1) Why are you running?
Council needs to work as a team to manage existing services efficiently while working at the County and Provincial levels to increase our share of services, grants, and other revenues. We have the resources and staff to make good things happen. In my career in administration and in my previous terms on Council I always worked towards a balance between current and future services. The next Council will make decisions that will set e direction for the future. I would like to be part of that team. I think my background and experience can be as useful contribution towards making good decisions.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
I am not sure there are policies which our municipality can take that would ease cost of living concerns. We can manage efficiently, plan for future developments and be ready to take advantage of any grants or programs which ease the burden locally.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
There are some programs which could be explored that would increase certain activities – i.e., a focus on winter tourism or programs to attract new industry to the area. The growing work-from-home movement has potential to grow our year-round economy. But the real need is to develop the policies that support year-round employment. That means looking at the services, infrastructure, housing – any activity that build a complete community. As outlined in Question 5, the essential step is to make sure services are available to support whatever growth is planned.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes, municipalities do have a role. Most already have a committee to organize this work. Our municipality, as have others, have used tax dollars support key projects. Both of these activities should continue. Given the current shortage in health care workers, it may be time to look at recruitment of a health care workers beyond physicians. Hopefully, municipalities in the Grey-Bruce area will find a way to cooperate rather than compete for people.
5) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Northern Bruce Peninsula to tackle during the next term?
The top need for Northern Bruce Peninsula is to determine how to fund the water, sewer, and transportation needs. Roads are a large part of the capital and operating budget – but essential to maintain. Increasingly water and sewers for Lion’s Head and Tobermory are becoming important if we are to create the type of housing we need, to accommodate tourism, and to ensure the availability of services such as clinics, schools, long term care and recreation facilities. However, water and wastewater solutions in the hamlets, where there are clusters of homes must also be considered in any Master Infrastructure Service Plan
6) What steps could municipalities take to help get more housing built that you support?
The municipality completed an Attainable Housing Strategy The report looked at needs and issues, approaches to resolving the gaps in housing and provided recommendation for the new Council to consider. The recommendations identified development charges, organizational structure, revenue sources, housing types and sizes and service standards. The report is a good beginning as it documents the problems with current numbers and outlines the strategies available. The new Council will need to review that report and determine which of the recommendations can be actively pursued in the next four years.