Geoff Bleich for Chelsea, Quebec Ward 2 councillor
Geoff Bleich
Welcome to the blog page for Geoff Bleich.
The Low Down has invited him to post his campaign platform, ideas, and any other information about the candidate here. We also invite comments from the public in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Here is a link to my site www.geoffbleich.com
Why Vote for Geoff Bleich?
If you agree with my vision of a semi-rural Chelsea with very limited spending on infrastructure, then you should clearly vote for me.
If you do not agree with my vision, please still consider voting for me because of what I will bring to council in terms of financial knowledge. If you want a council that will build big sewer projects and create all sorts of new development in Chelsea, then you should at least want one member of that council who can understand financial statements. Why? Because that kind of vision is going to be very expensive.
I am a certified accountant with close to 20 years of financial experience in, among other things, domestic and international lending, turnaround management of bad loans, restructuring of non-performing debt and credit analysis. As far as I can tell, there is not another candidate who is even remotely equipped to understand or ask the right questions to ensure that the financial disaster of the last council does not continue.
I have reviewed the financial statements of the municipality dating from 1999 to 2008. What I see is that from 1999 to 2004, debt stayed more or less constant at about $1 million with total taxation of about $4 million per year. By the end of 2008, council had overseen debt growth to $8 million with total taxation of about $7 million. This was done without any of the expensive spending now proposed for unnecessary sewers and recreational projects. The worst part is that there are many roads in Chelsea still desperately in need of repair. Without some kind of control, we are headed towards a very expensive community in terms of taxation. Think high density housing will help reduce taxes through increased revenues? If that were the case, then the average tax bill in Ottawa or Gatineau would be lower than in Chelsea, but it’s NOT.
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I am gonna post my observations here as it is a neutral blog where no one but the Lowdown can erase them.
The following are responses to a few of your “Thoughts du jour“ from your webpage. Read here : http://geoffbleich.com/
Pensée of the day no 2:
This message is for the other residents of Ward 2 (b): All high density developements, municipal projects and drunk drivers must remain on the west side of the 5 so as to keep all high income, quiet families safe on the east side (or Ward 2 (a)).
This must be Mr. Bleichs’ dream community…maybe we should reroute the tracks to simplify things….you think my daughters will be able to date boys on the A side, they don’t drink yet…
Your sarcasm is getting tedious. I assume that nobody including yourself has ever had a beer and a smoke in a public place without driving home drunk? One beer is hardly criminal sir ….or did you stick around to count. In anycase you’re making a case that the rink is needed and can pay for itself if you and Gatineau residents use it.
This is the type of attitude the community needs to get away from. It is divisive and self righteous.
We’ve been through our referendum, the people have had their say. Those that didn’t vote left it up to those that did. It’s called democracy.
Your You-pay-for-your-things-I’ll-pay-for-mine philosophy is hardly a call to unity.
By the way…did you get a release form from the people you photographed and put up on your webpage? Didn’t think so…..
Thought du jour no 4
Let me get this right….low income housing?? That’s your thought for that day? Must of been one hell of a night last night. Take a break for Sunday. Isn’t that type of project funded by municipalities? Yesterday’s #3 thought was better … dozens or hundreds of tertiary septic systems dumping grey water into our ditches.
Pensée of the day no 5
Unwilling population or unwilling bleich….The sewer project is an inevitability Mr Bleich. The quality of water for some of those residents is becoming a health issue, not to mention the health of Chelsea creek, that the province cannot overlook. Québec will be forced to act on our behalf if we do not. Now I wouldn’t want to discredit your wisdom but maybe you don’t regard drinkable water as being important. These people are a part of our community are they not? If so, sir, then as a community we should come together and deal with this important issue as a community…. or will you open another pettition to oppose and then complain about the cost of the ensuiing referendum.
I assume you will change your mind when the septic systems in the “flat lands” become saturated prematurely and residents on your side of the five need a sewer system.
Your vision seems to be restricted to this fiscal year.
***********************************************************
So Mr Bleich has a dream…a dream for a better community….a dream for a better community for GEOFF BLEICH!!
