A city hall that works for you

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MAYORS BUDGET: 

This is what it is called now after provincial reforms are in effect. 

The office of the Mayor publishes a budget, and in 30  days it will be adopted, with or without any input from council. I have fought every time to reduce spending, proposing multiple amendments to cut out
unnecessary projects that would cost millions. Projects
such as renovating the city hall piazza estimated at 1.6
million.

I am always opposed to increasing our debt ceiling.

THE REGION: 

With major changes mandated by the province, your mayor will be your only representative at Regional council.  In the past 4 years Regional taxes have increased nearly 31%. 

As the years went by:

2023- 7.58%

2024- 7.04%

2025- 9.6%

2026- 6.3%

This is almost double of the rate of inflation. 

With all of these increases, are you satisfied with garbage pickup? Roads and winter maintenance? Your water bill? Policing such as traffic
enforcement or criminal matters? Regional transit?

HOMELESSNESS: 

The City of Welland leased the land for the homeless shelter on Ontario Road. The Region decides policies and direction for the operation of the shelter. The situation needs to improve- both for people who need the
shelter, and for the neighbourhoods and businesses
surrounding it. 

As your mayor, I will be committed at the
Region to make the shelter work for all of us.

PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL LANDS: 

As per the city of Welland’s Official Plan, and as per the Provincial Policy
Statement- prime agricultural lands are to be protected.
Development should occur where city services exist.

WELLAND HOSPITAL:  Council voted to approve local share
funding towards the Niagara South Hospital. We are told by
NHS that the Welland Hospital Site will stay open, but what
services will be available remains in question.  We are a
growing city- I will be advocating for all of
the services that Welland deserves.

DEVELOPMENTS AND PARKING: 

Do you know why we have issues with parking requirements in new developments?

In 2017 when our zoning bylaw was passed it only required
0.3 spaces if the dwelling unit is under 50 square metres of
floor space. Residents attending public hearings are
shocked to learn this is acceptable.

High density developments can have far fewer spaces
than units, and no visitor spaces are required! This leads to
streets in established neighbourhoods full of parked cars.
I have been fighting for increasing parking requirements for
new high density developments. My notice of motion was
to raise the parking space requirements to 1.1 per unit,
guaranteeing one per unit and visitor spaces.

TAXES AND CORPORATE CULTURE: 

I have consistently looked for ways to save at budget time. I have voted
against new full time employees that increase the size of the bureaucracy, and strain our operational budget. This leaves less funds to fix and build our infrastructure, like roads, sewers and sidewalks. 

How well is city hall serving you? 

My goal is to improve corporate culture at city hall.

It starts at the top. We work for you.