Andrew McBride – Hanover Mayoral Candidate
Andrew McBride is a local radio broadcaster and personality, best known as ‘Andy Mack’. He is seeking election as Mayor of Hanover.
A Scottish native who moved his dairy farming business to Canada 25 years ago, McBride owned and operated large, progressive dairy farming operations in Scotland, Canada and in the United States.
McBride was an elected farm leader in the 1990s. He served on numerous local, provincial and national boards before retiring from farming in 2002. He has spearheaded the establishment of three new community radio stations in Ontario, with a fourth on the way.
In his press release, McBride says, “I seek, as the new Mayor, to kick-start the commercial potential of the town by bringing jobs into its nucleus. I see far too many and empty retail spaces that are draining the tax base out of our town.”
Do you have any strategies prepared to encourage local economic growth? Which issue should this next term’s council give to more focus to: A) Bringing in new business developments, or B) encouraging small businesses presently in operations?
I will spearhead a task force to attract the type of retail and service business’s we vitally need. Hanover’s geographic location has made it this areas banking center, The Town Hanover has marketed itself as ‘’The Hub’’ Previous councils have tried to create an environment to attract new business to town, but have missed the mark in actually head hunting vital retail and service business.
To be a destination town, everything needs to be in one place, this attracts people to stay, shop, and do business. I have a shopping list of specific stores, services and business Hanover residents wish to see in town. We must embrace our youth with inspiration and enthusiasm building a community they will want to stay, live and work in, finding rewarding employment, career and business opportunities.
What do you see has been the largest challenge over the last 10 years, faced by business operators in your region?
Hanover has faced many challenges of over the past 10 years. The largest challenge Hanover has faced is the lack of development land which has prevented the attraction of larger industries. This has steered Hanover to develop towards more of a service industry town with privately owned business and a growing retirement community.
We must develop Hanover into a vibrant retail and business center. This is even more important now with the development of the new partnership with West Grey. This will open up new and exciting opportunities which have hindered our growth in the past.
Do you think local business taxes are at a fair rate, or should be lowered or raised? Should there be any changes in the municipal services provided to businesses, (such as garbage removal)?
This is a difficult question to address, as the growing number of empty retail spaces is now proving a burden on Hanover residents. Absentee property owners are using our town as a tax right off, at the expense of Hanover home owners. Unrealistic rents make the problem challenging.
As a council, we need to tackle the issue head on, implementing policies to give new and growing business the opportunity to develop and grow in retail spaces at an economical and profitable level. This will raise our tax income and take the reliance, and the pressure off home owners.
Winter can be challenging when we have a large amounts of snowfall in a short period. We must make sure our streets and new downtown streetscape is built for fast, easy and cost effective snow removal.
What are three things would like to see achieved during your term as mayor?
1. See the completed revitalisation of our downtown core, incorporating, a new indoor, year round farmers market, landscaped with benches, greenery and trees making downtown Hanover “A People Place.”
2. The completion of the Carriage Hall facility at The Hanover Race Track, including the development of all the supporting businesses which will bring much needed full time jobs. We have many under used local assets like The Saugeen Municipal Airport which we need to utilize.
3. The establishment of Hanover’s first Community Garden, a permanent town museum and the selection and completion of the proposed new dog park.
