My Platform
Infrastructure projects don’t just happen – they are the result of intensive project planning, and the quality of the outcome depends on the quality of that planning. The Barrie annexation has diverted staff’s time away from essential projects, and things have fallen through the cracks in an unacceptable way. This is the hidden cost of annexation: on top of lost land and revenue, we have also lost meaningful progress on our major projects. Projects that enable growth and ensure the burden is not placed on existing residents.
We need to get back to managing our growth. Craig Road, which I have strongly advocated for, is vital for diverting traffic flow from the new Gill Road subdivision away from existing Midhurst. More comprehensive ditching and faster response to resident concerns will prevent more flooded basements. Coordinating better with contractors will finish road construction faster with less stress to residents who drive these roads daily. I will continue to champion all of these projects in my second term, because they only grow more important as we grow as a community.
Specifically, I will use my excellent working relationship with the development firms to bridge the gap with staff, flag issues early and resolve them quickly, and continue responsible development that is in the best interests of Springwater. This includes with the forthcoming Bayfield Street Corridor project and the Highway 400 employment lands. I will also continue to oppose mandatory sewer hookups for existing residents in all new developments – something I successfully motioned to prevent early in my first term. I will continue my common-sense approach to road maintenance – ensuring we do as much as we can in one go to prevent cost and time overruns. I will prioritize essential, community-building infrastructure over nice-to-haves; this includes the proposed Community Hub at Bayfield Street and Snow Valley Road – a project I would only commit to if I am sure, on the basis of financial projections, that we can manage.
In a growing community, safety becomes an increasing concern. I’ve repeatedly heard from residents about these concerns and share them, living in the center of Midhurst. Issues include increased traffic flow through our communities, which brings risks – speeding, accidents, and more. We are also, unfortunately, seeing rising trends of vehicle theft and break-ins. Barrie is only minutes away and has experienced a serious increase in homeless encampments in the past number of years. Midhurst may be next without community safety proposals like the ones I continue to make.
In my first term, I championed community safety. I spearheaded the middle-of-road bollards around Midhurst to slow cars down on our residential streets. Each year, we identify new locations for bollards based on community feedback, and they have also expanded to other areas of Springwater. I also secured support for the crossing guard serving Forest Hill Public School – Doran Road is both one of our highest traffic streets as well as the busiest for young families and kids walking. I was also pleased to serve on the inaugural OPP Detachment Board serving Springwater. Along with Deputy Mayor George Cabral, a former member of law enforcement, I use local knowledge to prioritize policing activities in our community. This has led to improved response times and community safety.
These topics – road infrastructure, crossing safety, and policing – are even stronger priorities in my second term as our community grows.
For those of us who may not know what Strong Mayors powers is and how it affects you, I will provide the follow description.
Strong mayor powers are legislative tools granted to heads of municipal councils that shift traditional decision-making authority away from the full council and place it directly in the hands of the mayor. Primarily used to fast-track government priorities like housing and infrastructure, they give the mayor control over budgets, staffing, and vetoes.
Strong mayors powers being granted to 216 mayors across the province of Ontario has had a major negative effect on our democratic rights as citizens. Our individual voices have been silenced and our elected representatives can no longer fully represent their constituents. Some mayors have respected their councils, residents, and democracy by refusing to use these powers. In Springwater we have not enjoyed that leadership.
Strong Mayors powers is poorly thought out legislation and its execution in many municipalities including Springwaters have been damaged by them – both in terms of blows to democracy and in terms of functionally worse decision-making and high costs.
A core example of this damage is the Mayor’s annexation of land to Barrie that happened last year. This event cost the Township likely hundreds of millions of dollars in lost potential revenue – even though the majority of Council voted against it. When one person’s agenda can force a change as large as this, we know there is a problem.
I encourage all voters to ask the candidates what their stance on Strong mayors powers is. My stance is strongly against. Your councillors’ stances on strong mayor powers will tell you whether they will stand up to overreach or go along with it.
Below is a link listing of all Strong Mayors Powers made during this term.
There are recommendations in the Midhurst Secondary Plan (MSP) that current residents be forced to connect to the new sewer system. This will cost you tens of thousands of dollars to hookup plus an ongoing monthly sewage cost. The costly decommissioning and potential removal of existing septic systems would also fall on the residents. Councilor Hanna tabled a motion to eliminate that requirement however, it is still on the table for this coming term. I do not agree with costly mandatory sewer hook ups for existing residents.