1) Why are you running?
I respect hard-earned tax dollars. I believe in reading and making inquiries to understand the BIG picture. I remain dedicated to working hard for our community, by paying attention to each detail and advocating for West Grey’s best interests! By working with residents and staff through budgeting needs of asset management, we can build for the current and future needs! Taxpayers, staff, and council engaging in meaningful and productive discussions related to budgets, landfills, bridges & buildings will be important to establishing needs and budgeting accordingly. I am prepared to bring motions to council for deliberating and to decide, as council, What is best for West Grey! I have engaged the community and will continue to listen and make informed decisive decisions with the next council. I am a university graduate in Political Science, with a minor in International Affairs from the University of Waterloo. I have been a West Grey Council member since 2016. I am a law clerk.
2)Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
West Grey council can ease the cost of living through fiscal responsibility, reviewing our costs and fees, planning affordable budgets. Through the completion of our official plan and our zoning bylaw amendment, the results should prove cost savings through the reduction of bylaws that do not suit West Grey any longer. Two examples of ways that West Grey can and should consider easing the cost of living: By increasing the maximum sq footage of an accessory building. By reducing the size of a single family home to less than 1000 sq ft. By allowing secondary or additional dwelling units in appropriate single-family, semi- or rural properties allowing for secondary homes, where services are available. With predictable planning in place, owners and builders can move projects forward in a timely manner. Through partnerships with Grey County we can engage our partner Grey County Social Services, Grey County Transit.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Neustadt Downtown businesses, Durham BIA, Chambers of Commerce, Saugeen Economic Development, and farms, working together with synergy, on results of gaps in our commercial goods and services. Supporting all entrepreneurs through zoning, licensing. By reviewing our Official Plan and Zoning Bylaws we will be making it easier for landowners to understand the best location to support their businesses. West Grey Council has supported the Hawk’s Nest, a business competition through Saugeen Economic Development. In this last term of council, Grey County and West Grey supported abandoning the Vacant Commercial Tax Rebate. There was a tax reduction if your commercial space was vacant. We as council wanted to support businesses’, not give a tax break to those with no business activity in the commercial space. West Grey has invested in a local Community Improvement Program that has yielded results, with a primary focus on downtown areas. West Grey could present a Win this Space competition for best business plan and is rewarded with a downtown storefront, budgeted through economic development budget or in partnership. West Grey could continue the success of previous “trail” ideas. Maple Syrup trail, Saints and Sinners tour through Grey County. This idea could be expanded.
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 could include a link to the hospital on our website. West Grey can advocate for our local hospital through our MPP, and Minister of Health to discuss opportunities of paying Nurse Practitioners from the Ministry of Health. We can advocate to the Minister of Colleges regarding increasing the number of doctors who are able to enter medical schools. We can encourage our local doctors to train up and coming doctors through residency programs. We are down 3 doctors in Durham Hospital. When and where virtual medicine is possible, this service should be advocated to be paid for by the Ministry of Health. Through further partnering West Grey through the South Bruce Grey Health Centre Network can work towards becoming a resident within the network. We as West Grey community can always advocate and be ambassadors of West Grey. We need a welcoming open community that invites people to come and assist! Encouraging students in our communities to seek out these respectable careers and advocating for their return to the area post grad, could be through an incentive program. I believe West Grey will Welcome doctors and nurses and support/retain the Grey’t ones we have!!!
5) What is your vision for the future of police services in West Grey?
My vision for Policing in West Grey having responsive reliable service and law enforcement ambassadors!! A force that doesn’t allow the police logo to be used in any way that causes confusion or public safety concerns. I would envision a police service board being more reliable and responsive to the concerns by their council and community regarding business plan, levels of service, or budget. The public input for the policing survey conducted by MNP Consulting will occur soon. Stay tuned to The Municipality of West Grey website. I will continue to advocate to council that we consider the size, use and cost of the new building. The building will have a significant cost impact in capital budgeting, thus increasing taxes. Future policing would implement the essence of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. This plan is a shift of resources upstream and have non-police, professional skilled partners assisting our community in the identified need areas. When we get our community the right services our residents need, the outcomes are solving the problem with the right tools. West Grey Council continues to partner with Grey County Social Services and get the right services in our community.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for West Grey to tackle during the next term?
Council must work to build our community for the future through responsible budget prioritization. Appropriately funding Asset Management Plan equates to maintaining what we already have. We have several bridges that need attention (as I write this response, Traverston Bridge must be closed to all public access due to concerns that the bridge could collapse in on itself just by the dead weight of the bridge alone due to extensive corrosion and loss of structural integrity). We will need to make improvements to the Durham and Neustadt water and wastewater systems. The improvements will be paid for by the water sewer users.
The level of services will be required to prepare for the many pressures in budgets.
The police discussion continues (2023 West Grey budget increase proposed 2.6%).
Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority budget increases (2023 budget increase proposed 11%).
I support a deep dive into what levels of service and capital projects are in the best interest of the public.
I support working with our neighbour municipalities on shared service agreements.
Let’s work together, let’s talk, let’s make it happen! Keep considering what is best for West Grey!