Finally a reader!
So can I count on your vote Stéphane? I guess not, but for what it is worth, here is some more detail on what I think.
My point about the arena is that if we build it, it should be close an interchange so that the users, who will largely come from outside of our community will access it without causing more traffic than we already have. If it is located beside the A5 at either the Hendricks Farm property right beside the highway or even the municipal land right beside the Scott Rd. exit, there would be no additional traffic through any residentially area of Chelsea (A, B, C or even D). An just to be unequivocal on my position on the arena, I do not think we should build one. However as at best I will be one voice on council, should the decision be taken to build one, let’s locate it where it makes sense.
Ensuring that Chelsea is a diverse community is something that is important to some residents of Chelsea. During the Chelsea Creek debate some suggested that it would provide more affordable housing in Chelsea and result in more diversity of income. If this is true and people want to take action, I don’t think it needs to be done through high density housing. Habitat for Humanity builds are another way to go.
Tertiary septic treatment systems don’t release grey water. As a result in amazing advances in septic treatment, there are many systems, but if you have some time you can start by reading.
This seems really cool, but not sure if it would fly in Quebec.
http://healthyhousesystem.com/about.html
These guys are totally certified in Quebec.
http://www.premiertechenv.com
I doubt that anyone on either side of the A5 will NEED a sewer system, saturated fields can easily be replaced with new technology.
I would like to see some information that you can find on how artesian wells will become contaminated by a lack of a sewer system in Chelsea. Contaminated Artesian wells are generally a result of a cracked casing that allows surface coliforms to enter the well. If you can find some information to the contrary, I will be happy to admit my error. That being said, perhaps some surface wells (if people are still using them) could be contaminated by poor septics which is why our municipality needs to ensure that people run proper septic treatment systems or have proper holding tanks that do not leech. If a small sewer system is needed in Old Chelsea, I would not be opposed to it. However, it would ultimately be paid for by the users, just as those with septics need to pay for their replacements.
The referendum results have been a disaster in Chelsea. Both of them provided a legal means for the “winners” to move on, but do you honestly think communities are built by moving forward on projects that such a high percentage are against? In any case, it is up to the new council to decide where to go with the arena, my view would be to find something that works for a bigger percentage of the population, but there will be 5 other councilors to over-rule me if I’m wrong
My vision is not restricted to this fiscal year and I will post on that very soon.
If what I think is a better community for Geoff Bleich is not a better community for the other residents of Chelsea, then clearly I will not be elected, I’m just hoping that there is actually commonality between what I think is good and what most others think is good. Marcel or Bruce would make find councilors as well, so it’s not as if anyone is stuck voting for me.
PS. And you are right about there being nothing wrong with having a beer and a smoke in the parking lot after a game. I have done it countless times myself – that might be me in the right hand corner of the picture – but it’s a little too blurry so I cannot be sure…
Geez…..
First off…habitat for humanity is a charity. I don’t think their mission is to build villages, especially in communities where the household income is way above the average.Building a “ghetto“ in Chelsea will not resolve any of the problems, and it will attract a clientele that will need MORE community infrastructures such as community centers, arenas, basketball courts, skate parks and the much dreaded Tim Horton’s that ALL residents use in Gatineau or Hull, but refuses to have in it’s city limits. Didn’t think of that eh Mr Bleich?
Second, the sewer system IS a necessity. Welcome to the 21st century!! All the businesses on Old Chelsea rd will flourish; more income, more spending, and we can get some of that newly acquired disposable income in form of property taxes if they reface or build an addition to their buildings. Workers building in the area will eat in our restaurants. They will get their cars fixed in our garages. They might discover what a great little town this is and build a house here. They might come for a few days during their vacations. I don’t know how much property taxes will be collected from Chelsea Creek, but I know it will be A WHOLE LOT!! The Meredith center will rent out more often, and therefore be able to be maybe self-sufficient. I really don’t care about your accountant experience, because those are cold hard facts: The vast majority of Chelsea residents will NOT become unable to butter their toasts because of a slight tax increase to pay for a sewer system that will save them on the long run a bunch of money in maintenance,repairs and emptying of sceptic systems.
