1) Why are you running?
As was the case with my first two Terms on Council, I am running to make a difference. There are large scale capital projects that have either been approved or on the verge of being approved and I would like to see these capital projects come to fruition. I am speaking of Lamont Sports Park which will be one the finest outdoor sports parks in all of Southwestern Ontario, our Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Bridge Replacements, Cedar Crescent Village Development at our Port Elgin Waterfront, numerous significant road re-construction projects and the impending Heritage and Cultural Study.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
As the reader of my response is aware, many of the cost of living concerns are dictated by rising gasoline prices, grocery store prices, utility costs and other rising costs created by higher levels of Government and in many cases outside municipal control. From a Municipal standpoint it is incumbent upon our Council to carefully review all Department budgets to ensure that municipal taxes are kept a low as possible. As Saugeen Shores grows from 11,500 residents dating back to the year 2000 to our projected 20,000 population by the year 2030, our costs for policing, snow plowing, parks maintenance, administration and other costs continue to rise. Striking a balance between keeping taxation in check and maintaining costs to participate at or below cost of living will always be a challenge for Municipalities.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Our current Council just approved a 4 million investment towards the development of our new INNOVATION PARK. The lands for Innovation Park were purchased back in the year 2016 from Harold Sutherland and this 50 acre parcel of land once serviced with roads, hydro, water, and sanitary, will provide lots for up to 17 new innovation businesses to set up shop here in our Community. Innovation Park is located adjacent our new 100 Acre Lamont Sports Park site off of concession 6 in behind Wal Mart and alongside our famous Saugeen Rail Trail. Our Chamber of Commerce recently announced they have added over 100 new Chamber Members over the past year which indicates that investors are choosing Saugeen Shores as their choice to set up their new business. Saugeen Shores is investing heavily in Commercial and Industrial lands and we are OPEN FOR BUSINESS and economic development. Look for some exciting announcements for newcomers to our community in 2023 and beyond.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Absolutely!!! Our community has worked diligently over the past ten years with Physician Recruitment. I was pleased and fortunate to have served on the Physician Recruitment Team for a period of 4 years and for many years I conducted ½ day Physician recruitment tours showcasing what Saugeen Shores has to offer as a healthy and vibrant community with so many attractive features. I have stated many times over my 8 year term on Saugeen Shores Council…….ONE ORPHAN patient is one patient too many and I will continue to do whatever I can to ensure that “every” resident in Saugeen Shores has a family physician. Physician recruitment is a very competitive market place, and whereas some may feel that municipalities should not have to compete with one another, the reality is every Municipality is doing their best to ensure they have ample doctor services. Nurse Practitioners are worth they weight in gold and this provides for an excellent alternative. Saugeen Shores has been successful with our Victorian Order of Nurses agreement between their organization and nurse practitioners to sign nurse practitioner agreements …. So YES… we do have a role to play with the recruitment and retention of Physicians.
5) What are your views on the revitalization of Port Elgin’s waterfront?
Take a drive past our waterfront sometime and tell my what you see? The parking lot and former tennis court/train station section of land begs improvement. I look forward to sitting on the roof top patio overlooking Lake Huron and enjoying a meal with friends and family. I support the Cedar Crescent development has been reduced in size from 33,000 square feet to under 19,000 square feet, the development has been moved from the waterfront to upland to Harbour Street ( which is still feel was a mistake for several reasons ) and Cedar Crescent Development will provide new amenities for all to enjoy. For many years, our community requested improvements to our waterfront and with investors stepping forward to make this happen, it is my belief we will see a much improved area. The Town of Saugeen Shores invested over one million dollars in upgrades to our washroom facilities and boardwalks at our Port Elgin Waterfront in addition to investing over 2 million dollars in our Break wall and pedestrian walkout and it’s time to improve our waterfront while providing additional amenities for all to enjoy. Not popular with some but I do support.
6) How would you propose the town manage its projected growth over the next 10 to 20 years?
Controlled but progressive. It is important with every development, whether it be commercial or residential that every effort be made to provide parklands and tree canopies. It’s important to protect our Agricultural lands and prior to expanding our settlement areas in to agricultural, it’s important to take inventory of our buildout. Growth brings new costs including expansions to our water and sewage plants, new roads to plow and new demands for grass cutting and administration costs. But new growth also brings new opportunities created from new assessment and new tax dollars which allows for investments in things like new ball parks, playgrounds, trails, new pool and wellness centre and hopefully soon, renovations to our Southampton Town Hall. Being a nuclear town and with the 12 Million Dollar refurbishment funding announcement, growth is inevitable. Saugeen Shores will grow to 20,000 by the year 2030 and as your Vice Deputy Mayor I will continue to make informed decisions that are beneficial to the broader community. The secret to any vibrant community is to provide well balanced services and facilities for all and to ensure our community is kept safe by the best Police Force and Volunteer Fire Department in all of Ontario.