I've been asked a few times as I've been doorknocking as to what my position is on sidewalks.  My answer is this:  I believe in a complete collector/arterial sidewalk network so that there isn't a mix of turning vehicles, parked cars and pedestrians trying to access a given destination.  The last thing I want to see happen is someone get hit at a busy intersection because walkers are put on the road.

In my professional career, I work to implement active and sustainable transportation measures.  I wouldn't leave a road for cars unfinished for the last block to a destination so I would not do so for a sidewalk either.

Sidewalks are a love 'em/hate 'em dichotomy.  They're among the last features of a subdivision to be installed, even after you may have planted landscaping in their corridor.  Many streets that don't have sidewalks have always been that way and residents like it that way.  Many fear loss of yard, driveway space, privacy, or having to clear them in the winter.

However, when there are no sidewalks but there's a destination to be reached, often a path of some sort creeps up anyway.  A nice, worn dirt path is created on front lawns.  I recall one street that had several 90 degree bends with poor sightlines in another municipality, where the local councillor asked what the holdup was for installing sidewalks because there was a clear and demonstrated need.  It turned out that the Council of the day vetoed its installation.

Sidewalks are now mandated for new subdivisions.  The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit championed the cause in the mid-90s and the end result is that such decisions have been made so no new gaps will be created.  I have no intention of reversing this policy or revisiting it.  In fact, you can expect that I will be a champion for filling in gaps in our pedestrian network so that your walk to the park doesn't have to be a game of dodgeball on the way.

Basement flooding has come up as a persistent concern for the east end of Ward 1.  One aspect of my professional career that I am very proud of has been my involvement in addressing basement flooding by finding solutions and designing both local and relief systems.  I have witnessed the devastation to home and personal property for hundreds of homes firsthand caused by sewage infiltration.  You can trust that basement flooding will be top of mind for me. 

There is a lengthy history as to the development of Tecumseh's sewer system, as well as that of St. Clair Beach and Sandwich South.  Knowledge continues to develop and best practices are now in place.  There are many reasons to tackle this issue as a primary municipal function - environmental stewardship, protection of public health, safety, and property - and reducing the frequency of basement flooding is of interest for me as an elected councillor.

Not all solutions require major expense.  There are tools that each and every one of us can rely upon.  Disconnecting downspouts is something we can begin with today.  By diverting stormwater during the heaviest part of a storm, the volume of stormwater and sewage mixing together is diminished.  Less stormwater in the sanitary system means that there's more capacity in the system to handle what comes in.  At my home, none of my downspouts are connected.  I've installed rain barrels for the spring, summer and fall months and replace my eavestrough elbows for the wintertime.

A backflow preventer can also serve as a great tool, blocking any wastewater coming from the mainline side.  However it really does need to be maintained and checked every year.  It can lose its effectiveness if objects become lodged in it.

There are other best practices at home.  Permeable pavement allowing for the water to be absorbed rather than be carried.  Rain gardens absorbing surface runoff.  Directing some drainage to gardens directly.  There is a neat website at http://sustainabletechnologies.ca which speaks to some of what we can do at home.

The town has a role to play, and that is in providing functioning mainline sewers, pumping stations and relief lines where required.  From our part as residents, the less stormwater we can direct into the system, the less opportunity to there to run into issues.  Plus, it's less expensive for us too - not treating stormwater at the plant means less chemicals as well.  Because none of us can control the weather and amount of stormwater coming in, these efforts really can help.

I would like to hear from you as to any basement flooding that you've experienced over the years and what you've noticed. Reducing basement flooding as much as possible is in everybody's interest.

Before July 31st, make sure you're on the Voters List for Tecumseh!

Voterlookup.ca lets you:

• confirm the accuracy of your elector information;
• update your information where incorrectly recorded; and/or,
• add a name to the enumeration so that it is correctly recorded for municipal and school board voting purposes.
• voterlookup.ca cannot process requests concerning persons who are under 18 years of age on Election Day (October 27 2014).

Visit VoterLookup.ca today!

Check out Rick Mercer's video promoting VoterLookup.ca : http://youtu.be/cisKDmdm6zk

Over the past week, an issue that has been brought to my attention a few times has been our power.  Specifically, our electricity distribution system.  In the eastern part of Ward 1, and it's been the same experience at my home, the area is prone to brief outages, lasting only a few seconds at a time.  I'm always resetting my oven clock.  The reliability of the system is concerning to a few residents, worried about the impact on appliances, electronics and personal property.

