Gerrie Huenemoerder – South Bruce Peninsula Council Candidate

I am running because my children and grandchildren live in South Bruce Peninsula and I want to be able to do my part to help them & other families inherit a great community that cares about its residents and businesses and the beautiful area we so proudly call home. Recent decisions have me concerned about the preservation of the local environment, the ability of people to able to afford to live here,  and the future of our healthcare. I believe in transparency between the town council and the residents and businesses. I believe in town hall meetings where people can discuss concerns and solutions with the council. We are all in the same community, by working together we can create a place we are happy to call home. A beautiful place where residents, business and tourism blends smoothly and everyone can respect and enjoy the natural environment of the peninsula.

2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?

South Bruce Peninsula needs more housing to be built. We need starter and retirement homes, affordable rentals, alternatives such as tiny homes, apartments in garages and prefab home communities. The municipality needs to assist developers in easing the red tape involved in building.  I believe AirBNB needs to be kept out of residential areas in towns, there by limiting the loss of family homes to vacation homes. Keeping tourism by the water and in the countryside is better than downtown Wiarton. Attracting more year round businesses such as grocery stores, clothing and necessities, having a year round farmers market available may also reduce the cost of the necessities of life.

and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers? Absolutely the municipality plays a major role. They should be offering potential healthcare workers and physicians grant money or subsidies to locate an office in the area and stay for a prescribed number of years. The municipality has to go to The College & make proposals for new doctors. There needs to be an active walk in clinic to take the stress off the ERs. Many people with health issues don’t have a doctor & have to go to the ER once a month, wait 5-8 hours to get their prescriptions. There needs to be an alternative to this.

5) Do you support the approval of a proposed land based Fish Farm in the Wiarton area?

No, I currently do not support the approval of the proposed fish farm. I feel it will have long term effects on the environment.

6) What are your views on beach maintenance and parking in Sauble Beach?

I believe that a professional traffic specialist and environmental consulting group must be brought in and a workable plan that preserves the natural habitats of the beach while blending with recreational use be developed. One way traffic with ample parking, a dedicated walking path and crosswalks with boardwalks across the dunes to preserve the dune habitat may be a very workable solution. Looking at other beaches most have a curb installed along the beach road line that minimizes the ground blowing of sand off the beach onto the roadway. This also stops the movement of dunes.  I would welcome open conversation with other beaches especially Blue Flag beaches on their consultants and strategies. I know there are some environmental strategists living within SBP and would welcome working with them. There needs to be a plan for all the beaches in SBP not just Sauble Beach.