1) Why are you running?
Running for Council is the natural progression of a working career that spans over 40 years. Geography and Environmental Studies were a focus in post-secondary studies and I worked with the Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources for 3 summers. My career in education involved teaching, representing teachers as District President OSSTF and as an Administrator in the Peel District School Board. Once “retired” from education, I ran a consulting business with my wife focusing on understanding diversity, improving communication in businesses and carrying out the AODA legislation. I have a history of volunteer service in this community where we have lived for 21 years. Work as President of Beaver Valley Ratepayers Association, member and Vice President of the Kimberley Community Association, Landfill Operations Task Force, Chair of the Council Remuneration Task Force and Board member of The Friends of the Kimberley Forest were and are very satisfying. I want to be a more significant part of the decisions for changes and growth coming to the rural and urban communities in Grey Highlands. I want to help provide the direction and focus to achieve our goals of moving forward and being accountable to the residents of the Municipality.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Inflation and the increase in cost of living will make the 2023 Grey Highlands budget a difficult discussion. Being responsible and accountable to the residents involves setting a budget that continues to:
- provide essential and expected services
- encourage growth as described in the official and strategic plans
- increase revenue for example by ensuring charges cover the cost of development
- look for opportunities to partner with surrounding municipalities reducing costs
- take advantage of grant programs from the Federal and Provincial governments
We also must start to mandate that new housing includes attainable/affordable units, especially in the rental market that will give seniors and working families’ places to live locally.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Economic development involves supporting existing business and attracting new ones so that residents have locations to work. Visitors and residents should be encouraged to shop locally. The Chamber of Commerce already does some of this and encouraging Business Improvement Associations can focus some of the effort. The Municipal Economic and Community Development team has been working hard to attract new development, investments, and opportunities to the Municipality of Grey Highlands. This includes the revitalization of store fronts and entrances, planning to make historical buildings more accessible for an aging population. The Re Imagine visioning process received good advice from residents and business owners on what they recommend as important in their community. We must not forget that some manufacturing businesses require larger buildings and more efficient links to transportation. A serviced industrial park with paved transportation links can reduce the pressure on the gravel roads and helps to keep a rural environment that way. A reason to be here includes an emphasis on boosting tourism by focusing on the history, geography and the beauty of the natural environment. This completes the package as people stop and explore what Grey Highlands has to offer.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Attracting medical staff (doctors, nurses, healthcare workers) has been difficult over the years. This more so in rural areas which is why municipalities and other communities usually have recruitment committees. An advantage that Grey Highlands now has is the success of the work that all groups achieved in getting approval for a new hospital facility in Markdale. Just as we have seen all walks of people wanting to escape the city, medical professionals are doing the same. A doctor that I saw in Owen Sound recently moved from London, Ontario and, as he said it, he wanted his family to be closer to the outdoors that they love. What might help people making these decisions is to have a “professional building” available for them to rent space and run their practice.
5) What would you like to see for land development in Grey Highlands?
Land development is a change that must respect the character and look of the existing community. This development will be residential, office and light manufacturing/industrial. To preserve the rural character of the Municipality, I believe that the locations should primarily be in or around existing town areas. The planning process should include items like:
- environmental sustainability,
- a recognition that climate change is here
- mixed housing types including rental, co-op, ownership units and bungalows with minimal stairs for an aging population
- new neighbourhoods that are built for people and include walking/biking paths, sidewalks, green space and plans for trees and other landscaping
Development in a town should include off street parking to allow better access to stores in the core area.
6) What would you like to see for community safety and well-being?
Community Safety is an ongoing issue in Grey Highlands. Major roads running through rural communities face increasing traffic volume from urban centers to the south as a minority of commuters who are in a hurry, don’t respect the law or common sense and want to pass everything ahead of them. Modern farm tractors are larger, wider and don’t go quickly especially towing other equipment or harvested loads. Wide turns or left turns into driveways often surprise urban drivers.
As a Councillor, I would support a Road Safety Audit that gathers accident data from the OPP. As well, the transportation/roads departments of both Grey Highlands and Grey County must have accident data, both statistical and anecdotal, to identify if it was related to a road design problem or driver error/negligence. We have to be proactive so that people can be safe everywhere in Grey Highlands. Solutions include education and warnings through signage, traffic calming measures like traffic islands and reducing speed in towns to 40 kph. Additional police enforcement may have to become part of an expense that is borne by the Province and residents.