Essex Powerlines is in charge of the electricity distribution for Ward 1.  It inherited the network from the former Tecumseh Public Utilities Commission.  While not a municipal service, the Town of Tecumseh is part owner of Essex Power and is represented on its board by two seats.  Therefore as residents, we do have a mechanism for addressing known issues by directing our appointed representatives to act on our behalf.

We also have a healthy mix of standards in our municipality.  The older parts of the community remain serviced by overhead distribution.  These are easier to repair but also more susceptible to wind and environmental damage. Neighbourhoods like mine have underground services, with hydro boxes located in certain front yards.

I won't pretend to know what is causing the electrical failures at this point.  It is an area of significant interest for me, though.  I'm affected as much as you are.  Right now it is difficult to easily find information about what our issues are and how Essex Power is investing funds to address it.  I know that they are; the Essex Power crews have been visibly working at this in the neighbourhood and I have myself received a letter a few years ago detailing that improvements were under way for my street.

Once compiled, I intend to provide an information source here at andrewdowie.ca speaking of hydro issues and the capital plan that Essex Power is following to make improvements.

Have you been experiencing electrical outages, even for a brief second?  Post your comments here.  I would love to know where these brief outages are occurring and how widespread they are.

Cheers

Andrew

What past candidates have told me over the years is true.  It is an absolutely worthwhile experience to run for municipal council, win or lose.  Since my declaration on Friday, I have met some truly inspiring and terrific people; engaging, warm, and neighbourly.  The goodwill at the doors and the generosity of friends and colleagues in supporting my campaign has been far beyond what I could have ever expected.

You will find me out in your neighbourhood at some point over the next several weeks.  I look forward to meeting you directly and to learning about what the future of our town should look like.  You will hear from me of my 12 years of direct experience working in municipal government and delivering the same municipal services that the town provides and my vision and ideas of how I'd like to see the town grow and prosper.  You'll also hear of my volunteer involvement:  Chairing the Windsor-Essex Chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario, my role as a leader with the 35th Tecumseh Scout Group, and my appointments to the Tecumseh Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee.

I also want to give a shout out of thanks to all of the candidates running for the various positions in town.  Whomever among us are elected, we're all seeking a bright future for our community and that is something that can and ought to be celebrated.

I'll be visiting you soon, so keep an eye out.

Andrew

Voting in Tecumseh will take place between October 17th and October 27th by phone and internet. Take a few minutes to use the new Voter Lookup tool to confirm that you're on the voters list.

Voterlookup.ca lets you:

* confirm the accuracy of your elector information;
* update your information where incorrectly recorded; and/or,
* add a name to the enumeration so that it is correctly recorded for municipal and school board voting purposes.
* voterlookup.ca cannot process requests concerning persons who are under 18 years of age on Election Day (October 27 2014).

If you have any difficulty with the VoterLookup.ca process, please contact the campaign and we'd be happy to help you out. 

So it begins today, on July 11th, 2014.  The name of Andrew Dowie will be on the municipal election ballot for the October 25, 2014 election.

Who is Andrew Dowie?

The short answer is that Andrew Dowie believes in public service, and has the skills and knowledge to play a strong part in improving our community.

Over the next few months, you'll find me on your doorstep.  It will be my opportunity to listen, to learn more about your issues, and find out from you how the future of Tecumseh should look like.  It will also be my opportunity to introduce myself, my skills, my knowledge, and offer my own vision for Tecumseh.

This vision for the Town, and for Ward 1 in particular, is one of going back to our roots and building upon them.  We have some great assets in Ward 1 that can be leveraged for economic development, including the untapped potential of our Tecumseh Road corridor.  We have a history of successfully partnering with municipalities to reduce the number of unused assets and make better use of the resources that we have.  I'd like to explore new options where this might work as a start to offsetting some of the tax increases that we've experienced in recent years.  We can achieve growth and vibrancy, as well as gain commercial services closer to home, by seeking an accommodating, accessible and walkable business district right here in Ward 1.

I am excited for the opportunity to present my candidacy and look forward to meeting you soon.  Please check this site as well as my social media channels often for updates as I intend to keep you informed throughout the campaign.  Until next time, have a great day and enjoy the great weather!

Cheers

Andrew

See Trevor Wilhelm's story about my upcoming candidacy.  Thank you Trevor!

Andrew Dowie Enters the Race in Tecumseh's Ward 1

An assortment of photos chronicling some of Andrew's community activities.

With MPP Taras Natyshak and fellow engineers and students from Western Ontario for the Professional Engineers Ontario Government Liaison Program Academy and Congress in 2013.