1) Why are you running?
In short, I care about my home, South Bruce and all the outlying settlements that give our municipality its distinct nature. I would like to be one of a new council with fresh eyes that will put taxpayers first and will open the gates of communication between council and its residents – youth to retirees, volunteer groups and businesses. A lot of what we do depends on a consolidated effort. I am disheartened to see the friction that this nuclear waste issue is presently causing. How can we build-up a community when it has regressed to the point where people are divided and not speaking to one another? I aspire to be one of six, like-minded candidates -Rita Groen, Sandy Bunker, Gord Ripley, Michelle Stein, and Audrey Bross (acclaimed) who agree to hold a referendum on whether we accept nuclear waste or not, as soon as possible. We need to know the path to follow, so we can plan accordingly and get back to building on the strengths of the people -a community with a common goal.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
Our cost of living has risen significantly. Although much of this is beyond the influence of a Municipal Council, it is possible to reduce property tax increases by spreading the expense of maintaining and improving infrastructure and public buildings over a larger tax base -increased economic development.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
We need a plan to attract, promote and support the economic backbone that has served us well -a diversity of skilled trades, small business, manufacturing, and agriculture-related processing facilities. With the advent of Covid, many employees now work from home. We can take advantage of this trend by promoting an attractive rural atmosphere and make residential building lots available in all areas and settlements of South Bruce. Council can also look at ways to stretch the tax payer’s dollar by looking at innovative ways to reduce expenses. As the baby-boomer generation leaves the workforce there will be even greater need for employees. We should provide amenities like daycare and recreational activities to promote South Bruce as an inviting place for employees to raise a family and as an attractive retirement destination.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
There will be an ever-increasing demand for health services. We need to adjust our doctor and nurse recruitment plans accordingly. The Medical Center in Mildmay and the proposed center for Teeswater will go far in fulfilling the goal of having in place the medical services we desire.
5) What is your view on South Bruce being a potential host municipality for a deep geologic repository to store spent nuclear fuel?
This unprecedented idea to have all past, future, and other provinces, high-level nuclear waste buried within our municipal borders has stirred a heated debate. Personally, I have looked at this proposal from every angle and can find no sustaining long-term benefits. A vote in favour, is a forever verdict. Future generations will hold us accountable. There is much to consider -risk, stigma, societal impacts, reduced economic diversity, health, and the environmental concerns of boring huge shafts through our extensive aquifer and burying beneath it, 70,000+ tons of high-level radioactive waste. Should that aquifer ever befall the consequences of threat, either natural, accidental or by human means, it would be forever spoiled. There must be a better way of dealing with it. Entertaining this proposal, in my mind, is a desperate measure not in keeping with the hopeful community I have grown to know. I am confident we have the fortitude and resourcefulness to thrive without it and without the uncertainty and risk it entails. If I am elected, I will put forth a motion to hold a referendum on this issue as soon as possible.