I have a passion to see our community rise to its fullest potential. There is important work in attracting major new investments to the community; to improve the quality of life for residents; to ensure that our critical infrastructure needs are met; to control taxes and spending. For the first time in history we have an A+ credit rating.
Just no time for “on the job” training.
The role of leadership is to steer the course. My platform will focus upon diversifying and attracting new investment to Chatham-Kent, while maintaining an emphasis on assisting existing businesses to grow.
New investment along with controlling expenditures is the only way to alleviate the tax burden on residents. Economic growth is a key ingredient in controlling taxes.
During my tenure there have seen a number of new commercial and industrial investments resulting in new employment. Last year alone we attracted 11 new companies to the community. These companies decided to grow and call Chatham-Kent home and now employ 500 people.
I will work to enhance the quality of life in C-K. I have worked to preserve the Wallaceburg Stonehouse Walking Bridge and hospital; in Blenheim and other communities we have added water parks.
I will also work diligently to preserve our horse racing industry.
Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff or services?
Holding the line on taxes is always important but it is also important to understand the business case for staff reductions and services and its impact to our residents which is currently being conducted by the service review. I would support staff reductions if the business case and impact for residents was acceptable. Staff reductions can be achieved in a methodical manner through attrition.
Would you support an OPP costing study?
Analyzing policing costs is always important but just to agree to an OPP costing has financial implications to the municipality that need to be closely examined to make sure that the business case is proven not to have future costs burdening the taxpayer.
Would you support examining a volunteer-only fire service if the provincial arbitration system isn’t overhauled?
I have been working with the mayors of Ontario and the Government of Ontario to implement an arbitration system that is fair to all. The safety of our citizens in an emergency is paramount and must be the driving consideration to get my support for change.
Do you believe we should continue our ongoing efforts to attract economic investment from China?
Yes. Increased assessment growth is the main ingredient to ensure we have a diversified economy with job opportunities for residents. If assessment growth is achieved that will reduce the tax burden for exiting taxpayers. US companies are focused on consolidation and repatriation to appease “Buy American”. Look at the evidence, Kellogg, Ford St. Thomas, GM Transmission, Navistar, Heinz, Caterpillar have all picked up and left. Asia is the area where companies view Canada as an excellent base for North America. .
Would you support contracting municipal services to the private sector if those services can be delivered more efficiently?
Yes, we have in the past and we will continue to examine all services through the service review process.
Would you support investigating amalgamation of fire/ambulance/police services to reduce costs?
Yes. We continue to look for efficiencies.
Would you support a municipal tree-cutting bylaw if it contained incentives for woodlot owners to retain/increase tree cover?
No.
Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner such as London and Windsor have added?
No.
Would you consider developing a usage benchmark for municipal offices, arena and libraries and closing those that don’t meet the standards?
That is currently being done through the service review and at the end of the day, it is council’s decision. Again, it is not to jeopardize our smaller communities.
Do you support development of a community-wide multipurpose recreation centre?
Yes, with joint partnerships.
Do you support an adopt-a-park program in which service or volunteer groups assume some maintenance (grass cutting) of some municipal facilities?
This would be great if sustainable. This is something that can be looked at but without a clear business case, at this time, it is difficult to answer.
Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of municipal councilors?
Yes.
