Housing:
1. If elected, what will you do for new municipal land transfer taxes that make buying a
home even less affordable? Provincial Land Transfer Tax is controlled by the
Province.
Toronto is the only Municipal in Ontario that charges a Land Transfer Tax.
I would Not support charging Land Transfer Tax in St. Marys
2. If elected, what will you do on lowering development charges and speeding up
development approvals?
The Province has already mandated a lower Development
Charges across the Province which will lead to a short fall in long term infrastructure
funding. I believe this mandated reduction is a good incentive for new builds. I would
support lowering or eliminating town Development charges for Supportive Housing
Developments.
3. If elected, what will you do on zoning changes that make it easier to build
townhomes, multiplexes and other missing middle housing?
I am a believer in housing
diversity options. I welcome zoning changes at support development in the missing
middle housing and builds that accommodate all of our citizens.
Healthcare & Social Programs:
4. What are the things that you will do to help our health care system specially for those
who are waiting for a family doctor in town?
Local Physicians are succession planning and actively recruiting physicians for future patient care. I believe we need to continue
supporting their efforts annually by budgeting $75,000 toward retention and recruitment
of Physicians through Happy Valley Health. New Physicians directly supports St. Marys
hospital and Emergency care, keeping this open is vital. The Town also committed
$300,000 over 6 years to support Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and regional
healthcare.
5. What will you do about the day care system in our area?
WE have limited space in the towns existing daycare and expanding is a large capital investment. Independently
owned, licensed daycare with qualified ECE educators is an entrepreneurial opportunity
within the community. I would support establishment independent provincially regulated
daycares that would benefit from the current legislated funding structure.
6. When it comes to social programming, would you like to see funding increased for
this and if so where would it be allocated?
I would like to see more funding to support new public, subsided and attainable house
within St. Marys.
7. Most importantly where would this funding come from?
WE continue to seek Grant funding by the Province and Federal levels to support new
builds in supportive housing but are overlooked because the larger cities present a
larger problem. I truly hope small town and rural community needs are soon deemed as
important by these levels.
Strong Mayor Powers:
8. Ontario has given mayors strong powers. Do you feel that the mayor of St. Marys
should have the ability to use them? Explain why or why not.
I do Not Support strong mayor powers. I feel a table of elected Councillor and Mayor
have the better ability together to make an informed decision over the thoughts of one
person ruling from a position of power.
Industry & Business:
9. Tourism was recently announced as the primary focus for economic development.
What are your economic development plans for increasing the towns industrial base as
well? There are currently 2 parcels of land being developed for light industrial use with
each having the potential to draw several new companies to St. Marys. The town will
cooperate in assessing infrastructure needs. WE have heard from existing industry that
the availability of employees to hire is very important. Building housing forms that fit
with employee earnings is important. So I will continue to support house forms that
increase the workforce ability to live locally.
10. How would you deal with downtown vacancies?
A key motivator to shifting focus on Tourism is to support our downtown. Having a
stronger Tourism will support downtown businesses with increased sales. St. Marys will
eventually become the “Place to Be” for retail success leading to less vacancies.
Similar to St. Jacobs or Elora with healthy downtowns.
11. How would you incentivize businesses to grow?
Each initiative or Strategic Priority has spinoffs. A variety of housing forms allow workers
to live locally, creating a strong local workforce. Tourism priority brings new people to
town and spinoff to financial health for local business. Having a local hospital and
Doctors are attractive to future industries investor's. It is the package of offerings that
make St. Marys an attractive choice to grow a business.
Fiscal Items
12. What is your experience with fiscal management?
I was new to municipal finance when I came onto council 8 years ago. My career as a
Realtor allowed me lots of connection people and advice on individual financing and
affordability. I think my experience on a micro scale helps me understand clearly the
impact of council decisions on the individual tax payer.
13. The question is for all current Councillors running for re-election current mayoral
candidates: What is the cost to date on the restoration of the Mercury Theatre, and what
will the total cost be to complete the project?
The total cost for interior and exterior work will be approximately $4,000,000.
The Library is currently fundraising to support $1,000,000 of that total cost as they will
be a anchor tenant in the space.
Supplementary is, How do you justify this cost?
The existing library space is bursting at the seams. The future growth of St. Marys will
inevitably require more space for municipal staff and services. The current needs for
social supports within our town are growing. 14 Church Street is a multi-purpose
building designed for the future and of St. Marys. It is a reasonable price to pay for a
space that will assist the community and corporation for generations. Looking at St.
Marys history and I am happy the founders invested in the beautiful legacy we see and
enjoy everyday. This
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