Name:

Rebecca K. Wilson

Occupation:
Banker

Family information:
Mother of 3 bio and one step children. Each uniquely gifted and one with
Aspbergers.

Community work:
Active member of GLBT Community, the ACC, volunteer and donator;

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

No, I will not support a complete tax freeze for a predetermined period of
time.

Why or why not?

Not supporting a tax freeze is an unpopular stand, this I well realize. But I
am not here to sugar coat or provide false expectations. Two things are
certain in life and taxes may raise as our costs of living raises. I will ensure
that every nickel collected is used to the best of it's ability. I demand value
for our dollars. I do not tolerate waste or spendthrifts. If there must be a
raise, it will be a little as manageable. I will not cut necessary services and
supports for our community in order to save a buck unnecessarily.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

London is my home, I am extremely proud of our city and it's
accomplishments. I am certain that my insight and dedication will be useful
to the city as a whole as well as the members of Ward 5.

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?
A) The most important issue for London is a need for level heads and future
forward planning. Too many short sighted decisions have needlessly wasted
tax dollars. We need to make sure that all facts are considered before
jumping in with both feet.
B) Like many wards in this city, Ward 5 can work on community strategies
to improve the quality of living for it's citizens which will attract more
business and industry. In Ward 5 we need to improve the security and
community services of some areas with a universal approach involving;
local citizens, youth groups, community centers, police, city workers and
maintenance.
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Joni Baechler

Occupation:
Ward 5 Councillor, small business owner

Family information:
Married, 3 children

Community work:
Planning Committee, Environment and Transportation Committee,
Community and Protective Services Committee, Service Review Financial
Committee, Governance Task Force Committee, Trees and Forest Advisory
Committee, London Transit Long Term Working Group, UWO/City Liaison
Committee, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Board, Celebrate
the Forest, Olympic Torch Committee, Olympic Athlete Celebration
Committee, Creative Cities Task Force, Accountability and Transparency
Task Force, London Reads, Wellspring Writer’s Festival

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

This is not a simple yes or no answer. I always strive for the lowest possible
tax increase. I do not believe a tax freeze is possible for the reasons listed
below. I am open to new ideas should someone show me how it would be
fiscally possible to accomplish this seemingly insurmountable task.

Why or why not?

1. The Water and Sewer budget would be included in the freeze.
2. Based on budget projections and an industry agreed upon projected
growth rate over the next four years – to arrive at a 0 % tax increase
means cutting a minimum of $90 million from the budget.
3. Cuts to the budget will need to be permanent, year over year, so as not
to compound the total reduction required.
4. 1/3 of the budget is regulated by mandated provincial programs
(social housing, Ontario Works) of which council has no authority to
eliminate, 1/3 of the budget is for essential services (police, fire,
ambulance), the remaining 1/3 is for city hall services, boards and
commissions (recreation, libraries, transit, garbage, recycling, etc.). It
is impossible to reach 0 % tax increase without permanently gutting
essential services, - police, fire, closing libraries, recreation facilities,
and risking our triple Aaa credit rating which will increase our
borrowing costs. The cuts of this magnitude will have a noticeable
negative impact on public safety, quality of life and economic
development.
5. It is irresponsible and duplicitous to say a tax freeze is possible
without telling the public what the candidate will be cut, and it must
add up to 90 million.
6. If the candidate claims 0 % taxation could be achieved through
assessment growth the question becomes how.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I believe long-term financial stability and cost containment is integral to
London’s future. We have a number of important financial issues facing
council and it is imperative that we elect representation that understands the
complexity of these issues. We are transitioning into a new governance
model and a new service review based budget. I will continue to push for
efficient municipal services operated in the most cost effective manner.

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

Long-term financial stability and cost containment.

And b) the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
There is not one singular issue. The most important are: 1) transportation –
all aspects including road condition, traffic calming, transit, bike lanes, air
quality and 2) development impacts to neighbourhoods, environment and
city financing.
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