Over the past two decades, I have dedicated many hours volunteering to make Chatham-Kent a better place to live work and play. I have created and organized many events to support local charities and have sat on many boards.
I have a business degree and have held various jobs in senior positions which have all helped me to gain extensive experience as a leader in business and non-profit sectors.
All of these experiences combined have prepared me for the role of Mayor and I am ready to dedicate myself on a full-time basis to making Chatham-Kent an even better place to live, work and play.
I believe in this community and I believe we can all work together as one to benefit all who live here. I want to set priorities and build consensus as part of a proactive municipal team, reacting and responding to the needs of the community.
- Do you support increasing funding for infrastructure given the fact several culverts and bridges – including the Third Street Bridge – have had emergency issues and closures recently?
Yes. Exemplary infrastructure is the backbone of any community and is an important component of how a community views itself and how it is viewed by outsiders deciding to live or invest in Chatham-Kent. Although there are many different infrastructure components, spending on critical projects like the Third Street bridge will always be a priority. Like all municipalities in Ontario, infrastructure in Chatham-Kent is underfunded. We need to continue to invest and find better ways to spend the current funding that we have. We must also ensure that CK receives its fair share of provincial funding.
- Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff and/or services?
Yes. A tax freeze is possible and can be accomplished in a number of ways that does not necessarily require that someone lose their job or that services automatically be reduced. Combining positions when attrition occurs is a much more fiscally responsible option to reducing staff that can also save tax dollars. Delivering exceptional service does not always depend on staff levels. Providing staff with the proper tools and processes can be a much more effective strategy. We must also strive for best practices and more efficient ways to deliver services.
- Would you support shifting some services to the private sector if those services could be done more efficiently that way?
Yes. Council has requested that administration always strive to find ways to deliver exemplary services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. If the private sector is able to deliver certain services more efficiently and effectively, then council has an obligation to thoroughly investigate the potential.
- Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner?
No. Chatham-Kent does not need a full-time paid ethics commissioner now nor in the future. My experience is that staff and councillors are individually and collectively aware of their rights and obligations and are dedicated to acting ethically. The role of an ethics commissioner would be duplicating the services and safeguards that are currently in place at a cost that cannot be justified.
- Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of council members?
Yes. The process involved in reducing the size of council should be given more attention. We have rural issues and urban issues but they are all Chatham-Kent issues. Council consistently asks that administration find ways to deliver improved services in the most cost-effective way. Council itself should be held to the same standard. If altering the size of council would lead to better decision making, improved services and save money at the same time, then council should give the possibility of reduction and realignment due consideration.
- Should the municipality try to land an Ontario Cannabis Store as soon as possible?
Yes. On October 17th Cannabis will be legal in Canada and can be ordered on line. We will not be able to stop people from using it. Tightly regulated private retail stores may be legalized in April 2019. If there is no local place to purchase, people of Chatham-Kent that choose to use the product will be forced to order by mail or drive to another community to acquire it. It should be treated the same as alcohol. Drinking and using Cannabis are personal choices. There would also be economic benefits to having a local store that would pay taxes and provide jobs.
- Should council be more proactive in terms of working with landowners with contaminated wells?
Yes. We should be advocates for them with the province in finding a solution.
- Some critics say the municipal building department is an impediment to development in C-K. Do you agree?
Yes. I have heard the criticism and it is important that this issue be resolved. Chatham-Kent must be seen as a willing and engaged partner to business and all roadblocks or red tape that stifle investment should be eradicated. If it is a personnel issue, it needs to be addressed. If it is a policy issue, changes in our policies must be considered. Our local business community continues to be an integral component in moving Chatham- Kent forward. They shouldn’t be frustrated or thwarted by policies or individuals.
- Do you believe Chatham needs a new twin-pad arena?
Yes. Chatham-Kent, not just Chatham, needs a new twin pad arena as the first step in upgrading a variety of recreational facilities across the municipality. This item has been on the table for consideration by various councils in one form or another for some time. Now is the time to act and get it done. If we hope to attract businesses, new residents of all ages and retain or re-engage our youth, council must ensure that infrastructure spending include expenditures on recreation facilities. Projects of this size must include Provincial and Federal funding, but we must also work with private business and keep costs within acceptable levels for tax payers. With federal and provincial support, the cost of building a new arena would be similar to that of renovating Memorial and Erickson Arenas.
- Should the municipality cut back on its expenditures for overseas economic development efforts?
Yes. Unfortunately, the Municipality has spent an exceptional amount of money on these trips with little to show for the effort and the dollars expended. This does not preclude paying attention to real opportunities overseas that have a reasonable expectation of paying dividends for Chatham-Kent but it shouldn’t be a priority. Supporting our local business community should be our first priority since the majority of new jobs have come and will likely continue to come as a result of their efforts and investment in our community. The Province and Federal levels of Government have very specialized teams that work specifically in looking for opportunities abroad. We need to work closely with these groups to foster opportunities.
- Should municipal councillors ever be forced to go the Freedom of Information route when seeking municipal information?
No. There should be no roadblocks to councillors seeking access to information that is required for them to effectively carry out the responsibilities of their elected position. However, access to confidential information of a sensitive nature such as the contents of a particular personnel file that is not related to their position or responsibilities might reasonably be withheld.
- Should members of the public have more access to municipal information without having to resort to an FOI?
Yes. There should be no unnecessary roadblocks, red tape or undue expense associated with accessing municipal information that is rightfully accessible to the public.
