Municipal Elections 2026
The MLA sent out a list of questions to the candidates for reeve in Beckwith and Drummond/North Elmsley. Only Paul Kehoe responded. Check out his answers here:
Q 1. The Mississippi Lakes Association relies on the financial support of its adjacent municipalities for our water safety, environmental, communications and private roads work. Will you continue to support the work of the MLA, in addition to continuing to work closely with the regional Conservation Authority?
Absolutely. I fully intend to see that the MLA continues to be financially supported by the new Council. As for the Conservation Authority I am currently Vice Chair following two years of being Chair. I will remain in the Vice Chair position until January 31 2027 when the new amalgamated Authority takes over. Since the responsibility is being transferred to the County level I am planning on putting my name forward to be the County Representative on the new Board if elected. Currently Lanark has one one Representative but the current Board and Sally (McIntyre, the General Manager) have petitioned the Province to give us another Representative. Hopefully this will happen.
Q 2. There are regular proposals for housing and other developments adjacent to Mississippi Lake, which could increase the boat traffic, the pressure on fish stocks, the risk of transporting invasive species, and the possibility of source water contamination. Will you work to limit subdivisions and other land developments, on sensitive lands near Mississippi Lake?
Couple of things here.
First I am the Council member on the Committee of Adjustment. This Committee oversees minor variances along the lake, (ie small addition to home) I have always taken a win/win approach in these reviews. We generally request shoreline plantings, redirection of roof runoff to back of property or leaching pits, and reduction of hardened surfaces. I know of only one occasion where we did not achieve a win/win and I opposed the proposal but was defeated.
With respect to development last year we updated our Official Plan which is the guidance document for development. We have in place safeguards for protected lands along the shoreline. We rely on the MVCA for expert support with respect to development along the lake and I would see that continuing with the new agency. We don't have any known subdivisions being planned along the lake.
The most recent one was along the Robertson Shore and it had stormwater management ponds required. Its stormwater is directed to the Rideau Watershed. There is also one in Beckwith
The request for housing along the lake tends to be lots of records, tearing down a cottage to put up a house. I think there is not much left to build out on as new lots in Drummond but if there are they certainly would be reviewed for suitability to meet the Official Plan, reviewed by the County who controls severances and of course a review by the CA.
Q 3. The cost of maintaining private lake roads is entirely the responsibility of residents (who must also contribute to the maintenance of other non-private roads through their taxes). The township doesn't contribute to private road upkeep, despite relying on them to provide mandated services such as fire, ambulance, policing, and other municipal services. With significant tax assessment from lakeside properties, it is beyond time for D/NE to shoulder a fair share of the costs - something that neighbouring Beckwith has been doing for 15 years. It is a practice that a growing number of Ontario townships are starting to adopt. Will you commit to working toward a cost contribution program within the next term?
This is a thorny issue. I would love to entertain more dialogue on it. I brought to Council a program that is used in the Barry's Bay, area however Council at that time was not interested. I have gone as far as asking for clarification from MPAC (property assessors). The question I posed was if two identical houses with identical property, one on a private road and one on a Township road would the one on the private road be assessed less. They did confirm in writing that that house on the private road would be assessed less, which given that we just apply a tax rate, would pay lower taxes. I am not sure I believe this myself. I obviously could say I commit to this, but I only have one vote of five. I would like to discuss it more with your group to see if there are other options. I have one in mind, but I don't know the legality of it.
Thanks for reaching out. I am always available to talk.
The MLA thanks Paul Kehoe for providing his views on topics important to the lake community.
The MLA encourages everybody to vote in the upcoming municipal elections !
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