1) Why are you running?
I have already served my friends and neighbours for 15 years on Council and 22 years on Police Board and there’s more for me to do.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
that’s a tough one. The more services required by new residents the more it costs. Perhaps introducing a zero % property tax increase every second year would help our residents but won’t do much nation wide. Cities have smaller areas and way more residents so the taxes are more providing more services. We have 600 – 700 kms of municipal roads for instance to maintain and way less taxpayers.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
first we need to fill in the empty store fronts. Not sure about an industrial parks. Southgate provided one in 2003 but it only caught on very recently. That’s quite a cost to maintain empty.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
since amalgamation each municipality tried to recruit physicians and health care workers, I was on ours. MGH even offered cost free turn key offices to no avail. Happy to say that now the committee made up of reps from a few municipalities continues this quest and will be happy to be on it or, support it.
5) What would you like to see for land development in Grey Highlands?
Housing only in non arrable areas. This area has many quarries and pitts due to the great amount of aggregate in Grey County so, if it can’t be farmed then controlled construction can be permitted.
6) What would you like to see for community safety and well-being?