Welcome back Stéphane, I’m still not convinced you are going to vote for me.
Anyway, here are some facts from the Chelsea municipal website.
Taxes for a property assessed at $292 600/2009 rate
Chelsea $2,259
Ottawa $3,568
Gatineau $3,568
Since Ottawa and Gatineau have way more density, taxpayers and businesses than Chelsea, should they not pay much less tax than we do in Chelsea? Funny how it just does not work that way. I guess all those sewers and arenas do cost something after all.
Stéphane - sorry I mis-typed the amount for Gatineau.
It is in fact $3,777 (62% more than Chelsea).
Mr. Beaudoin,
Is your company in the position to bid on all or part of the Meredith center or the Chelsea Creek development? Just curious.
Mr Miller
No not at all actually,and I find your insinuation more than inadequate.
I have plenty of work on my own without bidding on ANY projects for the next 5 or 6 years.
Mr Bleich….
Of course they cost something, but remember that the other mentioned municipalities have a fire depmt (not low-cost volunteers), fire hydrants, a 20 hours a day bus system, a police force of their own, etc etc….How can you compare apples with oranges???
No I will not vote for you…my choice is made…but even if by the greatest act of god ever I would have thought of voting for you, your disrespect of certain citizens and the general rules at the debate was just one more reason to come to my senses.Can’t wait for those videos to show up here….
Stéphane,
True about the apples and oranges - so far Chelsea is nothing like Gatineau or Ottawa.
I thought I followed the rules at the debate - the moderator never told me otherwise.
I try to state things as plainly and honestly as I am able to, I sincerely hope that is not taken as disrespectful.
So of the other two candidates, I who will you vote for?
Mr Beaudoin,
We should all consider ourselves lucky that a certified accountant is willing to commit 4 years participating on council. Maybe you are not aware but Chelsea has had trouble holding on to it’s accountants the last couple of years. Mr. Bleich’s expertise, unlike Mr. Gauvreau , will extend beyond the completion of the Meredith Center.
What do you know about Mr Gauvreau, Mr Miller?? Here’s What “I“ know:
Been a general contractor many years, doing his own accounting.
Been the owner of 3 appartment buildings for many years, doing his own accounting.
Head of a family of 6, doing the budgetting.
Doer, not a talker or a “keyboard type“.
Hands-on kinda guy.
Straight talker.
Honest.
Trustworthy.
Level-headed, to name a few.
This is based on my 6 years of business and personnal relations with him. He’s one of the very few people I call friend, and the best candidate in his ward. Period.
Soooo…what do YOU know about Marcel Gauvreau, Mr Miller??
Mr Bleich…
Your demeanor is most of the time violent and exagerrated: I was near the elementary school when you screamed at then Mayor Jean Perras from across the parking lot; I was at the debate when you insulted Luc Poulin, and a few residents. You even had to apologize at the end, but the pattern was exposed. The only thing you will achieve in council with this attitude is tie it up and block the municipal office.
Your web site says you want to listen, but to the first question from the public you yelled a cathegoric NO and there was no way to get you to remotely “hear and discuss“ of the subject. Again, I can only hope that those videos shot by LDTV show up here.
Mr. Beaudoin,
The only thing I know about Mr. Gauvreau is that he suggested a 5-15% cost overrun on the Meredith center would be acceptable. I disagree.
Also, before this campaign he has been all but invisible concerning municipal affairs.
I’m sure all the things you say about him are true but how is a man with four kids, a contracting business, three apartments etc…going to find the time to be an effective councilor.
Besides that I can appreciate Mr. Bleich’s passionate approach to municipal affairs. I hope he gets elected.
You can have the last word.
Cheers
Stéphane,
I did not have to nor was I asked to apologize to anyone. I chose to apologize to Joseph Potvin because I felt I was too curt in my response.
