1. Why are you running?
I am running for Hanover Town Council because I think I have something to offer and I want to help shape the future of this community. After living in Hanover for over 43 years I have come to love this town. I have had numerous occasions to work, volunteer and participate in a variety of activities in town. I am confident that my
organizational skills, my strong work ethic, and my passion to serve will translate well to the responsibilities of a Councillor. I will work hard to respect the work that has been done by past Council, while preparing for what lies ahead, keeping the best interests of taxpayers in mind at all times. Spending time volunteering in my community has given me a unique perspective on both the positives and the challenges that Hanover faces today which will serve me well as a Councillor.
2. Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
In my opinion, there is very little municipalities can do to help ease the cost of living for our residents. Increases in the cost of living are the result of inflation rates that have risen worldwide as a result of the pandemic, supply chain issues, staffing shortages and high housing prices. Municipalities do not control gas prices, nor do they control the
cost of food. Nonetheless, municipalities can pressure other forms of government to increase wages for public sector workers. However, if municipalities cut back on service, this presents further hardships for our residents.
Council needs to make prudent decisions when dealing with how to spend taxpayers’ hard-earned tax money. We can also continue to advocate the county, province and the federal government for the creation of affordable and attainable housing for our area.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
I agree that we need to “ . . . create an environment that supports economic diversification, a broader range of attractive employment opportunities and our role as a regional centre in order to retain existing residents and businesses and attract investment and new families to the community” as stated in Hanover’s Strategic Plan 2019-
2022.
Just this year we have witnessed strong efforts with our HIPP Culture program in making Hanover a cultural centre by welcoming people from around the region: a fall market, a Christmas market, a Culture Days celebration, Music in the Square, Back Porch event concerts and the recent renovation of the Hanover Civic Theatre and Community Hall.
Perhaps the town needs to redo the Community Improvement Plan in order to give incentives which might attract and retain businesses and industries to Hanover.
4. Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
It is my understanding that there is a Recruitment Committee in place and it has been around for quite a long time. Our doctors play a key role in recruiting new doctors to our hospital. Hanover Hospital is a teaching hospital and that is an attractive feature for medical students. One role that the municipality has played in the past occurred in
2002 with the building of the Hanover Medical Clinic. In fact, even today it is an incentive for bringing in new doctors and other health care workers. I am in full support of continuing this program.
Recruitment teams have achieved much success in bringing significant health care providers to Hanover and District Hospital through techniques such as tours, interviews and holding social events with current staff.
On a personal note, I am so proud of the fact that my former students, Dr. Montag, Dr. Kieffer, Dr. White and Dr. Eckensweiler have all come back to this area to set up their practices in Hanover.
5. Do you feel Hanover needs to acquire more land in order to grow?
Yes, this is our biggest challenge. We are quickly running out of land for both residential and commercial uses. Hanover has missed many opportunities to bring good paying jobs to our area because of lack of
industrial land. Sadly, there have been countless efforts and time spent over the years trying to arrive at an agreement that would be satisfactory and beneficial to both Hanover and West Grey.
Grey County recognizes how critical Hanover’s growth is to the success of the whole area and they have attempted to assist in these negotiations, but the results to date have been disappointing. The limited work that has been accomplished with West Grey, as well as the challenges that Grey County has faced in trying to negotiate an
agreement, leaves me to believe that there is no choice but to obtain Provincial approval in order to expand Hanover’s boundaries, accommodating needed employment and residential land.