Key Priorities

As Mayor, I would serve our community as part of the full Council team and I would take this responsibility seriously. Being a leader is not about bullying and intimidating Members of Council to agree. Instead, it is about fostering a positive and productive environment where all Members of Council are able to share their views on behalf of their constituents and to actively contribute to improving the quality of life of McNab/Braeside residents. Therefore, it is important to note that these policies are my ideas to move McNab/Braeside forward; however, it will ultimately be up to Council as a whole to discuss and decide how it should move forward together.

Providing Real Leadership for Council and the Community

• Lead based on the values of transparency, accountability and openness for all municipal matters including through continued social media communication, introduction of frequent Mayor’s Updates on Township and County business, transparency in mayoral meeting schedules (you should know who I meet with) and supporting use of live-streaming technology for all Council and committee meetings.
• Adopt a comprehensive Strategic Plan that determines the Township’s priorities over the next four years through active consultation with Members of Council, Township staff and community members.
• Adopt a Community Engagement Strategy and other modernized public engagement policies to ensure that the Township works proactively beyond legislative minimums to get residents involved in the important decisions that impact them most (i.e. planning, land use, master plans, etc.).
• Create Standing Committees that allow residents to offer recommendations to Council on a regular basis while also providing an opportunity for active engagement by all Members of Council in the various areas of the Township operations.
• Provide leadership on working with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to tackle speeding across the region through increased public education and active cooperation between the Township, stakeholders and local residents.
• Represent McNab/Braeside at the County of Renfrew and bring regular updates to Township Council and the community on County affairs.
• Champion McNab/Braeside and our interests across the community, at the County of Renfrew and beyond.

Supporting Enhanced Parks and Recreation Programming

• Support Township Parks and Recreation staff as they create innovative programs and activities by harnessing user ideas and feedback.
• Working alongside community members, create a multi-year plan to further develop Clay Bank Nature Park for Outdoor Learning as an nature-based educational destination for local residents and tourists alike, especially children.
• Adopt a Recreation Master Plan for our entire community to identify current gaps in program offerings and how we can serve residents in all corners of McNab/Braeside.
• Study the long-term potential at Red Pine Bay and Braeside Beach with an eye to developing a connected and sustainable waterfront that brings our community together.
• Work with the County of Renfrew and other municipalities to build active transportation networks across the region.
• Maintain existing recreation and library use agreements and work with the Town of Arnprior and Arnprior Public Library to explore opportunities to enhance program offerings.

Building A Sustainable Community for Future Generations

Over the last few months, the McNab/Braeside community has been concerned about the potential installation of a Sustane Technologies pyrolysis plant at the Township landfill. Spearheaded in secret by the current Mayor, this proposed project has been placed on hold while it is studied by Township staff. The new Council will receive a staff report to consider the future of this project. As a sitting Councillor, I have reviewed the available information (including liaising with other municipal colleagues in Nova Scotia) and I have come to the conclusion that this project does not meet our community’s standards both financially and environmentally. As a result, I will oppose this project when it comes forward for Council consideration but I also know that Council as a whole must have the information that it needs to make an informed decision.

• Oppose all incineration, pyrolysis, gasification and other waste-to-energy processes that do not meet the needs of our community.
• Adopt a Sustainable Waste Management Strategy that identifies and prioritizes tools through which we can divert waste from going to the landfill while also maintaining strong health, environmental and financial standards for our community.
• Support financial planning policies that protect the financial integrity of the municipality (i.e. pay-as-you-go principles)
• Support continued training and development for Township staff to make sure that residents continue to benefit from a high-quality professional staff complement.