of responsible growth?  If yes, please explain your definition of responsible growth as it relates to Grimsby?

Jacob Baradziej	Yes I do, responsible growth to me means growth in touch with the community’s identity. Communities need to grow at sustainable rates alongside its services and infrastructure, as well as maintaining heritage. Ward 4 needs its own firefighting unit trained and equipped with high rise towers.
Nick DiFlavio	I believe strongly in responsible growth. To me, responsible growth in Grimsby means meeting the housing needs of a growing population without negatively impacting existing citizens. New developments should enhance Grimsby by increasing parkland and accessibility. Responsible growth also means preserving the heritage nature of our municipality at all costs.
Baraa Fattal	Yes, I do! Responsible growth means ensuring that our beautiful town grows at a rate that helps our residents without hurting the ability of future generations to enjoy the town as we did. I will ensure that development is slowed down and approved responsibly if elected.
Jim Howden	The vision for growth in Grimsby is detailed in the Town’s Official Plan that was approved by Ontario Municipal Board in 2012. By-Law 14-45 controls the use of land throughout the Town. Responsible growth must adhere to the intent of the official plan and legally to the by-law. And enforced.
Nameer Rahman	Candidate was unable to respond due to a family emergency.
Len Stack	We must establish a vision that reflects a shared definition of “responsible community growth” and adhere to that vision. Development is essential if we are to experience economic prosperity and job growth. The key to successful development is the inclusion of all partners in support of responsible growth.
Frank Trivieri	Yes, responsible growth means a balance between, sustainable growth (Heritage, Green Space, Environment) and economic development.

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge or hurdle facing the Town in terms of planning and development and how would you solve it?

Jacob Baradziej	When we fight with every proposed development it kills our ability to negotiate, spreads our resources thin, and residents lose their say in what gets built. We don’t have the resources to fight every proposed development, and would be better suited to focus resources on protecting downtown and the woodlot.
Nick DiFlavio	The biggest challenge facing Grimsby is the provincial appeals process which favours developers and takes planning out of the hands of local governments. I want to be a part of a strong Council that will fight for what it believes in with a strong Official Plan as a guide.
Baraa Fattal	Overdevelopment is the biggest problem facing our town today. If not dealt with immediately, overdevelopment will devastate our town's environment, skyrocket our town's crime rate, and force our children to leave the town to build a future for themselves and their children.
Jim Howden	The Official Plan is 325 pages and the Land Use by-law is 332 pages. These are essentially legal agreements and land owners and developers are finding loopholes. Council must do what ever they can to strengthen these documents by making more extensive use of secondary plans. This is hard work.
Nameer Rahman	Candidate was unable to respond due to a family emergency.
Len Stack	When “divisiveness” exists between the Council and its citizens it negates positive decision making. We need to create a healthy decision-making climate which reflects mutual respect for one another as we carry out our duties and responsibilities. Inclusiveness in the decision making process will lead to effecting positive change.
Frank Trivieri	The rapid residential growth and its impact on services, and infrastructure is a concern. Grimsby should re-examine it’s economic development plan and devise a strategy to attract industry that will increase tax revenues while defraying the costs of infrastructure.

Q: There are currently Official Plan applications before the Town and Region to re-designate the lakefront Greenbelt lands at 502 Winston Road from “Specialty Crop – Tender Fruit and Grape Lands” to “Rural”. If successful, this could encourage future residential development there. Are residents better served with these lands remaining as “Specialty Crop” or should they be re-designated to allow for more development opportunities? Please explain your position.

Jacob Baradziej	I don’t believe residents are best served with it the way it is right now, and I believe that the rezoning will take place whether council supports it or not unfortunately. The town should seek negotiations with developers and save on legal funds. Residents in this area have expressed parking pains, If elected I would like to work with the developers of this project and neighboring casablanca inn project to incorporate a public parking structure. Many members of the community have also expressed they would like some restaurants and things to do in GOTL.
Nick DiFlavio	Any development here would take several years and require an Official Plan amendment with considerable public input. The land is currently fenced off and closed to residents. Grimsby has a policy of taking waterfront land when developments like this occur so development of this land would mean the expansion of the waterfront trail and parks in the area. The development of this land was always part of a long-term plan for the Grimsby waterfront which includes the eventual removal of the radio towers, and a full, public waterfront trail and park that will be used by residents of Grimsby forever.
Baraa Fattal	I believe that these lands would serve the residents better by remaining as "Specialty Crop" lands as opposed to opening the door for future development. The main reason is that this plot of land is a part of the greenbelt and we need to do our best to ensure that the greenbelt is maintained to the highest degree possible. Furthermore, by opening the door to development along the shore we will be devastating the beautiful view of the lakeshore and will increase the population density of the already high-density area of Grimsby on the Lake.
Jim Howden	My opinion is based on my review of the material provided but it seems evident that A) Property has not been used for growing grapes for decades. B) There is no apparent use for the property for farm purposes. C) Changing the zoning moves it one step closer to development if property is removed from the Greenbelt. D) High density development is suitable for this property. Nevertheless, I would vote to turn down the request as there is no benefit to the Town for agreeing to the change at this time. And in fact, could be harmful.
Nameer Rahman	Candidate was unable to respond due to a family emergency.
Len Stack	As the land stands now, I don’t foresee it serving the community. If this land becomes a residential development, it will better serve our community economically. Grimsby has become a place of destination and a desirable place in which to live. Our community will be better served by carefully orchestrated “planning and development” that complements our vision of Grimsby in the future. As long as we do our best to adhere to that vision, then development can and will result in creating a prosperous Grimsby which will serve as a role model for other neighbouring communities.
Frank Trivieri	It’s my understanding that 502 Winston is designated Greenbelt Plan Area-Protected, under the Town of Grimsby Official Plan. Until we know what application comes forward it will be subject to policies and regulations of the plan along with the other levels of government. I will support an environmentally balanced solution that is in the best interests of the Town of Grimsby. Should it remain as “Specialty Crop”, I would support this too.

That’s a close on the Ward 4 candidates and all of the ward candidates. One more post left and that is for the Mayoral questionnaire. Stay tuned it will be up shortly!