A Platform Built by Listening

Community

Creating Strong, Safe Neighbourhoods

All residents deserve to live in a community that is safe, has places for recreation, and is well kept.

Community Policing

• Continued support for our local police force, the Strathroy-Caradoc Police Department.
• Push for a satellite office in Mount Brydges to better serve Ward 2.

Fire Safety

• Support our volunteer firefighters, ensuring they have the tools to do their job in a safe and healthy manner.
• Ensure that there are always three fire halls — Strathroy, Mount Brydges and Melbourne.
• Complete plans for a new Mount Brydges fire hall.

Parks and Recreation

• Parks that are well maintained, safe and accessible.
• Finalize plans for a park in the north of Strathroy.
• Complete renovations to Tri Township Arena.

Seniors Programming

• Complete renovations of 137 Frank.
• Strengthen seniors programming in all communities.

Pride in Ownership

• Our communities need to be a place of pride — the kind of place industry and investors want to invest in.
• I will ensure that staff have the necessary resources to keep our communities clean and a place of pride.

Infill

• Infill projects should reflect the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Leadership

Steady Leadership

I will continue to provide calm, steady leadership to Council. We will build consensus and achieve positive results.

• As the head of Council, I will continue to build relationships with all levels of government and neighbouring municipalities — helping us gain grants and ensuring our voice is heard.
• Along with our CAO, we will create a workplace environment that fosters excellence and makes our Municipality a desired place to work.
• Provide leadership to the municipality so that residents feel we are in good, steady hands.

Accessibility

Open Door. Open Government.

“First door on the right.” My office will continue to be open to you. Come in the (open) front door of town hall, turn right, and my office is right there.

• I will always be accountable and accessible to you.
• Listen, listen, listen to you.
• We will strengthen our external communication so that you know what is going on.
• More reporting on the progress of capital projects and our financial position.

Growth

Creating Industrial Growth

Our future depends on industrial growth. I will continually push for more industry and more jobs.

I strongly believe our location on the 402 — an hour from the U.S. border and within reach of key Canadian markets — gives us an advantage we need to use. Industrial growth is key to our financial and community future.

A Plan Already on the Table

• Work toward fulfilling the recommendations in the Industrial Lands Strategy as presented to Council in 2025.

Two Key Areas of Concentration

• Short to mid term: Molnar Industrial Park.
• Long term: the Glendon Drive / 402 corridor.

Regional Growth

• Work with our neighbouring municipalities to create a regional industrial growth plan aimed at attracting large manufacturing.

Getting Us on the Map

• Work with our CAO and Director of Economic Development to raise the profile of Strathroy-Caradoc, both provincially and nationally.
• Be ultra-aggressive in pursuing new industry that complements what we already have and fits with our agricultural roots.
• Continue to foster relationships with all levels of government that lead to industrial growth and opportunity.

Town Maintenance

Roads, Water and the Basics — Done Right

Our roads, sewers, buildings and parks belong to you. We have a duty to maintain them and ensure that they last a long time.

A Four-Year Capital Plan

• The assets you own and paid for will be maintained and improved through a Council-approved, four-year capital budget plan.
• The four-year capital plan will be tied into the Asset Management Plan.
• Every municipality is challenged by its Asset Management Plan. It needs to be addressed through thoughtful, careful planning — it cannot be solved overnight.
• A multi-year capital budget allows for greater transparency and eventual cost savings, because we can go to market earlier and seek better tender pricing.

Following the Plans You Paid For

• Council and staff will follow the master plans — Roads, Water and Wastewater, and Recreation — that you have already paid for.
• Adopt the Mount Brydges wastewater plan that addresses the future of the plant.
• Develop a long term plan for a rail overpass in Strathroy.

Affordability

Respecting Your Tax Dollar

As your Mayor who listens to your concerns, and as a taxpayer myself, I recognize that people are feeling the pain of increases. Affordability is an every day reality. Over the next 4 years I pledge to concentrate on doing what we can to do our part to help lessen the impact.

We expect those entrusted with our tax dollars to spend them wisely, while ensuring value and a solid return on investment.

Keeping Increases in Check

• Work with Council to keep any possible increase at or below the annual rate of inflation.
• This is a responsible and reasonable approach to managing ever-increasing costs, while respecting and understanding that residents are facing increased pressures in daily life.

No Service Cuts

• Taxpayers expect us to maintain our current service levels in police and fire protection, snow removal and road repair.
• Community activities, youth & senior programs and customer service levels must be maintained.

Cutting Operating Costs

• Have staff justify and explain any budget difference greater than $25,000.
• Reduce our reliance on outside consultants.
• Aggressively pursue grants from all levels of government.

Modern Financial Oversight

• Continue to create modern financial policies that reflect our growing budget and governance needs.
• Implement proper, modern project approval and public reporting guidelines that bring normal business practices into effect.
• Create a Finance Committee, comprised of Council, that meets quarterly to review finances and project progress.