Who this Platform is for:

Seniors who want to stay in the community they helped build
Families trying to manage rising costs
Young people who want to put down roots
Volunteers who keep community life alive
Business owners who need predictability
Residents who want change, but not chaos

The Issues

Efficiency is about doing things better, not doing less.

A New Council will:

reduce duplication
coordinate work more effectively
focus staff and resources where they have the greatest impact
unlock community investment instead of relying solely on tax dollars

This includes:

longer-term leases for community groups so they can access grants and loans
smarter coordination of studies and projects
clearer priorities so staff are not pulled in too many directions at once

Efficiency that Protects Services

Open Doors, Open Government.

Transparency isn’t a slogan. It’s a habit.

As Mayor, I will operate with:

an open-door policy
regular engagement with staff, unions, business owners, community groups, and fellow councillors
a commitment to respond quickly when issues arise

Practical Transparency Measures

A lobbyist disclosure system so residents know who is influencing decisions

Clear explanations for closed-door meetings
Recorded votes on major financial decisions
Plain-language communication that respects residents’ time

The Goal

Trust is built when people understand how decisions are made.

Transparency, Trust, and Open Leadership

A Better Way to Plan

I am not anti-development.
I am pro-planning.

Scugog CAN and SHOULD grow, but growth must be:

affordable
diverse
appropriate for young families
supportive of seniors looking to downsize
respectful of the small-town character residents value

This means:

slowing down rushed approvals
listening before deciding
making space for public input that actually matters
planning infrastructure alongside growth, not after

The Commitment

Growth should strengthen the community, not overwhelm it.

Governance that Respects People

Financial Responsibility

What This Means

Financial responsibility is not about cutting services.
It is about using public dollars with care and intention.

A New Council will:

plan beyond a single budget year
focus on value, not just spending
protect reserves so they are there when truly needed
prioritize fixing what we already have before expanding further

The Goal

Stability today, sustainability tomorrow — without pushing costs onto the next generation.

Strategic Investment in Roads & Infrastructure

Roads are one of Scugog’s most important shared assets.

Financial responsibility is not about cutting services.
It is about using public dollars with care and intention.

We will:

accelerate road renewal
use larger, bundled paving contracts
coordinate with the Region and senior levels of government
pave efficiently from April through November
communicate clearly so residents know what’s coming and when

This is about fixing roads once, properly, and moving on.

A Community that Works for All Ages

Affordability for Families and Seniors

0% municipal tax increase in 2027, focused on limiting tax increases moving forward
Frozen recreation fees starting in 2028
Support for seniors struggling to stay in their homes
Help for residents navigating downsizing within the community

Aging With Dignity

Protecting those who built and stewarded this
community means:

exceeding accessibility standards where possible
using existing staff more effectively to keep sidewalks, hydrants, and culverts clear
supporting aging-in-place while enabling right-sized housing options

We will not govern with a heavy hand. We will govern with care and compassion.

Safety as a Core Value

As an emergency services professional, safety is not abstract to me — it is operational.

I will establish a Community Safety Committee working closely with:

Durham Regional Police
local schools
community organizations

Focus areas will include:

break-ins and vehicle theft
road safety
boat launch, fishing, and ice safety
fraud and financial crimes targeting seniors
closely track response times
identify where delays are occurring
publish a public dashboard so residents can follow progress

Safety improves when it is measured, and when leadership is accountable.