1) Why are you running?
I am running to keep our community prosperous and growing in the right direction
I have been a resident of Grey Highlands for 25 years and the dramatic changes we have seen even in the last few years raises many concerns.
From overdevelopment and community safety to pending erraversable changes to zoned agriculture land.
I want to see Grey Highlands grow and prosper but in a controlled and responsible manner.
Public safety goes hand in hand with development and an infrastructure to support this growth.
There seems to be concerns with transparency in some of the dealings of late and the community members want answers before deals are made that effect there lives and the future of Grey Highlands
They feel like they are not being heard by the very people that put them there.
I want to make sure Grey Highlands remains the beautiful community we all know and love with growth and prosperity.
Working in retail for the last 13 years has been eye opening to say the least COVID and price increases in every sector has changed how we view our future.
more people are looking to grow gardens and animals to support there family and the impact rising food prices are having on the lives.
I support and commend them for taking charge of there futures and wish to live in a community that supports this lifestyle.
we need to pull together as a community support local farmers and community outreach centers to ensure our residents are safe,healthy and able to support there families.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Our children can not afford to live in the community they were born in, do to housing prices. I see massive subdivisions being developed to the south of us that are simply not realistic for the average working family in Grey Highlands
These types of urban development invites outside real estate investing to flip or rent at unattainable prices
I would like to see smaller units that compliment the face of Grey Highlands and resident owned
Affordable rental units that flow with our rural settings
To keep our community members in there community working and supporting local businesses. We have an opportunity to shape the new developments.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
our down towns store fronts require a much needed facelift to entice new business
working with building owners and researching government resource to help with costs
Parking downtown is an issue for Flesherton and Markdale businesses
Our smaller hamlets are seeing increased traffic as well and require sidewalks reduced speed limits and in some cases crosswalks where schools and day care is present
Having a solid plan to draw the right business to our down town cores is key ensuring a prosperous community
We have opportunities in our community for line workers which pay fair wages medical and dental with pension insentive
the problem for most is housing costs and no rental units available.
our youth are leaving to source out an income to afford housing prices in urban areas
If we can build affordable housing to encourage growth that supports our community business and well being
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
With the new hospital in the works and the future 62 beds allotted for Grey gables along with the Grey Bruce health care unit
This will suffice for only a short time but it is inadequate With the vision of development that I feel is coming
Future growth requires better infrastructure in all areas of Grey Highlands we need to remember we are a large community encompassing Badgros singhampton Maxwell feversham Kimberly Ceylon priceville Flesherton and Markdale which all need accessibility to basic
Medical,dental and mental health needs
I believe this is a community responsibility if there is to be population growth then there will be a need for further medical services in place to support this growth.
5) What would you like to see for land development in Grey Highlands?
With the increasing pop up manufacturing hubs on our zoned agricultural land
tells me there is a need for an industrial park to accommodate the rise in manufacturing business in Grey Highlands this would provide job opportunities, business diversity health and safety controls to better our community
We need to consider our agriculture equipment when developing our infrastructure to consider the cost of fuel to bypass areas in seasons of harvest keeping fuel cost down and helping with environmental impact as Grey Highlands strive to go green
With the newest subdivision in Markdale this year we need to reassure the residents that there is a plan in place to keep there town flowing
there is a plan in place for job opportunities affordable housing health care and safety measures to meet this future growth if we are to grow we need our communities support.
I believe our escarpment should have been preserved for education and a nature reserve with sustainable development to manage our it’s fragile eco system. Encouraging tourism and promoting responsible development would have emcompassed a the community as a whole
6) What would you like to see for community safety and well-being?
With the increased traffic and the lack of cross walks and push through weekend traffic on HWY # 10 is a concern for many of our community members
Reduced speed limits in high pedestrian areas cross walks with enforced penalties
More police presence because signs don’t slow people down police presence and tickets do
Our increased horse and buggy traffic on our main HWY’s and back roads needs to be addressed lack of lights and reflectors makes this a safety concern with two fatal accident this year already.
The 18 wheel tractor trailers that we now see on our rural gravel rides are a hazard and a safety issue
Many of our back roads are created from the tree roots that were felled to build them and are not designed for these on going weights to deliver industrial widgets.
I support growth with community wellness and preservation of our natural resources
I support the communities of Grey Highlands