I’m a lifelong resident of Ridgetown for 59 years. Married with two adult children and two grandchildren.
I am the publisher of the Ridgetown Independent News.
As councillor for the Town of Ridgetown and Chatham-Kent, I have sat on or chaired most municipal committees. Involved with numerous local groups and organizations.
I am committed to maintain East Kent as a safe and exciting place in which to live. I will continue to strive for quality employment opportunities and maintain and enhance our facilities for leisurely affordable recreation and retirement.
Through proper maintenance and local planning for growth, we can retain the high quality of life that we enjoy in Chatham-Kent. A clean, well-maintained community with accessible, affordable local programs and above-average services will promote growth. We need to get back to basics with local community involvement.
Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff or services?
Yes. While certain core or mandated services must be maintained I have supported such issues in the past and will in the future.
Would you support an OPP costing study?
Yes. I have made and or supported this motion a number of times however a majority of council has not. While not a reflection on present services this promised no cost review is simply a best business practice.
Would you support examining a volunteer-only fire service if the provincial arbitration system isn’t overhauled?
Yes. No municipal department or division should be exempt when looking for savings or new ways of providing services.
Do you believe we should continue our ongoing efforts to attract economic investment from China?
Yes. There and everywhere else. Why would you exclude one country that could move jobs here?
Would you support contracting municipal services to the private sector if those services can be delivered more efficiently?
Yes. This is just common sense.
Would you support investigating amalgamation of fire/ambulance/police services to reduce costs?
Yes. All avenues for savings must be explored.
Would you support a municipal tree-cutting bylaw if it contained incentives for woodlot owners to retain/increase tree cover?
No. We just completed an exhaustive and thorough review and have enacted a strategy to bring all sides of this issue to the table. It needs time to work. We can assist present woodlot owners with site-specific zoning or support from ministries to evaluate areas of interest.
Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner such as London and Windsor have added?
No. The use of the Ontario Ombudsman would be a better option. I am not in favor of adding new staff.
Would you consider developing a usage benchmark for municipal offices, arena and libraries and closing those that don’t meet the standards?
No. While this sounds good on the surface we already have all the data and information to make informed decisions. This is a backdoor way to eliminate rural services.
Do you support development of a community-wide multipurpose recreation centre?
No. We have contributed generously to the St. Clair Healthplex, YMCA and recreation activities. We cannot afford this at this time nor should it be built by cutting rural services.
Do you support an adopt-a-park program in which service or volunteer groups assume some maintenance (grass cutting) of some municipal facilities?
Yes. This is already being done in Ward 3.
Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of municipal councilors?
No. Previous studies and suggestions have not provided a workable plan to properly serve all areas of the municipality.
