Mayor of Tweed, Don Degenova, says he thinks Friday’s meeting with the provincial NDP leader was productive.
During the Friday meeting, Mayor DeGenova and other local mayors spoke to Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles about the ongoing challenges the local communities are facing. One point Mayor DeGenova brought up was the severe infrastructure deficit that Tweed is facing. While the community brings in $5.5 million annually in taxes, they would need $12 million a year for 20 years to meet their current infrastructure deficit.
He also said that ridings that swing elections get more attention and funding, and that areas like Tweed that vote consistently for one party get left behind.
After the meeting, Mayor DeGenova spoke to Quinte News. During that interview, he said that while the discussion was grim, he felt like Stiles had been listening to him and the other mayors. He said he was hopeful the conversation would lead to action from the province.
In a brief press release later that day, Stiles called for a new deal to support local municipalities.
“Rural municipalities, and most importantly, residents, are saddled with the burden of Doug Ford and his politicians’ neglect,” said Stiles. “From infrastructure, to housing, to healthcare – the province needs to start taking responsibility and paying their fair share.”
She went on to call the meeting sobering, and eye opening.
Mayor Neil Ellis of Belleville, Mayor Paul Jenkins of Bancroft, and Warden Bob Mullins of Hastings County were also among the mayors invited to the meeting.
