GuelphToday asked those running for city council in the Oct. 22 municipal election to supply a brief biography and outline their platform and/or why they are running.
THE PERSON: I grew up on a dairy farm, learned the value of hard work at a young age, attended the University of Guelph, fell in love with the city and have lived here ever since.
My educational background is in business management, psychology and conflict resolution.
I’m the proud mother of two grown children, the past owner of paramedical and health food distribution companies, a sales representative and a city councillor for 14 years.
I enjoy volunteering and assisting constituents, gained a wealth of knowledge being a member of: the board of the Guelph General Hospital and chaired the quality committee, Guelph Police Services Board, Grand River Conservation Authority, chair of the City’s Audit Committee, Public Health, committee of management for The Elliott Community, finance, planning, public works, environment, transportation, administration and physician recruitment.
I’m able to bring this broad based experience to council to assist with informed decisions for the benefit of our citizens.
THE PLATFORM: The main reason I have always run for council is to listen to what constituents are saying and apply my experience and knowledge so that fiscal due diligence is undertaken and to continue my efforts to ensure the city manages finances wisely by emphasizing basic services and achieving value for tax dollars.
I was able to utilize my skills and played a significant role in exposing and ending millions of dollars of wasteful spending. It’s imperative to keep moving in the right direction and there is more work to be done. We need to continue completing service reviews to identify efficiencies and savings to pay down the city's debt and build up reserves from the unsustainably low levels.
The most important issue facing Ward 4 is keeping taxes affordable. This is what I hear most from my constituents. The cost of municipal services is increasing well above inflation and is an affordability issue for many Guelph households and businesses.
According to a recent poll by Angus Reid Institute “Almost one-in-three Canadians feel ‘very stressed about money’ on a regular basis – either ‘often’ or ‘all the time.’ ” This is overwhelming for many and council must be more diligent and more concerned with limiting tax increases. Be wary of claims pointing out the “declining tax rate.” Although it may sound good, it is a totally separate issue from the annual tax increases that are imposed on us.
I kept my promise to Ward 4 and voted to limit tax increases.
One of Guelph’s best attributes is our water quality. A most important achievement I want is the conclusion of the Dolime Quarry mediation to the city’s satisfaction to protect our drinking water supply. Additional goals for Ward 4 are completion of the shopping node at Paisley and Elmira, reduce petty crimes and speeding on residential streets, review driveway widths to reflect current parking needs, adding bus shelters, completing sidewalks where none exist, establish the pedestrian - cyclist access between the West End Rec Centre and Costco, and providing the trail connection under the Hanlon at Wellington.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being on Council is the ability to assist constituents. It has been a privilege to represent Ward 4 and I would be honoured to have your support to continue.
