1) Why are you running?
I’m running for re-election as West Grey councillor for a third term. I’ve lived in West Grey for over 30 years and raised my family here. I strongly believe a local government that is responsible and caring can have a real impact on people’s lives, preserving valued traditions while responding to new challenges. I want to support a rational, sensible, and collaborative path forward. As a current councillor I work hard, I’m respectful of my colleagues, and I remain open to persuasion. I have a great track record of returning emails, phone calls, meeting in person, and advocating for citizens. Council will face challenges, both predictable and unpredictable. We will also experience opportunities. For example, West Grey was able to support a new affordable housing project recently led by Grey County. We should consider further partnering with the County to establish more attainable housing on their newly acquired property (20 acres!) surrounding the Rockwood Terrace redevelopment. Community engagement is central to my vision for local government. I successfully advocated for council meetings to take place in all the community halls across West Grey, before Covid forced us to go online. I believe public meetings on important issues should be the norm. Council should also be proactive in communicating important information with the community, online but also in print.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
West Grey could reduce the inflation burden on residents by lowering some of its fees (bag tags, recreation programs) or by reducing taxes. Unfortunately, this would be accompanied by a reduction of services and support. For years our municipality has tried to practice austerity, increasing taxes by the bare minimum, and cutting investment in crucial infrastructure like bridges; so much so that we had four bridge closures under emergency conditions in the past few years. This is not the economic climate to start discussing an indoor pool or a second ice pad at the arena. Fortunately, we have stabilized investment in bridges over the past term while balancing the budget and maintaining a healthy financial reserve. It’s also important to remember that cost of living increases hit our financially vulnerable residents hardest. People who are paying more than 30% of their income for housing will find it harder to make ends meet. We have tried to encourage a “living wage” in West Grey: a pay rate that provides what is required to subsist within our community.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
West Grey’s Economic Development Committee has adopted some measures to make our downtown areas more attractive. As part of that I was recently able to leverage the Community Improvement Plan grants to support several businesses in removing out-of-date signs in our urban centres. The Saugeen Business Development Corporation in Neustadt, the Durham BIA and the West Grey Chamber all play an important role in coordinating business-friendly initiatives. But there is no magic wand for making a particular community more appealing to businesses or investors. One real effort we could apply to economic development is sales! Our mayor (and the rest of council) must be continually promoting West Grey to investors, businesspeople, and prospective residents. Word of mouth, enthusiasm, knowledge, and networking are the keys to building opportunities and attracting partners.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes! West Grey already contributes to healthcare in our community and prioritizing doctor recruitment makes sense. The Durham Hospital Foundation led by Anne Marie Watson is working hard to recruit more doctors to our area. We provide financial support to the Foundation specifically to assist in that effort. But perhaps we could do more. Many neighbouring towns have their own doctor recruitment initiatives. We should consider emulating the ones that are the most successful.
5) What is your vision for the future of police services in West Grey?
Policing is one of our largest and fastest growing cost centres. In just 4 years, the cost of West Grey Police Services (WGPS) has risen over 30% - from about $3 million annually to over $4 million now. WGPS requires a new police station which will cost over $10 million and have a 30-year mortgage. The police board (which I sit on) has resisted efforts by council to explore cost savings, boxing council into a corner. In an effort to gather as much information about policing as possible council asked the OPP to provide an alternative scenario and budget. That proposal is currently under review. We expect to see 15-year projections, based on real data from other communities, comparing WGPS and OPP costs and service levels. If we stay with our current service, we will need to resume work on the new police building right away. I’d like to know, if a future council ever decides to switch to OPP, would that building be suitable for their use, or would it become a white elephant? Many residents like having our own police service and think they are doing an excellent job! In the new term of council, we will have the answers to many of these questions and the results of a community-wide survey. With this information collected, I think we should follow the wishes of the citizens!
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for West Grey to tackle during the next term?
There will always be pressure on the municipality to balance the budget: investing adequately in infrastructure and key services while trying to keep taxes reasonable and fair. There are also bigger problems facing our community including climate change, drug use and rising housing costs. There are some that say that these problems are too big for a single municipality and should be left to other orders of government to address. But these are all our problems and we must work with everyone, including the citizens, to move forward. In fact, West Grey has been a leader in the county, developing a climate action plan which will lower our emissions and increase efficiencies (saving us money!), pioneering low-carbon wooden bridges and installing electric car charging stations. We should continue to participate in the South Grey housing initiative to ensure homes are available for young families, seniors and citizens with vulnerabilities who are being squeezed out of the market by prices or policies. Going back to business-as-usual on many of these issues is not an option. These are complex conversations that we need to have. By being honest, open-minded and collaborative we can find the best path forward together.