Though Joesph does not live in my district, I co-incidentally just returned from meeting with him where we discussed the train and other issues. We did find some common ground in a desire to make the community paths project that has been on hold for over a decade in this municipality a reality. If I get elected and we can move a way from the arena, hopefully we can get something happening on that front.
(Pardon me for stepping into your district, Mr. Bleich, but your area seems to be the most lively!)
Ryan,
As a father of 2 young ones, volunteer firefighters, independent businessman, full time worker, etc, etc…I can assure you it’s possible to be an effective councillor. Why? Ever hear the adage (I’m paraphrasing) “if you want something done, give the job to the busiest person on the floor.” I’m not disparaging either candidate…just saying that being busy means doesn’t mean being ineffective, it just may be that you have the right stuff to juggle many different issues at the same time. And bringing passion to city hall is not a bad thing…as long as compassion and civility come along with it.
Edmond Hetu
(Candidate Ward 6)
Well I’ll take the last word….
DELEGATE
Mr Gauvreau has subalterns to tend to his business and appartments. Every other councillor candidate has a day job too you know…
MEREDITH CENTER
Where in heck did you hear Mr Gauvreau talk about 5-15% on Meredith center????? Please tell me, because he was talking in general terms, NOT the center per say. Please inform yourself before making false and insinuating remarks my good sir.( BTW That’s twice )
Mr Bleich is not passionnate; he is out-of-control of his emotions….BIG difference, but since you seem to know him well, I don’t need to tell you this.
We don’t need a loud mouth blocking municipal affairs. We need someone who will actually stop and evaluate EVERY suggestions of the citizens in the ward, not only Preservation Chelsea’s line of conduct. It’s time for a change in Chelsea, and Marcel Gauvreau IS that change. Heck, I wish he was running for mayor….
And where do you get that Mr Gauvreau was “invisible“ before???
I guess you don’t remember seeing him at the municipal assemblies you attended? Oh wait…did YOU attend municipal assemblies??
Mr Gauvreau may be a behind the scenes participant, but he IS a participant. He will fight tooth and nail for the good people of Chelsea, like he always did since he moved there.
Ok let’s call this final wordS….actually probably not….
Monsieur Hétu,
BRAVO!!!
That’s all I can say…..
I see in your responses Mr Bleich that you (voluntarely, me thinks) omit the parts that aren’t so shiny….
What about the screaming insanities at Mr Perras in the school parking lot??
What about you wanting (among others) to get the minor league baseball team compete in a lower rank so they would be contenders (instead of training them to achieve goals set by the league,and therefore risking making all these kids “lose“ a year because of age standards)??
I was there, Mr Bleich…as were many others…and I saw your out-of-control demeanor.
“Le passé est garant de l’avenir“…well some of your past actions don’t really make you shine, Mr Bleich.
(OUT OF SUBJECT REMARK: We didn’t raise pigs together, so I really don’t think we’re on a first name basis. I’m just sayin’.)
Hey Edmond,
Welcome to my blogspot!
With respect to Marcel Gauvreau, I know him from his kid playing baseball with my son and I have no reason to doubt that he is a great guy. I also have no reason to doubt that he would make a fine councillor, busy or not. I am also extremely busy and doubt that I have any more time than Marcel.
So to everyone who does not like what I am saying, please vote for Marcel or Bruce, anyone who does, vote for me.
Anyway, Edmond, if we end up working together have no fear, I am long on compassion.
So now that Edmond, Ryan and Marcel’s #1 fan have had their say on my blogspot - let’s leave it open to others.
PS. Did anyone see the clip from the Lorax on my website? - it’s a beauty and should give everyone something to think about. Stéphane, if you don’t like the clip, could you please go to Marcel’s blog and tell people there what an idiot I am, I think that at this point they need to scroll down too far to get the message here…
Just a comment as the person who moderates these comments before they go live. Let’s keep the references to candidates’ personal lives (I’m referring to the minor league baseball reference from Mr. Beaudoin) out of this discussion. Please stay on issue, and do not swerve into what may end up to be a personal attack.
