Priorities for New Tecumseth in the Coming Year

My priority for New Tecumseth in the coming year would be managing growth responsibly while protecting affordability, accountability and the quality of life of residents who already live here.

I recognize that there are several important priorities facing our community, and it is difficult to identify just one. However, financial affordability is a serious concern for me. Many households are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities and just about everything else. I have real concerns about continually increasing the burden on property taxpayers at a time when families, seniors and businesses are already feeling stretched.

The Town has responsibilities and infrastructure needs that can’t simply be ignored, but I believe every significant expenditure needs to be looked at carefully. What do we need? What can wait? Are there alternatives? Are we getting good value for taxpayers’ money? And what will today’s decision cost residents five or ten years from now?

Growth also needs to pay an appropriate share of the infrastructure and services it requires. We shouldn’t approve growth and then leave existing taxpayers continually trying to catch up with the infrastructure demands it creates.

At the same time, we need to address the everyday issues residents are raising roads, traffic and pedestrian safety, parking, accessibility, recreation and maintaining the infrastructure we already have.

The goal isn’t to stop change. It’s to manage it responsibly and make choices we can actually afford.

New Tecumseth should remain a community where people can afford to live, raise their families, retire and enjoy the community they call home. To me, protecting that affordability has to be part of every major decision Council makes.