Mayor: Mike Ainsworth
Mike Ainsworth Facebook.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
Taxes and housing are the focus of Mike Ainsworth’s campaign as he seeks to become mayor of Alnwick/Haldimand Township.
The current councillor concedes that municipal property taxes have gone up there over the past four years, but that civic leaders have not had a plan on how to address major issues impacting the Township.
Ainsworth is proposing to keep taxes slightly above provincial inflation, targeting 2-3 percent yearly. Yet with a tax base of approximately 3200 homes, Ainsworth said other revenue sources like grants and increased partnerships with Northumberland County, Ontario and the federal governments are needed.
“When I look at past years that have gone by, no one has done anything to be quite honest with you. We were left with aging infrastructure,” Ainsworth said.
He points to the town hall in Grafton and the community arena is approaching its end of life. Structural issues have been identified in the municipal building with council meetings being moved to Centreton. The current Council has examined a feasibility plan for a new arena and sports complex, which could cost tens of millions of dollars. Currently the arena is undergoing ice pad upgrades, anticipated to be completed before the upcoming hockey season.
Central to Ainsworth’s taxation is a tax relief bylaw he would present to the next council. He said those on fixed incomes need a break to help address inflationary pressures. “Our seniors have been here for many, many years putting in taxes. Inflation has gone up and their income has kind of stalemated. So we have to look at a plan to help those seniors,” he explained.
Ainsworth said the Township has plenty of vacant land, which could be used for various developments, including affordable and "attainable” housing. He admits while the more expensive homes are lovely to have in the municipality, they are not growing the tax base, which a lower cost housing would achieve.
“We have to get back to building these $400,000, $500,000, $600,000 homes that couples starting out can afford with their incomes coming in,” said Ainsworth. “The affordable housing and the attainable housing are the ones that I’ll be focusing on.”
He is contesting for election against Sherry Gibson.
Tel: 905-375-7381 | Email: mainsworth93@yahoo.ca
