My Vision For Wallaceburg

My vision for the future is coloured by what I know our town was and, I believe, can become again.

I’m tired of seeing our neighbourhoods hollowed out with homes left vacant or trashed in the midst of a housing crisis.

I’m tired of our young people being unable to find work that will allow them to afford a livable home and turning to drugs in desperation.

I’m tired of seeing those who have turned to crime released time after time to victimize those who are trying to make an honest way in the world.

I’m tired of excuses from those in charge.

Municipal government alone cannot fix society, but it can do its part to improve people's lives. Our elected officials need to remember who they serve and why they hold office.

We need to deliver basic services as effectively as possible while investing in our community. We need to remember that tax dollars are hard-earned.

We need to work with senior levels of government to correct funding inequities that reduce the amount of money local councils have to spend.

• The most visible issue in our community is homelessness and the petty crime and drug addiction that goes along with it. We need a multi-disciplined approach where we target the root causes not just the symptoms of poverty and addiction. At the same time, we also need to address the concerns of property owners near encampments

• We need to grow our economic base in the face of international uncertainty. That means investing in infrastructure so we are ready for opportunities as they arise. We need to invest in skills training so we have a workforce ready for those opportunities.

• We need to continue to pursue the most cost-efficient ways to deliver the services our residents expect.