Grand Manan Candidate: Phillman L. Green
1. As candidates, what would be your key priorities over the next four years in your community?
To manage change/growth with the objective for there to be more of an osmosis pace than an out of control event.
2. How would you achieve those priorities within your mandate?
By being prepared to tackle the issues head on. There is no substitute for doing your homework and being prepared to bring your best to the table.
3. How will you ensure transparency and accountability in council decisions and communication with residents?
I will be more insistent that our agendas and minutes include more information. This will make accomplishing #2 easier.
4. What is your approach to managing growth and development while preserving the character of the community?
It is important to get all the necessary people at the table at the right time to fully understand all aspects of the issue and to be able to proceed in the best way possible.
5. What is your position on property taxes, and how would you balance affordability with maintaining services?
The metric of a stable tax rate is not an effective way to gauge fiscal impact on tax payers. The Province determines property values. These values are going up substantially on a regular basis. Keeping the tax rate the same while evaluations increase means that tax bills go up. The price of everything is going up so the taxes required to fund these services must increase as well. The challenge is to find the level that treats people fairly while providing the appropriate level of services.
6. Why are you the best candidate to represent your ward, and what experience do you bring to the role?
I have been on Council for over 21 years. I started as a councillor on the Village of Grand Harbour Council in the late 80’s. When the Island communities were amalgamated I had one term as a Village Councillor and was twice elected Mayor. I resigned early in that second term to make an unsuccessful attempt to become an MLA. My experience and desire to see our Community achieve it’s potential is still a driving force in my life.
Each candidate was provided with the same six questions and equal limits on response length and time. Candidates who did not have publicly available contact information through Elections New Brunswick were required to contact The Courier in accordance with its Municipal Election Coverage Fairness Policy. Candidates who did not respond or declined to participate are noted. Failure to participate will not result in additional coverage elsewhere in the newspaper.
