2) Why are you running?
“My life has always been about service to others both working both as an individual and collaborating with community members to help others and my community at the same time. I have spent over 39 years helping my community to grow and prosper.
I’ve spoken to and been contacted by many people and they’ve encouraged me continue as Councilor for the Port Elgin Ward. People from not only Port Elgin, but Southampton and Saugeen Township.
They believe I am the right choice for Council and for this growing community This is a huge commitment but I do have the time, I have the energy and most importantly – the relevant professional and community experience to help better this growing community.
As a Councilor, I want to continue to ensure municipal Committee recommendations are put into action and policy.
My goal is that residents of all ages and incomes will have someone to represent them at the municipal level.”
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Support of Saugeen Shores becoming a “living wage” community and attainable and affordable housing. We are “missing middle” in housing — how, for example, couples or single parents whose children have grown up and moved away still live in the homes near schools because they can’t find an affordable place to live if they downsize.
We need to build for the empty nesters who will then sell their homes to the families who will utilize the schools and core neighbourhoods. This will only happen with diversity in housing in our neighbourhoods as well as new developments.
In addition, we need more entry-level, affordable accommodations. Incentives like grants or subsidies to not-for-profit contractors that work primarily in rural settings would be a good first step to help with our dire labour shortage in all sectors – Retail – Food & Hospitality and the construction trades.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
I have always believed that we need to support our Tourism based businesses to become a four season destination with events and attractions for all ages and incomes. For six years I was Tourism Coordinator and I heard over and over that we need to extend the season and create experiences in our community for all seasons. A municipal Council can work with Town staff, developers, small business owners and local community groups and organizations to make this a reality with government partners for funding and create infrastructure and programming to attract visitors.
I also want to help create and attract light industrial and remote based businesses opportunities in our rural community.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Saugeen Shores not only has an obligation, but a responsibility to recruit all levels of health care workers – PSW’s, nurses, lab techs, physiotherapist and all medical health care workers. Especially mental health professionals.
Saugeen Shores has been part of a successful Doctor Recruitment Committee with Town of Kincardine. I think we need to continue to work with neigbouring municipalities to not only recruit Doctors but widen the scope of who we want to attract and work to nurses, mental health and addition medical professionals and PSW’s.
It is incredibly important to sell the lifestyle associated with living in Bruce County and Saugeen Shores to prospective physicians and their families. We need to continue to reach out to medical residency coordinators who are forwarded vacant opportunities and post them within their respective organizations, and attendance at medical conventions and job fairs.
Personal connections and networking through these events have proven to be effective in the recruitment process in the past and endorse continuing with this tactic.
The use of social media has been beneficial in recruiting physicians to the area and I have confidence in our Communication department working on this initiative if requested from Council and Managers.
5) What are your views on the revitalization of Port Elgin’s waterfront?
The Port Elgin Main Beach was identified as a key destination in the Saugeen Shores Waterfront Master Plan, completed in 2013. It was identified due to its attraction for families to enjoy the pristine sand and clear water as well as its beautiful sunsets. It is a popular destination for residents as well as tourists and visitors.
During the consultation process for the Waterfront Master Plan (of which I was a member of this Masterplan committee for 3 years) it was determined that the Port Elgin Main Beach should be considered as the showpiece of the community, should be an attraction during all seasons, and needed a complete “makeover”.
There were 36 recommendations in this Masterplan and I have seen Town Staff ensure that those recommendations that came from 21 stakeholders’ groups and at 2 large public meetings are included in a current Port Elgin Public including planned development, and with newly built new washroom/beach house. And as a guide for future waterfront projects and infrastructure at the Port Elgin Beach.
I am glad to see that three years of work with public consultation is being acted on and follows what the public has asked for.
6) How would you propose the town manage its projected growth over the next 10 to 20 years?
Town staff and Council in the past have been and are currently financially responsible and looking at targeted population growth statistics to prepare and plan for the future.
A recent media release sent out by the Town of Saugeen Shores states how it is managing growth:
- Significant investment in infrastructure by spending $17.5 million on capital assets, including the investment in Lamont Sports Park Phase 1, McEwing Bridge, as well as millions for roads, water, and wastewater projects.
- A $6M+ increase in the Reserve and Reserve Funds from $33,517,648 to $39,355,237. These funds will be used for future capital investment such as the proposed Aquatic and Wellness Centre.
- A $400K+ operating budget surplus transferred to the Tax Stabilization Reserve, a so-called “rainy day fund” for the Town.
“The Town is financially well-positioned for the future,” said Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Daniel Waechter.
“We are making significant investments in the Town’s future by spending on capital projects and infrastructure,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “We are able to do this because of our substantial financial reserves. Careful planning and financial discipline are both key to helping us manage the growth in our community while improving the quality of life for residents.”