Comment Function Removed
In an effort to keep this site on subject, I have removed the "Comments" functionality from my site. If you would like to comment on an issue please feel free to contact me directly. You can find my contact information by clicking the "Contact Information" button above. I encourage those who wish to have a debate on "the issues" to join one of the many internet forums that exist which discuss Haldimand as a whole or discuss Caledonia specifically. For those who wish to be even more involved - run for office, this county could use more choice for councilors in all wards and also for the mayors seat.
Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs
As a Municiple Government we are responsible for assiting with a number of essential human functions. The goal of a society is to provide the tools and end up with a large number of "self-actualized" people.
There are five different levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:
- Physiological Needs
These include the most basic needs that are vital to survival, such as the need for water, air, food and sleep. Maslow believed that these needs are the most basic and instinctive needs in the hierarchy because all needs become secondary until these physiological needs are met. - Security Needs
These include needs for safety and security. Security needs are important for survival, but they are not as demanding as the physiological needs. Examples of security needs include a desire for steady employment, health insurance, safe neighborhoods and shelter from the environment. - Social Needs
These include needs for belonging, love and affection. Maslow considered these needs to be less basic than physiological and security needs. Relationships such as friendships, romantic attachments and families help fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance, as does involvement in social, community or religious groups. - Esteem Needs
After the first three needs have been satisfied, esteem needs becomes increasingly important. These include the need for things that reflect on self-esteem, personal worth, social recognition and accomplishment. - Self-actualizing Needs
This is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Self-actualized people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others and interested fulfilling their potential.
Nomination
Well - I finally got my nomination in and I can see my name written on the Haldimand County website. They were a little harried when they were entering in my nomination documents - there is something about someone who is not doused in formaldehyde that seems out of place in municipal politics. I wasn't in a tie dyed shirt with bongos strapped around me but I might as well have been - a young man who cares about politics... never. I grew up under Hazel Mccallion who is arguably one of the best mayors to ever grace Ontario with her presence. That being said, when I go to Mississauga now I can't wait to leave. If you can reach a point of elevation you can see urban sprawl at its best (worst). She had the benefit of having the "Toronto" airport and the proximity to the city to be able to attract all the Fortune 100 companies that are based out of Northern Mississauaga. Not to mention the fact that 3 400 series highways run through it.. acutally its more.. 403, 427, 407, 401 and a bit of the 410, but I digress, the ingredients were all there for a growth explosion. I remember going to University of Toronto (of which they have a campus) downtown Toronto and getting home at night in 20 minutes.
We obviously dont have that luxury in Haldimand. There are no big highways (some may argue Hwy 6 is a big highway) - I think the nicest road is the two lane divided road in Townsend that I have never driven on with another car at the same time. The strategy for this area has always been to bring big heavy industry and along with it will come residents, tax dollars and in turn transportation which will drive further growth. Its time to realize thats never going to happen. If I had a factory I would put it here because I live here, but if I were to really think about it, I would want it on at least one major Highway. The reason of course is for trucks, sure we have roads, but we also have slow moving vehicles and traffic lights. Mosts truck turn on the cruise control and try to not turn it off. There are too many places that fit that description both in Canada and the United States. I think it is important to look at what we do have and focus on that. Farming is number one in this area - lets make life easier for them, lets give them back agricultural zoning if it was changed, lets focus on commercial development. We can bring in many businesses like call centres and fill them up with local workers. The establishment of a simple transit system can make the area even more attractive. We are rural but if we had transit on the main atteries even going once an hour or 3 times a day or whatever it works out to economically we could help out a lot of people who can afford to drive or simply choose not to for environmental or personal reasons.
I will be commenting more as things progress, feel free to read "About Me" and my "Platform". The problem with municipal politics is we are limited in what we can do - we cant make 10 hospitals for example.. but we can work with the province to achieve things like that, and do the things that are in our power.