All Candidates Meeting Recap

Good evening everyone: Many of you know me, a lot of you don’t, but have may have heard of me.

First off, it is a privilege to be able to run in an election, secondly, it is a privilege to vote in one. With Remembrance Day around the corner, it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the high cost of freedom and how precious it is. 

I grew up on a farm in Logan township. Graduated from St. Patrick’s Dublin, Mitchell High school, Fanshawe and Conestoga Colleges. I have lived in West Perth most of my life.  I currently live in Mitchell.

I have worked in trades for 40 years and owned my own business for 29 of those years. I have been fortunate enough in that time to work across the province and I can assure you West Perth is a great place to come home to.

I have always paid attention to the ‘goings on’ in the municipality and I think it is well run.  I know many members on the existing council personally and overall; I think they are doing a good job. I also like that there is good mixture of ages so we have multiple perspectives at the table.

Reflecting on what to campaign for I thought about the good things West Perth now has to offer

• Roads and bridges are maintained; snow removal is good there is planned growth with infrastructure planned and installed
• Municipal facilities have been upgraded, modernized or replaced over several years. Landfill, Ambulance station, Town hall, Fire Hall, Public works facilities, the Henry Streey bridge, Arena upgrades and the Russeldale roundabout to mention a few.
•  A lot of the ‘big stuff’ is done, aside from ongoing repairs & upgrades we are in good shape for years to come. I believe that is a result of good municipal government.

If you Look at other similar sized towns in the area Mitchell has so much going for it

• Numerous sports tournaments
• A beautiful, thriving downtown with very few empty stores,
• The Lion’s Zoo
• The Mitchell fair is superior to anything in a similar sized town, the demolition derby alone draws thousands of fans
• Library

• Pool
• Tailgate Festival

• Soap box races
• I feel we need to continue down this path and keep West Perth a great Municipality for future generations

My Interests for the Municipality

• Continue with proper planning maintenance and controlled growth
• Affordable housing is a great concern at this time; I think steps are being taken currently.  I expect the municipality to apply for benefits from the Federal BCSF and Provincial MHIP programs that we are eligible for.
• The strong Mayors act when properly applied, will help fast track urban development
• I am excited about the implementation of the Recreation, Parks and Trails Master Plan, I look forward to the long term, responsible implementation of this plan.
• Encouraging industries and businesses to locate in West Perth, the Heron Business park plan is in place

If elected I certainly have no plans to come in and ‘shake things up’ with all kinds of big changes and new plans. I will be ‘the new guy’, I plan to be quiet, listen and learn, and I will have a lot to learn.

Using my business experience, I feel need to act in a way and remember that we are the service provider and the people of the West Perth are the paying clients. We need to provide quality services economically. I believe I can make valuable contributions as a member of West Perth Municipal council.

Thank you.