1) Why are you running?
I enjoy public service. I am currently a high school teacher and volunteer fireman. Georgian Bluffs is beautiful, I want to see it prosper in a way that protects its natural beauty. I am motivated to exercise my civic duty to represent my community in public office. When I was 13 years old my friends and I wrote a letter to a city councillor in Toronto and they built a skateboard park because we showed a demand for it. It was a rewarding feeling, it paved the way for my love for teaching and volunteering.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to east cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
Georgian Bluffs has the lowest tax rate of all the surrounding municipalities. As we look at expanded services that save people money and improve their standards of living we need to maintain a balance of services and taxes to lessen the burden on our constituents. I will be ever vigilant for the potential of improved efficiencies to save money and making the right choices in our budget to keep the costs and our taxes low. The cost of living increases also effects the running of the municipality and there may some difficult choices ahead. We need to be prepared for the wide range of grants available from the Provincial and the Federal governments that can improve our community with little financial commitment on our part such as over a million dollars for the Kemble Arena upgrade.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Encouraging business is important. The more businesses we can have the longer and more frequently people will want to stay here. We really benefit from the tourism. Having incentives for businesses would be great. The film industry could also take off here. I know that five or six films have been shot in Rockford at Moreland Place and other properties around the area. I think this sort of exposure is great for our beautiful township and really could pay off by creating a new industry which has the potential to thrive.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
I do. I believe all levels of government do. Health care in our Province is in a crisis. I know a few doctors nurses and other hospital staff that talk about burn out and not being able to have any life outside work from all the extra hours they are putting in. We have to get creative with what we can do to bring more of these professionals. Georgian Bluffs needs to recommit to helping the Physician Recruitment Committee that was very successful in bringing new doctors here before the pandemic. We need to partner with adjoining municipalities to determine the best ways of attracting physicians and supporting them once they are showing interest to help them establish their practices here. There also needs to be a focus on recruitment of nurses and PSWs.
5) Should the township pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
I believe they should. We are stronger in numbers. We already do in the fire service and it works excellent. If we need a ladder truck. We call on Owen Sound. If they need a tanker of water they may call on us. We pool our resources so that we all can benefit from them. It’s called being a good neighbour. You might need a wheelbarrow today from your neighbour. And tomorrow they might need your ladder. These relationships are what make strong communities.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Georgian Bluffs to tackle during the next term?
I believe that it doesn’t matter what I think is the top priority. It is what the constituents believe is the top priority. For some residents it’s the air bnb next door that is a non stop party for July and August. For the residents of Potawatomi it is the fact that they haven’t had good quality water for 20 years. It could be the hiker that doesn’t want to fall into a rut filled with water on a provincially controlled trail. It’s the all terrain vehicle enthusiast who thinks that the trails were so much better 10 years ago. It could be what we plan on doing with the land between the shoreline and the road which some of our residents would like to develop and build on despite there being a potential land claim on.
Our residents voices are top priority. And as cliche as that answer is going to be, this is my answer.