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Mayors put up unified front in face of governance review

Ugulini says local politicians wanted to send a message to Ford government
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Newly elected Mayor Terry Ugulini (r) takes the oath of office administered by city clerk Donna Delvecchio. Bob Liddycoat/Thorold News

A statement endorsed by all 12 Niagara mayors is promising to find better ways to govern, but begins making the case any changes to the way government works in the region should come from the region.

The statement states local politicians are already working as "Team Niagara" and searching for ways to eliminate any duplication of services and create efficiencies by finding new ways for municipalities to work together, adding they know "... there is room for improvement in the way Niagara works."

In an interview with ThoroldNews, Mayor Terry Ugulini said local mayors just wanted to send a fairly simple message to the Ford government: "We're working together."

Premier Doug Ford's Conservative government has already announced it is reviewing governance in several areas of the province, including Niagara. Ford has already shown a predilection for fewer politicians, slashing the number of council seats in Toronto shortly before the last municipal election.

"The 12 of us are willing to work together, either at the Region or by working together," the mayor said. 

"If we want to maintain the status quo, we're going to have to deliver on finding efficiencies and cutting costs to maintain the two-tier system."

Below is the mayors’ statement:

Statement from Niagara Mayors 
February 4, 2019 

Niagara’s Mayors are united in support for improving governance, transparency and accountability in local government. It has been nearly 50 years since Niagara Region was formed and our communities, economy and the populations we serve have changed significantly in that time. With change comes opportunity, and we agree with the provincial government that there is room for improvement in the way Niagara works. 

We share the same goals in this review: to make it easier to access services, create more efficient local government, reduce duplication and be open for business. We also agree that there are a number of ways to achieve these goals and we expect that local voices and local solutions will truly be considered. 
We are already working together as Team Niagara to be open for business and attract investment, jobs, and economic development. Many local agencies and municipal services are already working together to find efficiencies and reduce duplication. We are working together to build an integrated transit system that works for all of Niagara. And we know we can do more. As Mayors, we will work together to ensure that Niagara is given an opportunity to present made-in-Niagara solutions through this regional governance review. 

Niagara’s Mayors, 

Dave Bylsma, Mayor of West Lincoln 
Jeff Jordan, Mayor of Grimsby 
Frank Campion, Mayor of Welland 
Marvin Junkin, Mayor of Pelham 
Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls 
Wayne Redekop, Mayor of Fort Erie 
Betty Disero, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake 
Walter Sendzik, Mayor of St. Catharines 
Sandra Easton, Mayor of Lincoln 
Bill Steele, Mayor of Port Colborne 
Kevin Gibson, Mayor of Wainfleet 
Terry Ugulini, Mayor of Thorold