1) Why are you running?
As someone who is newer to Southgate I’ve had the chance to speak with a lot of people in the municipality and they’ve raised a number of concerns and highlighted a lot of great things about living and doing business in Southgate. I do not pretend to know everything and so my purpose for running is to listen to concerns so we as a council can take action.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Housing, food, and other costs don’t stop at municipal boundaries. We need to work with our partners across Grey County to have a bigger voice that will make the Province listen to us.
Aside from that, bringing as many opportunities for people to live and work in Southgate is a strong way to help ease the rising costs. That way we’re not having to spend as much on gas for commuting, and our dollars go back into the community to help make Southgate even stronger.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
As a business owner for over 20 years I understand how important it is to have local businesses thriving in a community. We need to try some new and innovative approaches to help not just the 9-5 businesses but also to bring options for the evening as well.
Some specific ideas:
- continued meetings with the business association
- Specific promotion campaigns based on the strengths Southgate has to offer
- Ensuring the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning allow for ample opportunities for people to set up and operate businesses without unnecessary red tape
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
I believe that municipalities can be great partners and allies in this type of effort but are likely not going to be the deciding factor for whether doctors decide to come here. Working with community organizations and the health care system, we can highlight the benefits of our Township and surrounding area in a big picture way, especially focusing on the high quality of life.
5) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Southgate to tackle during the next term?
With growth pressures increasing, it will be important for Southgate to make sure that growth pays for growth so the Township isn’t jeopardizing its finances to cater to developers. Finding ways to embrace the uniqueness of our communities and ensure they each get a fair allocation of funds and services is top of mind for me as well. The urban, rural, and agricultural areas each have lots to offer. Ensuring we continue to invest in hard infrastructure like roads and water/wastewater so that these services run smoothly is also very important.