With all due respect Miss Mantell, past achievements and flaws ARE the issue here. I am trying to make a point that Mr Bleich did NOT work for those kids when he suggested that (the baseball thing), and did NOT represent himself as a respectful member of this community when he insulted Mr Perras at the school. How can he pretend that he will be the opposite of that after being elected??
Mr Bleich
You should thank me for writing on your blog here, because no one else did, they just responded to my posts.
You see Mr Bleich this is EXACTLY what I am referring to in your attitude. YOU CANNOT CONTROL WHO RESPONDS HERE, and how frequently they do so.
I will comment on anything anywhere whenever I feel like it. It’s called freedom of speech, Mr Bleich, and it is an important part of municipal politics…you know…LISTENING to citizens.
Stéphane,
Well I guess you got me. I am a violent, mayor-yelling, maniac who volounteers with Baseball Chelsea in order to destroy any chance the kids have of enjoying baseball. Before that I was on the board of the CPE Montessori in order to ruin the pre-school experience of those children, most of them have probably dropped out of school by now. As Treasurer at Saint Mary Magdalene, I have been embezzling their funds, but the wardens don’t say anything because I terrorize them at the vestry meetings. The last priest left because she was so scared of my violent outbursts. But if you think that’s bad, that’s nothing because now I am going to get elected and ruin Chelsea for everyone by trying to slow down development and spending.
On that note, here is something to think about. Chelsea Creek is projected to have 197 units. If they pay the average property tax of Chelsea ($2,300), that will provide just $453,100 in additional annual property tax revenue to the municipality. For the past 4 years, we have spent $2,000,000 more per year than the $7,000,000 currently received in property taxes financed through debt.
So given that the income from even a project like Chelsea Creek which is to be developed over 5 years will only cover 25% of the annual overspending, how can anyone possibly think we can continue like this? Time to wake up!
You may be good at accounting but you forget sinple rules.
More people = more money spent in the village businesses.
More money spent in the village businesses = more money for said businesses to build or revamp.
More money for said businesses to build or revamp = more property taxes.
Now the sewer system you are so bent on seeing scrapped will raise property values of those connected to it by 35 to 50% in some cases.
Added value to property = more property taxes.
More property taxes = FASTER PAYMENT OF DEBT.
FASTER PAYMENT OF DEBT = less interest.
This is from the on-site experience I gained over the years: Never let the accountant decide your growth potential…they don’t see the big picture.
I’ll even go further:
While the street is dug up, I say we stick an aqueduc in there too. No more wells, added value to properties (and therefore more property taxes, refer to chart above), and a more modern centre village that will attract more tourists and even more money.
M. Beaudoin,
I like your logic, oh wait, hasn’t that approach been tried in Gatineau? Maybe we should move there so we do not have to wait for the economic growth engine to arrive?
Not to mention, wether the mill rate increases or home assessments increase, it results in the same thing: increased property taxes.
Lack of sewers and septic have kept Chelsea with low density living in a rural atmosphere for a long time. We are lucky to live in such a unique enviroment. For those who want water and sewer there are lots of places.
There are other option, I believe, Les Fougeres would be an example of how a business invested in its own infrastructure and now as adequate septic/sewer requirements to meet its needs, and as far as I know they are doing well.
Even if I understand that people have living here with wells and crappy sceptic systems for ages, I still think it’s time to move on and get with the program at least for center village.
Why move to Gatineau?? I like my house, I like the town, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be better. We’re not talking about getting Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s in here, we are talking about raising the quality of life. Yes it will cost a few millions over the years, but the dividend in the end is very good both moneytarely and in added quality of life for those who will use the new infrastructures.
Sceptic systems in Chelsea are REALLY bad for people with less than an acre of land. The cost of servicing them is about the same as the tax hike for a sewer system, wich is better for the environment. You can’t “GO GREEN“ on the sceptic systems installed on those parts of land.
