Name:

Justin Samlal

Occupation:
Senior Account Manager for Capital One (outsourced)

Family information:
Single

Community work:
Founding member of the Ontario Fair Property Tax Coalition, and the
Campus Liberty Society (formerly the Reagan-Goldwater Society),
President of the London Fanshawe Progressive-Conservative Association

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Yes

Why or why not?

London’s runaway tax rates have been damaging to investment in the City,
and have contributed to the loss of jobs. London’s City Council needs to
learn to live within its means.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I would like to represent Londoners at City Hall, because I have heard time
and time again the people of this City clamouring for fiscal restraint, and
some level of financial accountability. I am running to represent the people
of this City as we fight to hold the line on taxes, to hold the line on
spending, and to modernize the way City Hall does business.
What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b)
the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
The most important issues for London are the same as the most important
issues for Ward 7 — runaway tax rates and spending have spurned
investment and caused job loss. London needs fiscal restraint in order to
reverse the trend, and begin to create jobs and keep more of Londoners’ hard
earned dollars at home, in their hands, and not downtown at City Hall.
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Walt Lonc

Occupation:
Ward 7 Councillor
Family Info:
Married, two children
Community Work:
Past president of Old Masonville Ratepayers Association, member of Fun
Fest and Hyde Park Santa Parade committees

Do you support a 4-year freeze?

No

Why not?
Cuts to programs would be too severe. I will support budgets set no higher
than inflation rate for next 4 years
Why do you want to represent Londoners?:
Having completed 4 years as a full time councillor, I have the experience
needed to navigate through the new Council structure with no Board of
Control. I will continue to work on moving to a service based budget to
ensure that we get value for every dollar spent by Council.

What’s the most important issue for London?

Controlling property tax burden, attracting new economic opportunities and
jobs, ensuring high quality basic services.

What is the most important issue in Ward 7?

Easing traffic congestion by widening Hyde Park Road and Sarnia Gravel
Road.
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Philip McLeod

Occupation:
Journalist and commentator

Family information:
Married to Shannon Thompson-McLeod; three children, two grandchildren

Community work:
Member board of directors Hutton House Association for Adults with
Disabilities; member advisory council, The Salvation Army, London;
author, free daily community blog on civic affairs.
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?
Probably not

Why or why not?

This is really a very simplistic question for a very complex issue with
hundreds of variables. But it’s hard to imagine how a tax freeze could be
realized without either significant cuts in important community services or a
significant increase in growth. The question then becomes how would either
option be achieved? I don’t support service cuts that impact adversely on
lower income Londoners or on the growing suburbs. And I don’t support
unrestricted, undisciplined growth. We do need to review the services the
city provides to ensure we get the best value for the money spent. And we do
need to grow, but in a ‘smart’ way that maximizes the return to all citizens.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at City Hall?

This is one of our most important elections in years. The city needs a vision
to guide it over the next decade and it requires elected representatives who
both understand the issues in Ward 7 and in the city, and who can articulate
new ideas to solve them. After years of regularly observing city council in
action and commenting on the problems London faces I want to get more
directly involved in resolving the debate over which way we should be
moving. And as a very knowledgeable ‘outsider’ I am uniquely equipped to
provide thoughtful, intelligent and effective representation for the citizens of
Ward 7.

What do you consider the most important issue for London?

We need a comprehensive and imaginative long-range plan to bolster our
economy and manage our growth, a plan citizens can understand and
suppport.

And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
The growing suburbs, of which Ward 7 is the most dynamic part, shouldn’t
have to wait years to receive their fair share of city services – transit, roads,
recreation, libraries. It’s time that Ward 7 moved beyond being seen as the
‘Forgotten Ward’ and become a full partner within the city of London.
_____________________________________________________________
Name:
Matt Brown

Occupation:
Lead Student Success Teacher, Westminster Secondary School (Thames
Valley District School Board)

Family information:
I live in the Hyde Park/White Hills area of Ward 7 with my wife Andrea
Brown and our two young sons.

Community Work:
President of the Board, Childreach <http://www.childreach.on.ca> (A
London non-profit organization that focuses on early year development –
Age 0 to 6.); Steering Committee Member, Women's Community House
Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Fundraising Event; Member, City of London’s
Strengthening Neighbourhoods Task Force; Steering Committee Member,
Hyde Park Lion’s Club Santa Claus Parade; Board Member, Oakridge
Optimist Club; Member, Hyde Park Lions Club; Member, Friends of the
Coves.
Volunteering in the Community: Spring Bike Rodeo (Nor ‘West Optimist
Club), Ashley and Stephanie Daubs Memorial Basketball Tournament
(London Abused Women’s Centre), Run for Retina Research (Ivey Eye
Institute), Christmas Toy Drive (Children’s Aid Society), London Food
Bank (Oakridge Optimists), Purina Guide Dog Walk (Hyde Park Lion’s
Club), Clean and Green (Organizer for clean up at Oakridge Optimist Park),
Reforest London Tree Planting (Friends of the Coves).
Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?
Yes, under strict conditions

Why or why not?

I would support this only under the condition that there would be no need for
service cuts and that there would be no major tax increases as a result in
future years. If this is not possible then I would not support a tax freeze and
instead would support consultation with Londoners on the correct balance of
services and taxes moving forward. Residents expect the very best value for
their tax dollars. Municipal taxes have increased too quickly over the past
decade and it is my firm belief that if future increases are necessary they
should not exceed the rate of annual inflation. The City of London needs to
find a way to live within its means just as London’s residents and businesses
do each and every year.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

Many Londoners feel disappointed with and disconnected from our local
government. I am 37 years old and I am running for council at this time
because I believe in the potential of our City and I feel I represent the
positive change residents are looking for moving forward. I have a record of
experience, leadership, community involvement and a passion for service to
others. I believe I can play an important role in engaging our community and
strengthening the relationship between City Council and the citizens it is
expected to serve.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London?

Jobs and our Economy. It is critical that we keep existing jobs and attract
new, well paying, full time jobs from a variety of sectors here in London.
These jobs give us the assessment base needed to keep tax rates affordable,
pay for the services and amenities that Londoners expect from their city
government and allow our city to be a positive, vibrant, sustainable
community where people want to live, work and play. We have a number of
competitive advantages that can to be leveraged including; our University
and College, our International Airport, the fact that we are located very
close to the 401 / 402 / 403 corridor and our proximity to the U.S., our
nation’s largest trading partner. We must clearly communicate to the region,
the country and the world that London is open for business and we must
work collaboratively with residents, local businesses, workers, associations,
advocacy groups our university, our college and other levels of government
to find the right balance of programs that attract and retain jobs.

And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
Growth and Related Issues. There is significant development occurring
within the boundaries of Ward 7 presently. Although reasonable and
responsible growth for London is essential to maintaining a good balance
between the taxes we pay and the services we expect in return it must be
controlled & well planned with consideration given to factors that ensure it
is sustainable from a financial, social and environmental perspective.
In both established and new areas of Ward 7 congestion resulting from
growth has become a serious issue, negatively affecting our quality of life,
our environment, our economy and our safety (example: speeding and cut
through traffic in neighbourhoods). We need to ensure that arterial roads and
bridges are adequate to handle daily traffic flow appropriately and that our
public transportation system is convenient, affordable and sustainable.
Development occurring in established areas must be compatible with
existing land uses, existing roads, and other infrastructure. Services and
amenities need to be available to all Ward 7 residents and those individuals
and families living in new areas should not have to deal with spotty snow
removal and wait years for appropriate arterial roads, sidewalks, trees, transit
service, parks and recreational areas to be established.
_____________________________________________________________