I have met many people that moved to Haldimand from bigger cities and I always ask about their WHY.
The answer is always the same. It’s a smaller town, people are kinder and different in a good way. They look out for one another, they pull over when you’re in a ditch in a blizzard and insist they help out and test their new tow straps (true story)! It’s because there is a rural town culture here that is irreplaceable.
That is what I want to protect. To keep our small towns small because we chose to live here and no where else for a reason.
I will vote and represent the best interests of the Ward 4 FIRST AND FOREMOST based on the values and views that I am sharing with you. What's best for the county isn't always what's best for our community.
This DOES NOT mean I am against ALL development.
Sustainable and gradual development means not saying yes to every development application that comes in. It has to be methodical, well planned, and absolutely has to take into consideration the impact on the individuals already living in our community.
The argument of growth paying for growth is a fallacy. If that was the case we wouldn't be so behind with aging infrastructure in so many municipalities.
Nor will I pretend to. If I am asked a question about something that I don’t have knowledge or awareness of, I will be honest and say so. What I can promise is to learn and familiarize myself on the subject so that I am able to give you proper answers, and make informed decisions. I will say it how it is.
My values and beliefs are going to be applied to every decision that I make. My core values do not change. Where I stand on the issues that our county is facing will not change. In my opinion there are some decisions that have been made with a disregard to the public input ex. denying the referendum question to be included on the 2026 Ballot.
Industrial lands should be used for industrial purposes. Industry brings jobs and money into our community.
The fact is Industrial Property Tax Class is the highest out of all the tax classes. This means that it is much more profitable for Haldimand County to have those lands remain industrial AND encourage and welcome industrial sector to develop it than to have a mix of commercial and residential development that is being proposed.
Being a councillor IS BEING THE VOICE of the people that elected you. Listening and actually hearing what people do and do not want. It’s about serving the tax payers, just like yourself. It’s about having no other motives and an unwavering moral compass.
When I vote in municipal elections I pick the candidate that exhibits the values and morals that I most align with, see where they stand on the issues that are important to me as a voter and a tax payer, and vote for them in hopes that they are true to their word when it comes to representing their ward.
I'm not going to be everyone's cup of tea, not everyone is going to agree with my perspective or where I stand on the issues that are important for the future of our county and what that future looks like for mine and your children.
I'll be clear on one thing, I will not be persuaded to think that mass developments are good for our tax base and our county needs to move forward, but forward to what?
Is it moving forward to a different distraction? New services and new buildings that are going to increase our tax rates?
Is it moving forward with no longer bringing up and discussing development issues that are facing our small rural county?
Is it moving forward to accepting that development is going to happen regardless of what the community voices?
Some may argue that bringing up the development is old news, or has lost its relevance, on the contrary it just moved to a different town with Hagersville being the next one to build up and out just like it happened and is happening in Caledonia. If you stop talking about it people stop paying attention, until a huge subdivision is built right in front of you and there is nothing you can do about it because the shovels are already in the ground.