October 20, 2010
2010 FORT ERIE MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATES’
POSITION ON WATERFRONT ISSUESCandidate Name: Kimberly Zanko
Position Sought: Ward 3 Town CouncilThe Ontario Shorewalk Association is seeking comments on your position regarding our public waterfront lands. Shorewalk is a non partisan association and does not endorse candidates, however your comments will be shared with the public via our website and local media.
1. Shorewalk’s priority goal has been & remains the public’s Right of Passage (walking rights) along all of Ontario’s Great Lakes shores. To that end our current FE & Niagara Regional Councils have unanimously endorsed MPP Kim Craitor’s Bill 32 calling for Right of Passage on Ontario’s Great Lakes.Will you support Shorewalk’s Right of Passage efforts during your term of office?
Yes, I fully support Shorewalk's right of passage efforts, and will continue to support and work with Shorewalk's right through my term.
2. Regardless of the direction that the Bay Beach property goes, will you vote at every opportunity to ensure that public access on & thru the property continues to exist?
Absolutely, ensuring this is a must!
3. We welcome your comments regarding construction of a condo on Bay Beach property.
I cannot change what has been established. The focus needs to be on the future regarding the construction of the condo, and ensuring that the public access and right of passage is not comprimised.
4. Shorewalk worked tirelessly with staff to develop a Waterfront Road Allowance by-law that was enacted by Council. It calls for:
i removal of encroachments (fences, hedges, landscaping works, etc) from public road allowances.
ii prohibition of any future encroachments.
Will you continue to uphold the bylaw?
Yes, I will continue to uphold the bylaws that have been established, as I understand the singnificance and value of the bylaws set.
5. The Town staff, with council support and funding, have initiated a waterfront road allowance enhancement program that includes;
a) welcome signs
b) directional signs from the Friendship Trail
c) line of sight demarcation
d) prohibition of vehicles on road allowances except for boat launch suitable sites
e) benches & bike racks where appropriateWould you continue to support these initiatives with adequate funding through the budget?
Yes, I feel that is critical for our town, support is needed to continue in the positive direction of which these initiatives bring.
6. Through the support of council, money has been allocated to review surveys of all road allowances to identify encroachment situations (private residents utilizing the public road allowance as addition to their property). All surveys have been completed but require staff time to review and identify encroachments.
Would you identify the completion of these reviews as a priority so that access to our waterfront can be increased?
On behalf of Ward 3 constituents I do see this as a priority. I have heard several concerns though canvassing regarding access to our waterfront.
7. Full public access by road to Point Abino lighthouse continues to be denied by the Point Abino Association.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
I do agree, I feel that residents should not be denied access to Point Abino, or any waterfront for that matter. Point Abino is part of the history of our town. I do not support restrictions to access. Increased communications in this regard is required to establish a solution focused plan accommodating the parties involved.
We thank you for your participation & invite additional comments on waterfront issues.
I support the cause and effort of your organization greatly. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Kimberly Zanko
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