Question #1

Why should I vote for you?

It’s time for council to put the residents FIRST and to make a decision and stick with it. I’m running because I want to give back to our community. I have experience working in all levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal, so I know how to get things done. I’ve run several small businesses and have been a resident of Grimsby for over a decade. I understand the challenges both homeowners and business owners are facing.

Question #2

The last two terms of council were considerably volatile.

What characteristics make you a team player who can act in the best interests of the Town of Grimsby?

My focus is on the residents and our community, not in-fighting with other councilors over personal vendettas. I believe that as both candidates and future councilors, we need to be held to a higher standard in the eyes of the public. We have a duty and responsibility to the residents to work together. I have spent twenty years working in and around politics. Some of my closest friends come from all political stripes. I have learned that you can put aside personal differences to work together for something greater than just yourself.

Question #3

What is the most important matter facing Grimsby's future?

Grimsby must be a place where our children can afford to buy their first home and stay. We must be a community where property taxes are affordable for those young families. And we need to ensure there are options for renting as owning is not an option for everyone.

Our goal as councilors should be to help foster that environment. I believe this can be achievable, but not without a new direction from council - lower taxes; smart development and increased tourism for businesses. This is what will allow our town to prosper in the future.

Question #4

You have a magic wand. What issue dealt with the last term of council would you have dealt with differently and how?

I would have insisted on working through and approving an Official Plan with stronger language years ago. It’s no secret that development is a hugely contentious issue with residents. Development parameters are primarily guided by each town’s Official Plan, and when a town doesn’t have a strong one, opportunities are missed and decisions are made that don’t reflect what the people want. Grimsby may have looked completely different if the Official Plan had been in place years ago. The new town council needs to be continually forward thinking about major projects and initiatives.

Question #5

In 2019, the Town of Grimsby launched an $18 million civil suit to recoup losses on the biodigester project. Do you support continuing with this action - Yes or No? Please explain your position.

We owe it to taxpayers to recoup losses, yes. That said, having outstanding legal matters for years will not benefit residents. This is an important matter that must be addressed with the new council to ensure we take the most responsible action that respects taxpayers. While the financial losses were not put directly onto the citizens of Grimsby, it left a financial hole within the assets that the town owns and operates. We were promised a clean energy project that would benefit the town for decades and instead we were given a financial money pit that was eventually sold for a loss.