Priorities for New Tecumseth in the Coming Year

Too ambiguous a question, in light of ongoing economic uncertainty. Areas we need to focus on are:

-Careful expenditure of increasingly difficult to obtain tax revenue (difficult in that the rate payers are finding it hard to balance their household books, as are many area business interests).

-Balancing the creation of recreational activities and structures against the cost to ensure we are getting the best use-to-cost ratio possible. Many recreational facilities operate on a negative capital return, but the benefit to the community is high. This requires a careful balance. -New Tecumseth must also work harder to attract more industry to our area. These interests provide good-paying opportunities to our local workforce. Typically, retail and service providers in bedroom communities tend to suffer during economic slowdowns. which is why the infusion of new industry and commercial interests are a benefit. These will also provide opportunities for our youth to work and live in the community, reducing the need for long, and increasingly costly commutes.

There are other issues, but the ongoing flux in our economic fabric will make for a shifting target.