THUNDER BAY – Despite the city’s recent struggles, when Jim Howie looks at Thunder Bay as a whole, he sees plenty of potential.
But, he says, that potential is going to go untapped without the proper leadership in place. It’s one of the reasons the retired Tbaytel employee was prompted to test the political waters, joining a crowded 26-person ballot in this year’s at-large contest.
Howie, 65, said it was time to put his foot forward, his goal to tackle the growing tax problem facing residents of Thunder Bay.
It’s just not sustainable to keep raising them significantly year after year, he said. The public just can’t afford that kind of increase.
“It’s a very tough issue to deal with. We all realize that our taxes are going up a lot faster than I think they should. When I hear what people are paying in certain areas – $7,000, $9,000 – it boggles my mind,” Howie said.
“On the other side of the coin, I don’t think it’s an easy fix. We have to be very careful on where we spend money. We need to have some type of plan in place. We need to look further ahead than next year’s budget.”
If it was up to Howie, infrastructure would top the list of spending priorities.
And for good reason, he said.
“It’s very important that we keep our city looking the way it is, the roads, etc.”
Howie who enjoys what the city has done to transform the Marina Park area, said there’s still plenty more that can – and should – be done along the waterfront.
“I think what we could use on the waterfront is a little more retail involving our small business groups or possibly local individuals who do arts and crafts, just something to bring people down. I picture a little East Coast village down there,” he said.
Policing is another topic he wants to tackle, adding the city has developed a bad reputation for crime which is hurting its image.
“Talking to police, they say a lot of it is drug related, so I think we have to address the issues with policing – not that I think the police are bad, I think they’re doing the best job they can.”
