Question 1. What are you most proud of, personally as a councillor, that you/council have been able to accomplish in the first half of your mandate?
I think this council has done a great job in continuing the important task of reviewing policies and services. We have been able to move forward on key projects like King Street Reconstruction, transit and transportation improvements, several critical master plans, and well appreciated customer service improvements.
King Street reconstruction is a major highlight for me, it has been many years in the works and it looks amazing. It will fully pop in spring 2021 with the gardening and street trees, and I think people will quickly adapt to the new layout. It’s very accessible.
I’ve really missed special events this year, and looking back the Town of Midland has hosted so many incredible events in the past few years. The award-winning Ontario’s Best Buttertart Festival has been a lot of fun to be involved with, and I’ve really enjoyed the small downtown events like movies and the Raptors' NBA Finals Game 1.
Question 2. What is your biggest disappointment as it relates to a council decision/direction or issue?
It’s more of the sobering realization that there are limited municipal funds for all the exciting ideas that the community has; especially environmental initiatives. The Town has a limited property tax base to draw upon and there are only a few provincial and federal grants available. We have been able to stretch our funds by partnering with our neighbours on culture, economic development and continued support for the SSEA.
I’d very much like to see an investment in more street trees especially in the downtown core.
Question 3. Nobody saw the pandemic coming. Specifically, as a councillor, what is the biggest challenge the pandemic has created and how have you tried to tackle that challenge?
The biggest challenge facing Midland is the economic uncertainty and fallout from the pandemic. It has affected everyone and everything including our factories, our downtown and small businesses. People have worked really hard to make sure businesses reopened safely, people adapted to the new rules, and we have open communication with the province and health unit on the changing regulations and restrictions.
Supporting our local businesses is the most important thing that we can do. Visitors and tourists will one day return but until then - shop safe, shop local.
Question 4. What is your vision for the area known as Midland Bay Landing (i.e. a full park, half a park and the balance development, mostly development)?
I support the MBL masterplan vision that outlines how the town can develop a people oriented mixed-use development that has a mix of housing, shops, with a fully accessible and public waterfront. I share the community’s excitement for awesome public spaces and we have assembled a talented board that can help us achieve our goals for this development. This is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate sustainable development policies and practices, remediate an industrial brownfield, achieve community economic and social goals, and maximize public spaces. Hopefully we will have green roofs on green buildings powered with green energy!
Question 5. Are you doing enough as a council to be transparent, to encourage public input and to listen? How so? How could that be improved during the second half of your mandate?
Council’s strategic plan focuses on open government and as part of the service delivery review we have focused on improving customer service. The town is more open and accessible with improvements to our website by adding features like the new bylaw complaint management (E11 system), easier than ever to follow along with the council and committee meetings and agenda (iCompass), or give feedback and comments on the various master plans via the EngagingMidland platform.
We do want the community to share ideas or concerns with any or all of us via email, phone, or social media.
Question 6. What is the biggest challenge council faces in the second half of its mandate (ie. Staff retirements, promised tax freeze, capacity) and what are your top priorities?
Pandemic economic recovery will be the dominant issue facing Midland in the next two years. Even though there is light at the end of the tunnel with successful vaccine results, getting through the pandemic is the biggest challenge that we face. The pandemic has highlighted the need for safe, open, and accessible public spaces, and the town will be investing heavily in our parks system in the next two years.
I’m really looking forward to all the amazing special events we will host (hopefully mid 2021) as part of our post pandemic super-charged “Welcome Back” tourism strategy.
My priorities will continue to support policies and projects that improve the livability of Midland, from affordable housing initiatives, zoning review, park upgrades, and to making the town’s roads more walkable, bike friendly, and safe.
Question 7: Lastly, do you intend to seek re-election? Why or why not?
It’s very likely I will seek re-election. It has been an incredible experience to be involved in the development and now the implementation of some key policies and plans. I would like to continue to advocate for progressive public policy and participate in the crafting of new policies. I have greatly enjoyed this unique opportunity to help contribute ideas and energy into improving the town. It’s a huge honour to serve the community.