I also understand that the older folks living here are a bit scared that new developments will attract “bad seeds“ in the `hood. This is why we cannot build low-income housing as proposed by Mr Bleich. If we want to develop (some of us do you know) then we should be selective in the type of properties and or developments we allow. I think Chelsea Creek is a very fine project that will attract desirable families. Families that will gladly pay for their kids to use a multi-disciplin center such as the Meredith, instead of driving them to Masham, Aylmer or Gatineau.
As for the aqueduc…why not pass a by-law that forces ALL new buildings connected to the system to have a water meter, and giving a period of grace for existing properties? This would satisfy the people that want the people using it to pay for it, and would cost only the reading of said meters every year to the municipality.
It’s time to get in gear and modernize…at least center village.
I would like to thank the Low Down and the dialogue participants for a colourful discussion. Please let me know when the live debate and discussion will take place I will be sure to get a ring side seat.
I did want to comment about the reference to baseball in Chelsea and how the association works. As the President of the Association I can assure everyone that decisions are not made by any one individual. Decisions regarding baseball are made as a collective by the Board where as President I try to create consensus. All are welcome to provide their views and suggestions but in the end everyone has to agree on the way forward.
The discussion on what levels our children should compete is one where we struggle as an association to field teams comparable to those from large association like Aylmer and Gatineau. Our desire as a Board is to create an environment where all our baseball players and umpires can develop at levels appropriate to their skills and experience. We will work together as a local Board within the region find solutions to achieve that goal.
I do have a baseball related question for all candidates in Ward 1. In order for baseball to accommodate our increasing numbers and in order to bring tournaments and playoffs into Chelsea we need to invest in our field. I would argue that improvements to the diamond itself and the ability to play at night would have a positive economic impact. More kids and parents would come to Chelsea, visit the local stores for a drink or a candle and go for a bite at the restaurants and perhaps spend a few hours relaxing at a spa.
What are your thoughts Mr. Bleich?
Well first response is for Mathieu.
It is sad that baseball currently ends for Chelsea kids after Pee Wee (ages 12-13), because there is only one suitable diamond and there are no lights which would allow for a second evening game for Bantam (the next level). Having lights would also allow for some adult softball.
A few years ago the municipality had identified lights for the ball field as a potential purchase with an estimated price of $100,000. However, this coincided with some residents realizing that taxes were increasing significantly at the same time as Chelsea was taking on significant debt. In response to the Chelsea Citizens Coalition organized by Hugette Poulin and Kensel Tracy, the municipality asked residents to fill-in a questionnaire asking about their spending priorities. After the survey was complete, two things that were low on the list were a $2 million community centre and $100,000 lights for the baseball field. The lights for the diamond were cancelled but somehow the community centre morphed into a $10 million project.
While the previous council was able to find $50,000 to give to the Wakefield Train (see council minutes of February 2, 2009), there was no money for the kids.
So I guess the easy answer would be to promise to fight to get those lights installed.
However, as a result of the reckless spending of the previous council, I don’t think the municipality can pay for those lights until the budget is brought under control.
Perhaps what the municipality can do is to try to find a less costly solution for lighting and then as a community we can try to raise funds for the lights.
However, if the new council is made up of the big spenders who would ramp up the debt, maybe they can just throw is $100,000 for lights as it is chump change compared to arenas and sewers.
Stéphane,
I do not know where you get the idea that I want to build low-income housing? If you were around for the Chelsea Creek arguments, you will recall the project being touted as something that would bring diversity of income to Chelsea by offering condo apartments for sale. What I have said is that if anyone in Chelsea wants to put their money where their mouth is, they should organize with like-minded community members to bring a Habitat for Hummanity build to Chelsea. A Habitat for Humanity build can involve 1 single family home. Also I find it repulsive that you can equate someone needing a helping hand to have a decent home with “ghettos”.
As for sewer versus septic, here is an interesting perspective for you to consider.
http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/sewer_vs_septic.html
Finally, it should be clear that I am not the candidate to vote for in District 2 if you want intensive development in Chelsea. Would you be so kind as to identify who people should vote for if they do want that?
Well…..
The best man won…like I predicted……
I was gonna offer you my congratulations on a campaign well done….but your stubborness got the best of you….yet again….