Tim Wilkins may not have a lot of political experience but he thinks his life experience would serve him well on Plympton-Wyoming council.
Wilkins, 39, is taking his second shot at running for a council position.
He says his work in everything from storm water and road management and his volunteering with the Camlachie fire department would make him a good addition to council.
And he thinks it is time for some new ideas.
Do you have any political and community experience?
This is Wilkins’ second attempt at becoming a Plympton-Wyoming councillor. He’s also a volunteer firefighter in Camlachie and coaches children’s sports.
Why are you running for council?
“I love being involved. I love seeing people enjoying what you’ve created…running for council, I’m trying to make things better, make things easier and make things fair. Trying to make sure there is no buddy system that’s happening – it doesn’t matter if you’re my best friend, you’re treated equal and fair in the municipality.”
Do you feel like that is going on in Plympton-Wyoming?
“I think even more so every year. I’ve never had issues with it…people I know, customers of mine…you get to hear lots of stories all the time…I think a municipality should try to help people succeed whether it be a business trying to grow or someone trying to build onto their house, it shouldn’t be difficult. We should be helping people succeed.”
What is the big issue?
“Something I would like to see re-looked at is development fees. Development fees are very high in our area and I think that does deter people from wanting to build in our area and businesses from wanting to come and do things in our area as well.
“I think we’re almost the most expensive municipality out there. When you question it, they say ‘Oh, well, it is to cover our costs…administration fees.’ You’re already making budgets with that staff and that’s what staff does so I don’t think these fees have to be that much…
“We’ve been 20 years of being so proud that we are the cheapest taxes but in the last six, seven years, they’ve pretty much maximized the tax they can, basically playing catch up…People don’t mind one or two per cent a year but when we’re maxing it, it is unfortunate, it pretty well has to be like that because we’re playing catch up now.”
Wilkins adds with so many councillors serving a long time, there may be areas which others would see which have been neglected.
“Change is good. The councillors we have have done an awesome job but I definitely wouldn’t want to see all of the council gone…but I think it is healthy to have some new thoughts and new perspectives.”
What sort of qualities you have that you would bring to council?
“I’ve got 20 years plus experience in agriculture, I have got experience living in town…I own an industrial commercial property so I see that side of the coin too. With our business we manage storm water ponds, we manage sewage water systems, we manage roads, we look after parking lot repairs, I’m certified in salt management. I think that part of my business is something that can help the municipality.”
Wilkins adds his 15 years on the fire department and as a business owner deals with human resources and health and safety issues daily. “I feel there is so many different areas that touch municipal government and I’ve worked in a lot of those fields.”
Is there something you would like to see accomplished in the next four years?
“I just want to see people treated fair. I want to relook at the development fees and the water and sewer charges need to be looked at for the people who have pools and irrigation systems that are paying huge fees for sewage fees for water that is not even seeing the sewer. That seems to be a really big issue; I’ve had enough people really angry about it that I think it needs to be looked at.”
