Like many of our local residents, Rory recognizes there is room for improving our Council’s conduct, effectiveness, and accountability. Our residents deserve leadership that cares about their social, economic, and environmental well being. If elected, Rory will champion making municipal life more affordable and accessible to all, connecting our residents to local family doctors, and maintaining and protecting our many wonderful beaches, trees, trails, and parks. Rory believes in working together, celebrating diverse viewpoints, treating others with respect, and providing quality, sustainable services to our community.2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Be they individuals, seniors or families – everyone requires safe, secure, affordable housing. Rory advocates for the Municipality of Kincardine to increase the available housing supply by focusing on creating affordable options for first time home buyers, renters, and seniors without destroying the feel and character of existing neighbourhoods. Rory supports the construction of Additional Residential Units – self-contained residences with kitchen and bathroom facilities, on a property already containing a single-detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse. The municipality needs to plan and build towards complete communities by improving our community cores, tending to greenspaces, and promoting walkable mixed-use neighborhoods. This supports local businesses, retains community character and encourages alternative means of transportation.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Economic development comes hand in hand with residential housing growth. As population increases, consumer demand for goods and services does too. It is the role of the municipality to ensure that the infrastructure exists so that our community can rise to meet those demands.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Having moved to the municipality in 2018 with his wife, Dr. Angela Cavanagh, to establish her family medical practice – Rory knows firsthand the critical role the municipality plays in the recruitment and retention of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health, and addiction professionals. We do this by improving our reputation and standing in the medical community, improving our medical facilities, and by connecting, mentoring, and supporting local students who are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.
5) What would you like to see in Kincardine for growth-related
development?
Our community is growing. We need residential housing that is safe, secure, and affordable. We need to scale the capacity (or construct new) schools, recreational programs and facilities and improve our healthcare services. Rory advocates for planning for a successful future by focusing on complete, walkable, communities where possible.
6) What would you like to see included in the Waterfront Master Plan?
Our community is home to beautiful beaches, pretty parks and wonderful walking trails – all of which offer a wide range of social, environmental, recreational, and economic benefits to our residents. As the Municipality of Kincardine continues to grow, so does the demand for increased access to these spaces and opportunities. Foremost, Rory advocates for the need to maintain natural assets and community facilities by keeping them clean, safe, accessible, and enjoyable by everyone. Rory also has an interest in the expansion of the current Master Plan, to include all the waterfront in our municipality. Many residents feel the “Kincardine Waterfront Master Plan” was misnamed. This is because the scope of this plan only includes the most downtown beaches and waterfront and does not include either the entire Town of Kincardine waterfront, nor the entire Municipality of Kincardine waterfront. Such actions, whether intentional or not, contribute to resident feelings of inequity between our three wards.