1) Why are you running?
I was in the regular army for a few years in the army reserves and a police officer when I moved here 21 years ago. It was very easy to be angry about our taxes, which were the highest in the Province. They are not the highest in the Province anymore, but we don’t even have a policing contract. Now my water bill is the highest of my bills. The garbage bag tags, where garbage pick up was weekly and free. Now it is bi-weekly and cost 4 dollars per sticker. I am retired from all of my obligations, I even am no longer serving with St John Ambulance, or 1st VP with the legion. I am free to serve you.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
You are jerking at my heart strings with this question. The federal government is looking to inquire about greedy corporations. The municipalities can cooperate. We can sit back and let this occur. We can actively lobby the government to show our support, or offer new places where corporate greed might be lurking. We can show our disdain for the war in the Ukraine. We can actively state that that in this global economy we are in, that one war can can cause this.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Wow. Good question. We have an official plan that we have to adhere too. Within that plan I believe we can break down each item and figure out the costs long and short term, fiscally and morally.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
In a word, “Yes.” I think the municipality should contact universities and anywhere these people are, and give a schpeal that can motivate anyone to come and work in this municipality. He or she must be an appropriate sales person assigned to to the task of recruiting. We are, in fact, selling this municipality to them.
5) Should the municipality pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
That is something that ties in with your Q3 for me. I believe municipalities should look at this. I believe buying some of those services might be better, like Meaford owns (I believe) 1/4 of the Inter Township Fire Department. I also believe that referendums, votes of the people, are the way to go. It isn’t just my contract, it is the rate payers contract.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Meaford to tackle during the next term?
I believe that development is the biggest concern. I believe it should have costs attached. The water treatment plant in Meaford is at capacity. Any cost to expand it or replace it should be at the expense of the developers. They will download the cost to their buyers, I really don’t care, it won’t be to the current Rate Payers. They want to house maximum people in minimal space to optimise their costs. I believe that many of the roads can’t handle the added impact of machines and cars. That too should be cost back to the developer. The TCE project is on federal land and the decision of the federal government alone, but I believe we should have a collective view, can lobby the government about it, and By-Law the crap out of it.