🎥 SIT DOWN FOR THIS ONE: A Real Talk on Bancroft’s History & Future

🎥 SIT DOWN FOR THIS ONE: A Real Talk on Bancroft’s History & Future I had to sit down to record this video, and honestly, you might want to pull up a chair, too. This isn't a quick update; it’s a face-to-face conversation about where our town has been and where it’s headed. I moved to Bancroft in 2020 for that small-town feel and the connection to nature. But the more I talk to you, the more I realize there is a massive history here that I’m only just starting to wrap my head around. There is a lot of frustration in the air right now—about taxes, debt, the 'Strong Mayor' powers, and a growing feeling that the real decisions are happening behind closed doors. Today, I’m going back to basics. I’m asking the people who have been here for 20 or 30 years: How did we get here? 🏛️ The "Hub" Penalty & The Hidden History We are told Bancroft is the "hub" for North Hastings. People from #Faraday, #Carlow/Mayo, and #HastingsHighlands use our hospital, our shops, and our services—but it feels like Town of Bancroft taxpayers are the only ones paying the "premium" for them. The Sewer Debt: Why are 800 households footing the bill for a regional system built on a "promise" from the early 2000s that never arrived? The Drug Crisis: We are at a breaking point. I’m calling out MPP Ric Bresee and MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman—where is the Provincial and Federal support for a small town forced to act as a regional hub for a national crisis? Why are we paying "City" prices on a "Village" tax base? ❓ 5 Questions the Mayor Needs to Answer I have five major questions that I don't have answers to. Maybe Mayor Jenkins can address these in his next "Ask the Mayor" segment: The Revenue Excuse: When does the "Revenue Problem" stop being an excuse and start being a reason to demand a fairer deal from the County? Why are we the only ones paying the "hub penalty"? The Trust Gap: In 2021, our GM moved straight from a Council seat to a $140,000+ administrative role. With "Strong Mayor" powers now in play, does staff work for the taxpayers or strictly for the Mayor’s office? The Sunshine List: We traded a single Public Works Director for a "corporate" layer of managers and a new $105,000+ Infrastructure position. Are the roads getting plowed or fixed any better for that money? The BBIA Mystery: What exactly happened to the BBIA Board that caused every single member to quit in 2024? I’m here to learn. I don't have the 40-year history, but I have the same tax bill you do. I want to hear your stories—the facts, the changes, and the truth. 👇 Drop a comment below. 📩 DM me if you want me to tell your story. This is our town. If we can’t have the conversation on the official pages, we’re going to have it right here. I’m Brad Sinclair, and I’ll see you on the next video. #Bancroft #NorthHastings #LocalPolitics #StrongMayor #TaxpayerVoice #BradSinclair #WalkAndTalk #BancroftOntario #Transparency Shelby Kramp-Neuman MP Ric Bresee Hastings-Lennox & Addington Bancroft and Hastings County Community