MAYORS BUDGET:
Provincial legislation has eliminated our Budget Review Committee. The Mayor publishes a budget, and in thirty days it will be adopted, with or without any input from council. I have fought each time to reduce spending, proposing multiple amendments to cut out unnecessary projects that would cost millions. Wasteful projects such as renovating the city hall piazza estimated at $1.6 million. The tax increases we have experienced in recent years are not necessary.
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 in 2023- 7.58%, 2024- 7.04%, 2025- 9.6%, 2026- 6.3%. This is almost double of the rate of inflation. This is unsustainable. With these increases, are you satisfied with garbage collection?
Roads and winter maintenance? Your water bill? Policing-traffic enforcement or criminal matters? Regional transit This is almost double of the rate of inflation. This is unsustainable. With these increases, are you satisfied with garbage collection? Roads and winter maintenance? Your water bill? Policing-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 am committed to change policy 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 Planning Statement 2024 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 fighting 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 Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw was passed it only required 0.3 spaces if the dwelling unit is under 50 sq. m. of floor area. Residents that attend 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 dwelling unit, guaranteeing one per unit and visitor parking spaces.
TAXES AND CORPORATE CULTURE:
I have consistently looked for ways to save at budget time.
I have voted against new full-time employees.
I have voted against legacy capital projects.
We need to streamline city departments for efficiency, effectiveness and long-term affordability.
My goal is to improve corporate culture at city hall with qualified leadership.
It starts at the top. We work for you.