Here are my answers to The Independent of Petrolia & Central Lambton newspaper interview:
CANDIDATE SURVEY THE INDEPENDENT
Age: 63
Work Experience: 45 years as a florist and retired owner of Kay’s Petals & Plants. I have experience in all aspects of owning a family-owned small business.
Political experience:
Councillor in St. Clair Township 2014-2018 & 2018-2022, Mayoral candidate 2022.
Why do you want to serve on St. Clair Township council?
I’m running because I love this community and good communities don’t happen by accident. They happen because people like me want to get involved.
I see our potential and I want to improve and strengthen what we already have. With my business experience and community connections, I have the skills that will help me make sensible, sustainable decisions.
I want residents to be more informed and engaged with improved communication tools that are easier to understand and find.
My vision is to maintain a thriving, connected community that supports families and businesses while preserving our rural character.
What is the most important issue facing the St. Clair Township in the next four years?
Like most municipalities, St. Clair has not been able to keep up with the financial demands of maintaining and replacing aging infrastructure like roads, bridges, and facilities. This will be a major issue for the next four years and beyond.
What should be the township’s response to it?
I want to be sure we consistently use our asset management plan that outlines everything the township owns; focussing on roads, bridges, buildings, and safety.
I will ask some hard questions about the use of our parks, libraries, and facilities. These questions may require difficult decisions in order to ensure long-term financial sustainability. We need to be sure our assets are used to their full potential or find alternative uses for them
It will be essential that we continue to diligently save for our future needs and ensure that the funds we set aside are used for their intended purpose.
The province has been working to increase power generation in the province and St. Clair Township has had numerous companies seek council support for their projects in the last term of council.
Should council lend its support to projects on a case by case basis or should it have an economic development/energy strategy which shapes its decisions on which projects should receive the township’s endorsement?
We definitely need an economic development plan to explore opportunities that focus on the types of businesses we feel are missing, including energy projects. The plan must include an implementation strategy with measurable timelines and results.
We need to focus on attracting businesses and energy projects that meet our goals, economic needs like job creation and tax revenue, as well as those for long-term sustainability.
To make efficient and consistent decisions on energy projects we are willing to support, I would like to develop criteria that each project must meet in order to be considered.
Would you support a nuclear facility at the former Lambton Generating Station? Why or why not?
I would support a nuclear facility as long as all necessary studies, plans and consultation processes are thorough, transparent and include all parties that could be affected by the facility in any way.
There must be evidence presented that it would be a safe, efficient and economically valuable to our citizens. We must be sure the advantages out weigh the risks
Do you believe St. Clair Township should own and operate campgrounds? Why or why not? If you believe they should be sold off, what sort of development should be encouraged?
I would like to develop a strategy outlining the township’s goals to determine if campgrounds align with them. We need to consider if campgrounds serve our residents or put a strain resources, provide a substantial attraction for visitors, are economically efficient, and if they are the most effective use of staff time and funds.
My decision will be based on the findings of the campground study currently underway and detailed staff reports. This is an important issue that we can no longer ignore and I would push for a decision in early 2027.
If the most feasible option is selling the campgrounds, new development must align with our goals.
St. Clair Township is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Lambton County, however the commercial business district has not increased at the same pace – is there something you believe the township should do to attract businesses to the community?
Before we begin recruiting more businesses or offering incentives like tax breaks, it’s essential to clearly define our strengths and develop a targeted strategy for business attraction.
I want to identify the businesses we lack, those we have the resources to support, and potential locations for them. We must first understand our needs, align our priorities, and highlight our strengths. Attracting businesses should not be for attraction’s sake; rather, for sustainable success. We require targeted strategies grounded in long-term planning
The communities that thrive aren’t necessarily those with the most businesses; they are the ones that purposefully leverage their strengths.