1) Why are you running?
I am honoured to have been a Councillor in Georgian Bluffs for the past 5 terms. It has been a pleasure advocating for the ratepayers in the community.
I am running because I love being part of community growth and I enjoy the aspect of gathering all of the perspectives from ratepayers, professional staff and other community members before making a decision.
I love the impromptu conversations I have with community members about what matters to people and the community
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
I think we need to continue planned growth and seeking efficiencies to make sure that our tax rate remains among the lowest in Grey/Bruce Counties.
Prices for supplies and services have skyrocketed. We need to continue to seek efficiencies by partnering with other municipalities to find economies of scale.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
I think we need to reach out to businesses in our community and ask them how we can support them as we come out of the pandemic that has crippled our economy.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
I have been on the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee for over 15 years. We need to continue to find ways to recruit and retain physicians. This is very important.
5) Should the township pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
It is critical to continue to find effective partnerships with neighbouring municipalities. As prices for services and supplies continue to climb, we need to partner to find economies of scale.
There are also other opportunities for us to engage our partners in shared service efficiencies. Water agreements, shared recreation agreements and shared services are good examples.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Georgian Bluffs to tackle during the next term?
One of the two greatest concerns for the municipality in the next term is resolving our bio-digestor challenge and facing climate change head on.
To address climate change, we need to apply a climate lens to all decision making to ensure that we are reducing our carbon footprint, ensuring protection of green spaces and making environmentally sustainable practices a priority.
The current bio-digestor agreement and operation is too expensive for a small rural municipality to absorb. We need to download the cost sharing to a County operation or find a private enterprise who is willing to fun the operating by lease or purchase.