MY PRIORITIES

SIX PRIORITIES FOR A STRONGER OWEN SOUND

One councillor cannot fix everything or make promises alone. Council decisions require people to work together.

What I can promise is that I will listen, ask questions, look at the numbers, bring forward practical ideas and work with others to find better solutions for Owen Sound.

1. RESPONSIBLE SPENDING & ACCOUNTABILITY

Residents work hard for their money, and every tax dollar should be treated with respect.

Before asking residents to pay more, Council should first examine how the City operates, where efficiencies can be found and whether services can be delivered differently.

TWO-YEAR TAX FREEZE

I support a two-year municipal property tax freeze while Council conducts a serious review of City spending, operations and opportunities for efficiencies.

A tax freeze should not mean ignoring essential infrastructure or simply cutting services residents depend on. It means challenging ourselves to find better ways of operating before automatically asking taxpayers for more.

REVIEW CITY EXPENSES

Large expenditures should be questioned and justified. Council should consider not only the initial price, but also long-term operating and maintenance costs.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DECISIONS

Residents deserve clear explanations about major spending decisions, debt and significant increases in City costs.

Before asking taxpayers for more, let's make sure we're getting the best value from what they're already paying.

2. RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE & SMARTER CITY SERVICES

Roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, water, transit and other basic services affect residents every day.

Council needs to maintain what we already have while looking for smarter and more efficient ways to provide services.

🚌 MY IDEA: A SMARTER APPROACH TO PUBLIC TRANSIT

Improving public transit doesn't always have to mean putting more of the burden on property taxpayers.

School boards already pay for student transportation. I believe Owen Sound should explore whether older students who can safely and independently use regular city transit could receive transit passes, with the school board contributing toward the cost.

This would not replace appropriate transportation for young children, students with special transportation needs, or students for whom regular transit isn't practical.

For suitable older students, it could mean more transit ridership and greater independence to get to school, work, recreation and other activities.

But we need the numbers first.

The City and school boards should examine cost, capacity, routes, schedules and safety to determine whether a partnership makes practical and financial sense.

If the numbers work, students, families, our transit system and taxpayers could all benefit.

Better partnerships. Better use of existing services. Better value for taxpayers.

3. HOUSING & RESPONSIBLE GROWTH

Owen Sound needs more housing choices.

We should look at unnecessary municipal barriers, delays and processes that can increase the time and cost of creating housing.

At the same time, growth has to be supported by roads, water and wastewater infrastructure, transit and other services.

I support responsible growth that creates more housing opportunities without simply transferring the costs of growth to existing taxpayers.

More housing choices. Less unnecessary red tape. Responsible growth.

4. A SAFE & VIBRANT OWEN SOUND

Everyone should be able to enjoy our downtown, neighbourhoods and public spaces.

Homelessness, addiction, mental health and public safety are complicated challenges that the City cannot solve alone.

We need cooperation between the City, County, police, health and social-service organizations, businesses and other levels of government.

We should show compassion toward people who need help while also recognizing that residents and businesses deserve clean, welcoming and safe public spaces.

I want a downtown where people want to live, visit, shop, work and invest.

5. WATERFRONT, PARKS, YOUTH & RECREATION

Owen Sound has tremendous natural assets.

Our waterfront, harbour, parks and trails should contribute even more to our quality of life and local economy.

I want Council to look for practical ways to make better use of these assets while protecting what makes Owen Sound special.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Families need accessible activities for children and teenagers.

That doesn't always require expensive new facilities. Partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses and volunteers can create opportunities at lower cost.

We should look for practical ways to expand recreation, activities and community spaces that give young people positive things to do.

A vibrant Owen Sound should work for children, families, seniors and everyone in between.

6. LISTENING, TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

Good government starts with listening.

Council doesn't have to agree with every resident, but people deserve to know their concerns were heard and considered.

I will bring residents' concerns to the Council table, ask questions and explain where I stand.

Staff provide important professional expertise, but Council is elected to make decisions and ultimately be accountable to residents.

I won't pretend to know every answer.

When I don't know something, I will ask questions, listen to people who understand the issue, examine the evidence and make the best decision I can for Owen Sound.

THE KIND OF CHANGE I WANT TO BRING

I am not running because I believe everything in Owen Sound is wrong.

I am running because I believe we can do some things differently.

My experience in management, financial services, front-line unionized work and union leadership has given me the opportunity to see issues from different sides.

It has also taught me that when something isn't working, simply continuing the same approach isn't always the answer.

Sometimes you have to question the system, look at the numbers and find another way.

MY APPROACH TO COUNCIL

Listen to residents.
Question when something doesn't make sense.
Protect taxpayers.
Look for partnerships and efficiencies.
Support essential services.
Work with others to get things done.

LISTEN. QUESTION. WORK TOGETHER.

That's the kind of leadership I want to bring to Owen Sound.