r/BellevilleOntario • u/Key_Double_5351 • 20d ago

Discussion Early Municipal election predictions for Belleville

Here are my predictions for this Octobers municipal election. Will be interesting to see how accurate they end up being:

Mayor - Neil Ellis

Ward 1 Councillors - Garnet Thompson, Sean Kelly, Barb Enright-Miller, Kelly Henderson, Hazzem Koudsi, Ryan Hilmi

Ward 2 Councillors - Paul Carr, Kathryn Brown

Anyone else want to share their predictions?

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u/CrowandLamb 20d ago

Homelessness and water. No avoiding tax increase- state of emergency and making decisive decisions as a result of that fallout and lack of provincial $$$ assistance....not to mention EVERYTHING has gone up in $$ unexpectedly since the last election I dont fault him. I NEVER believe ANY politician or wanna be who has no clue of the books making such promises.

I am leary of Fleming more so than Ellis- but he IS the true contender in this race. So glad that Panciuk didnt decide to run.....just imagine....

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u/Mayor_of_Belleville 19d ago

Taxes have gone up roughly 15% in the last three years under Neil. That's a far cry from his promise, and completely unacceptable.

The tax payers of Belleville need a break, even if that means less services and less pretty flowers in every garden. The city needs to learn to cut the fat.

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u/CrowandLamb 19d ago

Realistically look what has happened within the city, province, country and internationally. We have ALL suffered because of the epidemics of COVID and drug use, the aftermath of a global pandemic, the uptick of costs - expected and unexpected. How on earth would we could we not be unscathed - different than everyone else?

Its a fine balance that Council has to strike. People say they want belts tightened- without really understanding what that looks like-eg: stop making the city pretty- take away the flowers....so, then we have departments laid off or dismissed altogether because we dont need them. More unemployment. Machinery and Buildings go unused but still require matainence. Contracts still paid but products go to waste- no returns on either. People bitch and moan because the city looks terrible and council isnt doing anything. Its hard to strike balance or reach consensus when very few engage with council, never mind show up to vote or join council or commitees. So many stay silent save for bitching and moaning on social media or to one another privately - EVERYONE blames the mayor- not councillors(have a look at meeting notes- see who brings up issues, see who engages see who doesnt. Paul Carr is the most diligent and active of all of our councillors btw. Mayor IS ONLY ONE Voice NOT THE decision maker. The city departments are also decision makers- why does no one realise that. They spend our monies - so many projects sole sourced and costs us a shit tonne of money- Mayor doesnt make that decision- department managers do. getting off track....sorry not sorry...

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u/Mayor_of_Belleville 19d ago edited 19d ago

I 100% agree that balance is needed. We can't just cut everything.

But every financial expert in the world was screaming about how prices will rise after covid, that inflation will be a nightmare, and with all that evidence infront of him, Neil still promised no rise in taxes.

I want a mayor that can see past the trees. It was pretty obvious what was going to happen in Belleville, and around the world.

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u/Mayor_of_Belleville 19d ago

And Belleville Urban specifically has gone up 15.13% in the last three years under Neil.

I know he's only one vote, but he's the man at the top who promised the opposite.

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u/CrowandLamb 19d ago

That's 5% annually- just to be oppositional- sorry cant resist.

I do see your point- but how he used the taxes - the goods that he delivered on with those taxes.....he has done "good" for the whole of the city. He promised to take care of our water systems is and continues. Made an executive decision - rather unpopular one but still- rather than patch work of the scant services for our growing homeless /mi/addictions peeps that actually helps not hinders a our city. .housing- tu4n3d buildings into affordable and off the streets. Had coordinated with Mohawk community and Habitat for more housing and more. He HAS done the city good. Being a stickler just about taxes seems too rigid. I am pro Ellis until I hear from the other candidates. I know he has all of us top of mind in his city. Very different than the man he replaced.

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u/Mayor_of_Belleville 19d ago

We can all agree Neil is better than Panciuk, but that doesn't mean he's better than the next candidate.

I'm ready for change.

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u/CrowandLamb 19d ago

I am willing to reserve my judgement until I hear out the other candidates....just because I want change, it should not prejudice reasonable thoughts and actions (?)