1) Why are you running?
I believe in progress and preservation.
We can have growth, but we must protect the natural beauty that draws us here.
I have worked on our beaches, parks, and public spaces, I am passionate about protecting our natural assets and retaining our town character.
The first priority is replanting Maple trees in Port Elgin Ward.
I want to change 2 parks from being cut lawns to areas with playgrounds, some natural areas with native flowers and vegetation, and some treed areas for those that seek the shade. I also want to make the Shipley Trail and Beiner Tract and Woodland Trail into a “linear park”.
It needs to be permanently protected, and some trails need enhancing.
We have an affordable housing crisis. Any solution to our affordable housing crisis will be a local community solution. I propose building perpetually affordable townhomes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. We have the land, a willing partner, and a supportive community, together we can improve housing in Saugeen Shores.
I have two terms of municipal experience, focused on Public Works, water services, and other infrastructure. I have over 20 years of experience in the tourist and contracting industry, so I understand the challenges facing main street Saugeen Shores.
My 22 year teaching career demonstrates that I am innovative and I have a history of working for our common good.
I wish to continue serving Saugeen Shores as a councilor now.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Cost of living and inflation are affecting us all, including Municipal governments. Municipal governments should commit to holding the line on tax increases, perhaps to 1 or 2%, for a 3 year period. This would give ratepayers some certainty about their housing costs during this economically bumpy time.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
With the lowest unemployment rate in Ontario, Saugeen Shores needs a strategy to attract employees.
We need ways to engage and retain our youth, stop the ‘out migration”, and direct them to the good jobs that are available in Saugeen Shores.
I propose annual job fairs to connect youth to apprenticeship and other options that are available in our community.
We also need a “launch Pad” type initiative, like the one in Hanover.
5) What are your views on the revitalization of Port Elgin’s waterfront?
I have had a consistent stand on the “Cedar Crescent Village” also known as the CCV.
I am in favour of a nice restaurant with patios, some tourist and rental shops to enhance our beachfront.
We ended up with something much larger, which is the main complaint by those that oppose the project.
Compromises have been, the development has a smaller footprint now, it’s away from the waterfront.
Pragmatically, I do not think that the next council will have a lot of say about the beachfront development.
The lease is signed and approvals are moving ahead.
It is time to move on, it is in all our interest for this development to be successful, and I hope it is.
The issue with the beach development is a communication issue.
I have worked on several Town projects that have had more public input and consultation than this project has, even though they were smaller and less consequential. Had more effort been put into communication and consultation, many of the hard feelings surrounding the beach development could have been avoided.
Going forward, I will seek broad public input in my initiatives.
6) How would you propose the town manage its projected growth over the next 10 to 20 years?
I believe in progress and preservation.
We can have growth, but we must protect the natural beauty that draws us here. New neighbourhoods need to have green spaces, and not cash in lieu of green spaces. Development has to include everyone. Development must include affordable rentals and affordable homes. Any solution to our housing crisis will be a local community solution.
I propose building perpetually affordable townhomes with Habitat for Humanity. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, there are many communities that have had success with affordable housing. We have the land, we have a willing partner, the council needs to take action to make it a reality.