HAGERSVILLE—James Kaspersetz, one of five candidates vying for the Ward 4 Councillor seat vacated by Natalie Stam earlier this year, is hoping his farming experience and work as a Queen’s Park lobbyist will sway voters to consider him for the role.
Kaspersetz grew up on his family’s farm in Canfield. He attended the University of Guelph, graduating with an Associate Diploma in Agricultural Business and a BA in Political Science. He spent 15 years as a Regulatory Specialist with the Ministry of Environment, a position he retired from five years ago. Currently, he owns a farm in South Cayuga.
He described his role as an Agricultural Lobbyist at Queens Park: “I am working hard on issues like the Carbon Tax Credit for farmers along (with) the need to retain our rural way of life. Recently, I have started discussions about increasing the tax credit for farmers with respect to property tax and decreasing the total carbon tax on fuel. As the councillor for Ward 4 I will be another voice advocating for Haldimand.”
Kaspersetz previously ran for Ward 5 in the municipal election last fall, ultimately losing to Rob Shirton.
He laid out some of the bigger challenges facing the ward, and how he would address them if elected.
“Local traffic management is my concern given that we have two major developments occurring. Under the guidance of the last Council, they favoured development but never considered infrastructure. We have to first improve our roads by developing options for an overpass and how to divert traffic away from the downtown core. I am concerned with the health impacts from the sewage plant where the air emission contains high levels of methane, ozone, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. Many residents last year complained to me about the stench and odour and wanted answers. Residents to the east of the plant are affected by this.”
He called the in-development Library + Active Living Centre a “fantastic” project, but said he would “like to see its purpose expanded to address the needs of young families and senior citizens: “I want a pool for our community so kids can learn to swim, and seniors can go for aqua therapy. I want it to incorporate orthopedic therapy and host a variety of in-water physical fitness.”
He said he would also push to form an association with Mohawk College to use the facility for off-campus learning and pledged to join the committee to “make sure the project stays on budget and focus. Accountability is key to the centre’s success.”
He also suggested that he might consider utilizing the facility as a base-of-operations for local service clubs, which he suggested might entice community members to take part more.
On the proposed Sandusk development, Kaspersetz listed a series of concerns, including the development being too close to the sewage treatment plant and the possible ground water problems associated with breaking up the limestone bedrock, to the disturbance of dormant underground gas wells.
“Many of these concerns can be mitigated but they still need to be addressed, but transportation and gridlock are big concerns. The proposed building of 900 homes would mean approximately 2,000 additional automobiles on Main Street, which already has issues. Let me remind everyone: during the Catch the Ace 2,000 vehicles affected traffic,” said Kaspersetz.
On the divisive Nanticoke MZO, Kaspersetz criticized the “entire planning process from sewage works to the loss of agricultural lands to the cumulative health impacts from air emissions. The consolations were a necessary part of the overall process, and I am hopeful that smarter minds will prevail, however I believe a presentation should be conducted to fully explain what the actual MZO will accomplish. Right now, no one is willing to sit down at the table and discuss everyone’s concerns.”
On inflationary concerns that are currently impacting the cost of County-funded capital projects, Kaspersetz said he would push for a ‘value for money audit’ to “make sure we are getting good value for our dollar.”
The Ward 4 byelection is scheduled for June 19, 2023. The Haldimand Press will have ongoing coverage, including remaining candidate profiles.
