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“In Your Ward”: Ward 2, Councilor Mario Zanth 

In this week’s installment of TVC22 news show “In Your Ward”, host Thomas Stockting has an engaging discussion with Cité de / City of Clarence-Rockland Mario Zanth councilor/conseiller Ward/Quartier 2.

The interview took place along the river at Moulin Park in Rockland.

Councilor Zanth briefly discussed his history in local politics.

His journey began in 2014, when he decided to get involved in politics in order to learn and be aware of how the local government works, and also to help the community.

Trying to make policy that helps people

Currently in his 2nd term, Councilor Zanth discussed the possibility of him running for a third term, and how his 1st and 2nd term have been instrumental in the policies that he lobbies for in order to help people.

The first term is where he essentially learned the ropes and took baby steps, while his 2nd term was where he was confident enough to start making bigger decisions.

Councilor Zanth spoke on the recent shutdown, and that he understands the need to balance public safety with not bankrupting the country, but told us that everyone still needs to do their part in order to stop the detrimental pattern of shutting down and re-opening that this province has seen.

In the second half, Councilor Zanth discussed how Ward 2 businesses are feeling frustrated.

He summed it up by saying that the local government is trying everything they can to help local businesses, but must balance their efforts in order to see to all the municipal needs.

Councilor Zanth says that he regularly reposts social media posts from local businesses, in order to gain publicity.

Thomas and Councilor Zanth also had a discussion regarding highway 117, and the unsafe conditions it creates for pedestrians.

The discussion included the addition of advanced pedestrian crossings at certain intersections, and how that although the highway falls under the jurisdiction of UCPR that the city needs to do their part in making it safe for pedestrians.

Councilor Zanth recalled the time he saw a woman pushing a stroller whilst carrying 2 grocery bags on the gravel shoulder on the side of the highway, and that the longer we put this off, the sooner someone will get hurt.

The final part of the discussion was the creation of affordable housing in Rockland.

Councilor Zanth explained that, like any municipality, the problem has existed for a while, but that it has been amplified because of COVID-19.

With home prices 30 percent above value in some places, Councilor Zanth says that this is a problem that needs to be fixed before it gets worse.

The main problem is finding suitable, affordable land, and the land in Clarence Creek that was proposed in 2019 is already owned by the city. 

Councilor Zanth says that the second that a grant from the provincial or federal level is provided, that they want to be ready to jump into action. The city of Clarence-Rockland will make sure all steps are taken and that the UCPR is ready to go as well, in order to get these homes built as soon as possible.