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.

Basically we need to attract higher paying industries , advanced manufacturing technology, specialized trades and less low wage service sectors to raise the overall economy wage average

My priority for the first year would be getting the new Council organized, informed and focused on what needs to be accomplished over the next four years.

Following inauguration and Council training, one of our first major responsibilities will be the 2027 Budget. That will include some significant decisions about recreation, including the proposed sports dome, indoor pool and the future of the Beeton arena. These are major investments, and we need to look carefully at need, timing, affordability and the impact each would have on taxpayers.

I would also like the new Council to receive a comprehensive status update on the major projects and commitments already approved or underway including the Collingwood water treatment and transmission projects, Fire Station 4, wastewater capacity, roads and bridges, and our other major capital projects.

From there, I believe Council should establish a clear list of priorities for the term, identify realistic timelines and funding requirements, and create a framework that allows us and the public to track our progress. There will always be new ideas and new requests, but before adding more to the list, we need to understand what is already on it, what it will cost and what we realistically have the capacity to complete.

For me, the first year is about setting the new Council up for success: get informed, establish our priorities & committee commitments, make responsible financial decisions and then get to work delivering them.

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.

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.

As a council we will need to determine our priorities together in a cohesive fashion. Split votes down the middle haven't benefited our residents in the least. Now with a council of 9 that shouldn't be happening. Hopefully, during the campaigning, councillors have determined the focus of their ward and are ready to represent it moving forward. Big issues on the horizon are growth, maintenance of existing infrastructure, the health/wealth of our community, and the establishment of new recreation opportunities.

My first priority as head of council will be to get all members of the council to join in serving all our residents.

The current split in council will need to be rectified in order to make the best decisions for NewTecumseth.

The second priority has to be a resolution to the issues that divide our town. We are not the people of Alliston or the people of Beeton and the people of Tottenham. All of us are NewTecumseth and the unification has to start with unbiased leadership and a stronger vision for tomorrow.