Message comment: My greatest annoyance in this election is the fact that no one seems to be taking into consideration the absolute disaster our Provincial Government has downloaded...and continues to download on our Municipalities.

My response: It really seems to work both ways. Over the years, I’ve noticed municipalities being given less authority, with more power shifting to the Province or the Federal government. It was even worse in Ontario than it is here.

I keep reminding people— since we seem to be 'behind' by about a decade (look at health cards which have been photo plastic for 20+ years now in Ontario) this is our chance to take the “best” of Ontario (since so many of us came from there) and leave behind the bad policies. For example, my hometown in Ontario once decided to get rid of community committees—a big mistake. Just a few years later, they were pressured into bringing them back.

I firmly believe in citizen participation in local Government, be it community committees or Public Hearings like the one at City Hall tonight. Citizens must be given every opportunity to help shape the future of our community and Council is there to lead based on that participation and input.

​Thank you. I hope to earn the opportunity to serve, but even if I’m not elected, our city still needs new leadership—a Mayor and Council ready to guide us into the next quarter century and beyond.