Track Record
Anyone can make promises at election time. For three years, I attended Council, read the reports, followed major files and helped residents bring their concerns forward. This is a record of that work.
How does a major project get this far before the real cost is clear?
The independent review found that early approvals were based on estimates that did not capture the full scope of the work.
As the projects developed, there were no formal checkpoints requiring Council to stop and reassess the cost, risk and readiness before moving ahead.
The lesson is simple: Council needs the full picture before the Town gets too far down the road.
Staff proposed limiting what owners of land in Development zones could build and where they could build it, as a way of preserving the land for future development.
I went to Council and argued that the Town should not protect its future plans by unfairly restricting how people use their own property.
Result: Council ultimately rejected the proposal.
The Town’s procedural by-law prevented residents from speaking to Council about matters that had already been the subject of a public meeting.
I went before the Accountability and Transparency Committee and argued that the by-law should be revised.
Result: The Committee passed a motion directing staff to review the provision. The Town later completed its broader procedural by-law review and adopted a new by-law.
I co-founded Community Matters, an open, discussion-based group where anyone in the community can sit down, talk and listen.
I also built its newsletter from scratch to help residents stay informed about local issues and Town decisions.
Result: Together, they created an ongoing place for residents to learn, participate and have a voice in local issues.
Town staff proposed clearing approximately 200 metres of trees along the Georgian Trail near Peel Street North.
I argued for the protection of the trees, the canopy they formed and the adjacent wetlands.
Result: The plan did not proceed.
I partnered with Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship to co-host a community stewardship circle on watershed matters
I also organized and chaired the Thornbury–Beaver Valley Lions Club Watershed Festival.
Result: I presented the Municipal Charter for Watershed Security to Council with the Ontario Headwaters Institute.
Servicing for a single lot threatened to tear up the Alice Street East linear park connection to the Beaver River Trail.
I argued that the park should be protected and the lot serviced from its other end.
Result: Council ultimately preserved the connection.
I went to Council to raise concerns about the dangers at the Goldsmith intersection and argued that the Town needed to work with the Ministry of Transportation to make it safer.
Result: Council directed staff to contact the Ministry. The Ministry reviewed the intersection and made safety recommendations.
I made a deputation asking Council to begin studying tourism carrying capacity now rather than wait until 2030, as proposed in the Destination Strategy.
Result: Council agreed to move the work forward.
Thornbury West has been identified as a future secondary planning area for years, with lands zoned for development but no secondary plan showing residents and developers what should go where or when.
I went to Council and pushed for a secondary plan.
Result: Council directed staff to report on what would be required to prepare it.