Stephanie MacLellan

A 5% increase in taxation for the Beeton Arena is not something I support. My approach is that the replacement of the arena is something the whole of New Tecumseth deserves. But that doesn’t mean we should shoulder the cost alone. Many municipalities have built state of the art rec facilities with grants and funding from higher levels of government. It is those relationships and governments that I will bring to the table and secure funding from. Our town pays its fair share of taxes, and our residents deserve to see value for it.

The Town can and should consider dual use of our sports facilities and green areas. My approach has always been an attentive and collaborative one. Considerations like this are exactly why I seek residents’ input on every file.

It is certainly frustrating to be sitting at a set of lights only to see that you are the only car waiting. Our light systems are often set up as safety measures rather than traffic control considering the speed and design of our rural roads. The lights in town are programmed to keep the flow of traffic moving. As our town grows though, traffic patterns change. As Mayor I will ensure that our public works department monitor and report on the state of traffic so that we can adjust based on real time data. One of the goals of that is to decrease those long lonely red lights.

New Tecumseth is uniquely situated. Close to the GTA and the largest urban area in Canada, a couple hours away from unspoiled natural beauty and located near the some of the worlds leading employers. It is no surprise that people who move here want to protect it. But the feeling of keeping others out stems from a history of prioritizing growth instead of residents. As Mayor I will ensure that any development adds to our town rather than extracts from it. That includes preserving the character of our towns, historical districts and commercial spaces.

I agree that the roads need far more attention than they currently receive. As mayor I will improve two aspects of road repair. The first is ensuring that development and construction include road repair as part of their operations. Too often a construction project or development destroys a road that the town and taxpayer must pay for. That is unfair.

Secondly investing in our roads is putting money back in taxpayers’ pockets. Fewer repairs and increased vehicle longevity are the result of better roads. Our residents deserve a mayor that prioritizes cost saving measures through road repairs while also realizing that investments also cost taxpayers. 

I am fully committed to exploring alternative, flexible and accessible transit models. On demand transit, targeted community shuttles, or regional rideshare partnerships are all available and proven alternatives. My goal isn't to run empty, expensive buses, but to find a smart, sustainable option that works for residents. We can have better transit; it just takes the will and leadership to bring who and what are needed to the table.

Communication is the key to good effective government. The strong mayor powers are a planning tool given by the province to circumvent municipalities' aversion to unsustainable growth. In New Tecumseth it was used when Council voted down a growth plan. As Mayor I will not ignore my fellow councillors and their constituents. Debate and consensus are not easy but real leadership means bringing the critics and the supporters into conversation to find common ground. I aim to be a Mayor for all and that means not using Strong Mayor powers to unilaterally decided how we grow. 

The growth of New Tecumseth means that we are facing many challenges in the coming year. With water supply increasing our ability to service new homes and businesses also increases. We will need steadfast leadership and management to ensure the coming growth benefits both new residents and current residents. With that increase in population, we also need a strong focus on jobs and the local economy. Teens especially are competing for fewer jobs. My goal is to change that and overhaul our economic development efforts to produce more results rather than accept the stagnation of the last few years. Lastly the town will need a concerted effort to keep the character of our town centres. This means only accepting growth that adds to the community rather than just adding more homes.