I was born and raised in Chatham-Kent, and have raised my two sons here. My goal as councillor is to serve Chatham-Kent in fulfilling our potential as a healthy, prosperous and sustainable community.
My background includes an HBComm, MBA, and CHRP; 10 years at Union Gas; and 14 years as founder/president of CANGRAM International Inc., working with over 100 companies and governments across Canada and several countries in leadership
and education, and strategic/operational plans.
I teach at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, consult through GeddesGlobal, and serve as president to Toastmasters RISE and the Chatham Horticultural Society.
Past community involvement includes Chatham-Kent Wildcats basketball, Cultural Coalition of Chatham-Kent, Rotary, an honorary Big Sister, chairperson YMCA Women of Excellence Awards, Pay it Forward, editor and publisher of “IMAGINE Chatham-Kent 2023!”
Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff or services?
Yes – We need to live within our means. My preference is to invest strategically, and to ask all of us, citizens and staff, to find ways to do things differently, and perhaps to let some things go if our population does not stabilize. Any reduction in staffing levels should be a multi-year plan that is largely handled through attrition, otherwise cost savings might not materialize.
Would you support an OPP costing study?
No.
Would you support examining a volunteer-only fire service if the provincial arbitration system isn’t overhauled?
No – While the arbitration system does need to be overhauled, I would act to engage with the provincial government to effect change. I am not willing to compromise safety. Due to more hazardous materials and chemicals present in homes and buildings today, it is important to have professional firefighters at the core of our service. At the same time, in our rural areas, the volunteers are essential.
Do you believe we should continue our ongoing efforts to attract economic investment from China?
Yes, with members of the business and cultural communities driving it. Partnerships are more likely to succeed and to be sustainable.
Would you support contracting municipal services to the private sector if those services can be delivered more efficiently?
Yes, other than essential services, and within a values-driven framework.
Would you support investigating amalgamation of fire/ambulance/police services to reduce costs?
Yes. Some efforts have proceeded in this direction already, with coordination of emergency call responses. A good first step would be to look at places where a full amalgamation has been done, and hear about their experience.
Would you support a municipal tree-cutting bylaw if it contained incentives for woodlot owners to retain/increase tree cover?
Yes. Definitely yes. In addition to rural incentives, the urban greening of our communities is an important part of the conversation. We need a long-term measurable goal (10% forest cover by 2025, for example) with action plans to get there. It is not enough to talk about tree cutting and planting. We need to look at eco-system development, watershed protection, and urban reforestation.
Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner such as London and Windsor have added?
No. Not necessarily. I can add value here; it is within my area of expertise. Systems for accountability and communication are usually a better first step. Two examples: track the types of calls received with categories such as taxes, infrastructure, garbage, etc. Concurrently, publicize a tracking process for compliments and complaints about staff for three reasons: to reward excellence in customer service, to develop skills where needed, and to ensure those responsible are accountable.
Would you consider developing a usage benchmark for municipal offices, arena and libraries and closing those that don’t meet the standards?
Yes. Worthy idea. Use it or lose it. We can’t let the entire municipality sink because we were unwilling to let go of a few anchors.
Do you support development of a community-wide multipurpose recreation centre?
No. Not at this time. While it might have been ideal and was previously under discussion, collaboration failed and since then other investments have been made, including a new YMCA and the St. Clair College Thames Campus HealthPlex. We have been divided enough over big projects, and any new such proposal would need enough of the community behind it and committed – financially.
Do you support an adopt-a-park program in which service or volunteer groups assume some maintenance (grass cutting) of some municipal facilities?
Yes. Neighbourhood care increases awareness, safety, participation, and health too – its exercise! We need to look at every way to work together for what we care about. That’s why the Chatham Horticultural Society started the “Green & Clean” last year to support Communities in Bloom. More options are open to neighbourhoods that want to create them, such as: community gardens, urban ‘forest’ gardens, vertical green ‘walls’, edible planters.
Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of municipal councilors?
Yes. More representation does not yield the accountability we are looking for. Seventeen is a large number to work most effectively as a team, to understand all the issues facing each of our many communities, and to co-create the vision and strategy to move us forward.
