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District of Kent Q&A: Duane Post

District of Kent: Post, Duane - council candidate
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Duane Post

Q: What do you see as the main issue in Agassiz and how do you propose Council can address it?

Hard question to answer, if your flooding right now, drainage is an issue. If your hoping for new trails to hike or cycle than that's what your concerned with. But right now I would say in one word; Trust is the hot topic. Residents trust in council and staff to get the job done properly. Council's trust that people stay in tune with and up to date with what's going on in the community. That's a big task. to regain trust. One way Council can do that is by improving communication, have more info online including audio from all public council meetings.

Q: The Municipality needs to collect taxes to provide sufficient services to all of its members. Explain the benefits or pitfalls in providing tax breaks to businesses or farms as you understand it.

Tax breaks are great if your getting them, but it needs to be made up elsewhere. What I was briefly talking about at the Candidates meeting was a break for new business. If a business starts up or moves into a suitable piece of property, they will already be paying property tax. Any improvements that are made to the property will increase the assessment and in turn increase the tax bill. What I am suggesting is that initially the  tax remain the same for a period of 5 years if the improvements are going to be made. That would be an incentive for that business owner.

Q: While the community elects the Mayor and Councillors, the District staff does the day-to-day work of running operations. If elected, how do you plan to foster relationships within the workplace to keep the District running smoothly?

On of things that Council and Staff do to help foster relationships is to have social events a few times a year ( no cost to the taxpayer). I think that helps to foster good relationships, similar to a company Christmas party. Another way to help foster relationships is to be available to help solve problems, sometimes talking things though and getting the whole story helps a lot. There is a balance between being demanding and being a pushover.