1) Why are you running?
I have served the citizens of Owen Sound as a Councillor for 2 terms and am seeking a 3rd term as Councillor. My employment experience was as Deputy Clerk and City Clerk for 26 years with the City of Owen Sound. Helping the citizens of Owen Sound has been a lifelong career for me and I wish to continue to do so to the best of my abilities. Experience has taught me that people want to know why things are done the way they are and I will continue to seek answers to the questions. I have volunteered with many charitable organizations in the community to which I am proud to have served. I feel I can make a difference at the Council table because of my experience, passion and commitment to my community.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
Municipalities can ease the financial burden of multiple issues that affect not only our municipality but other by partnerships to provide required services. We can lobby the Provincial and Federal governments for support in areas where there is granting available for projects. We can look at municipal spending and focus our attention toward hard services that need our immediate attention. I will continue to advocate for reasonable tax rates and water rates. I know analysis is part of making a municipality progressive. However, too many studies at a time when we need to be fiscally responsible and address our financial concerns to areas where they are absolutely necessary is required.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Economic viability is a difficult topic given our reduction in industry over the past years. I believe we need to focus on industries such as the hospital which is one our largest employers and Georgian College programs which will enhance the trades industry and create jobs for those entering the various fields. We need to continue to make our municipality a destination to attract individuals who can “work from home” or create a larger technology network with enhancements to our high-speed internet services. Owen Sound should continue to boast its “lifestyle choice” and attract individuals who not only enjoy our leisure activities but also our “natural scenic” amenities here and in the surrounding areas.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes, if we are in a crisis, we need assistance from our Provincial leadership to seek out family physicians. I realize “family practice” is not as attractive to physicians as “specialized services” are and this is one of the reasons there are not enough family physicians. In the past we had a Physician Recruitment Committee which was headed up by a very capable and experienced community individual who worked with the city toward attracting physicians and I believe we need to revive this committee as once again we are heading into an area that is under serviced. The City had set aside funds in the past in a reserve account to this attraction venture and may once again need to revive this.
5) What steps could municipalities take to help get more housing built that you support?
We need to continue to work with the other levels of government to seek granting toward housing needs in our community. Continuing to work with the County of Grey on affordable and attainable housing by providing land and reduced or no development fees for these types of developments is necessary to meet the needs of individuals in our community. We have a successful non-profit housing initiative that is currently being worked on with the County of Grey and we must continue with this work. As an example, Social Services is funded by the upper tier (County of Grey) level and we, as a municipality, can assist with providing land for non-profit housing developments (as we have done in the past). We can work with developers to continue with reduced fees on affordable housing needs, as we now do with “purpose-built” housing. I agree that we continue to work with Grey County on meeting the needs of homelessness in our community. However, it takes all levels of government to assist with such issues that are not only unique to our municipality but to all urban municipalities. Homeless people are attracted to urban municipalities because of the services offered.
6) Should the city do more to regulate short-term rentals, such as AirBNBs?
My stand on short term rentals is that there should be some type of accommodation tax to the municipality for these types of units. Ideally there should be a business licence required as there is for home occupation Bed and Breakfast units. Also, there should be a limit on the number of bedrooms or maximum number of temporary residents that could be allowed at one location. If there is a disturbance reported at the short term rental there should be a fine incurred to the owner. We need to have some rules in place for short term rentals.