By Dan Jones, LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM
Affordability and connectivity are central themes of Steven Haylestrom’s election platform, as he seeks to become mayor of Trent Hills in the Oct. 26 municipal election.
The Warkworth native is asking what the area’s future will look like for young people.
Housing is top of mind for Haylestrom, who wants to build affordable homes.
“When it comes to development, we really have to think about what is needed in Trent Hills,” he said. “What are people really looking for?”
He points to proposed projects in Campbellford and Warkworth, which received pushback for being too expensive.
Haylestrom is committing to fast-tracking municipal permitting for Additional Dwelling Units so “seniors can downsize on their own properties and families can create comfortable intergenerational housing, without anyone having to live in a basement.”
Haylestrom alleges Trent Hills has cell phone dead zones, including one outside the municipal building.
He proposes treating cell service as a safety infrastructure issue, bringing carriers and all levels of government to one table to address dead zones.
Haylestrom said the municipality relies too much on consultants, rather than internal expertise, in making impactful decisions. He points to what he calls mistakes by the previous council, including demolishing the outdoor pool before building a replacement and mismanagement in building the new recreational complex. Haylestrom is competing against Michael Metcalf for mayor of Trent Hills.
Listen to the full interview:
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