We have the potential but we need to do more to attract new users of our amenities and encourage investment.

One of my priorities is to create a coordinated economic development and marketing strategy that promotes our waterfront, businesses, tourism, recreation and investment opportunities

Top first steps:

• I will work with staff to develop professionally designed promotional material targeting tourism, business attraction and improvement, and resident information. As well as work to refresh the current website.
• Encourage a coordinated marketing effort between departments including social media pages.
• Form a Promotion and Out Reach Team to promote St. Clair Twp. at events in our township and beyond.
• Provide landowners and developers with tools to create shovel ready sites for potential investors.
• Form closer relationships and partnerships with organizations such as the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership, Tourism Sarnia Lambton and the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce.
• Develop Day Trip packages

St. Clair Township already has tremendous assets and we don’t lack opportunity; we need to tell our story better.

After operating a business in Corunna for 45 years, I understand how important reliable municipal services, responsive staff and strong communities are to local business

Actions:

• Bring forward a vacant Property Standards bylaw and enforce it to ensure empty and derelict buildings are maintained or occupied in a timely manner.
• Facilitate and present business-related programs available through groups like the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Lambton.
• Support owner-led Small Business Groups
• Form an Economic Development Committee to explore new ways to attract new businesses and support those we already have.
• Increase awareness and promotion of Agriculturally based businesses

Municipal government should make it easier, not harder, for entrepreneurs to succeed

Beyond providing a house, the key to a healthy community is to give people a sense of place and connection.

My Objectives:

• Continue to offer attractive, accessible, family friendly spaces and recreational facilities.
• Keep citizens engaged by encouraging them to get involved with volunteer organizations
• Promote civic ownership and pride
• Provide and improve reliable services, information and infrastructure

Young families are looking for affordable recreation, good internet, a safe community, and family activities. These are the things I will continue to support.

Here’s my plan:

• Target clean industry, advanced manufacturing, energy projects and skilled trade employers. Companies who are aligned with environmentally and socially responsible practices.
• Require new industrial developments to contribute annually to a Community Improvement Fund for parks, trails, and recreation
• Be sure green space and buffering requirements are met or exceeded during the site plan and building permit processes.
• Present thorough, and detailed information in a professional manner when approaching other levels of government for support.

I know through my experience and community involvement that we already deliver outstanding volunteer-led events throughout the township. My focus would be helping those events reach larger audiences through better marketing, collaboration and tourism partnerships.

Although we have excellent events, there’s plenty of opportunity to increase usage of our museums, trails, campgrounds and sports facilities.

Volunteers help drive our success.  They need support to turn their passion into action.

How to improve:

• Create a program for volunteer organizations to share information and resources.
• Hold round table discussions and workshops for event organizers to learn and share information.
• A marketing program that features our amenities and events

These are quality of life investments that support good health, community pride and ultimately long-term economic value. They offer comfort, recreation and enjoyment that help create a sense of community pride.

Beautification is beneficial because:

• Companies relocate to areas where their employees want to live. A vibrant community makes it attractive for residents to locate and remain here.
• Art installations create public spaces that are enjoyable places that people want to take time to enjoy. In a business area, they can provide reasons to linger and visit surrounding merchants.
• Recreational facilities and trails encourage physical activity that improves health.

Parks, events and culture may be direct expenses but they are also an investment in a community’s livability, happiness and well-being.  Creating vibrant communities is a proactive strategy to enhance experiences for residents, retain businesses and attract investment. 

publicly challenge council decisions or municipal leadership?

When residents publicly challenge council decisions or municipal leadership, it is an opportunity for engagement.  Accountability and transparency are the foundation of trust between residents and their local government.

Public challenges are often the result of lack of information. One of my campaign priories is Better Communication.  I want to be sure information is engaging, available from a variety of sources, is easily accessible, timely and relevant, written in understandable language.

Accountability means being answerable to the people who elected us, which means keeping our doors open and engaging respectfully, even when the conversations are difficult. 

My stance is straightforward: lay out the facts, explain the constraints and show the work. We won’t always agree on every outcome, but resident should at least understand the exact ‘why’ behind a council vote.

I encourage people to ask questions, attend meetings and contact Council directly. I welcome one-on-one, respectable conversations.  Not all answers are what you may want to hear but the process and decisions must be respected, whether you agree with them or not.