What I'll stand for at the council table

Back to basics: lower taxes

Life is expensive right now, and I understand how much that pressure weighs on families and seniors on fixed incomes. Government shouldn't be adding to that burden.

• The math has to change. Property taxes have risen close to 30% over the last term, without a matching improvement in services. That's not sustainable, and it's not fair to residents. Taxes should be reduced to a more manageable level.
• Taxes shouldn't outrun inflation. Your property tax growth should be tied to inflation, not to Council's appetite for new spending.
• A 100-day financial and governance review. Within my first 100 days, I'll push for a full, public review of Town spending and governance so residents can clearly see where every dollar goes, and where we can do better.
• Hold the line on staffing and spending. Before adding headcount or new budget lines, we should first ask whether the Town should even be adding a new service, or whether the same service can be delivered through smarter use of what we already have.
• Growth should lower your bill, not raise it. As Huntsville's overall assessment base grows, that should create efficiencies that reduce each household's individual share, not fund more spending.

Focused excellence: real value for your tax dollar

Residents rely on the Town for the basics every day. Those basics deserve to be done exceptionally well.

• Fast, predictable service. You shouldn't have to chase Town Hall to get an answer. I'll push for clear, published turnaround times for permits, applications, and service requests, and for the Town to actually meet them.
• Fix the planning and building process. Right now, it's frustrating and unfair for everyday residents to navigate. I'll push to simplify and clarify the process up front, with a fast-tracked, plain-language path for simple, common applications — building a deck, adding a secondary suite, or minor renovations — so people aren't stuck waiting months for straightforward projects, or having the goalposts move halfway through the process.
• A voice for healthcare. We should be planning for the future of Huntsville's healthcare needs. Council should be an active, vocal partner in advancing a sustainable future hospital for our community, and in encouraging more family doctors into our town.
• Housing that fits our neighbourhoods. We need more housing options for young families, seniors looking to downsize, and workers who keep our local economy running. This should be done in a way that respects the scale and character of existing neighbourhoods, with a simpler approval process for gentle, sensible additions like secondary suites and infill housing, and not with expensive and experimental government-funded projects.

Small, open government

• Back to basics, every time. Every new initiative Council considers should be measured against one question: does this meet a core municipal responsibility and provide real value to residents? If it doesn't, I won't support spending your time or tax dollars on it. That means fewer distractions and more focus on what matters: responsive services, safe communities, and better affordability. And the same question should be asked of what we already fund: programs and line items that no longer meet a core municipal responsibility or deliver real value shouldn't keep getting renewed simply because they're already in the budget.
• Focus on essential services. Where Ontario statutes don't require a service, Council should carefully weigh whether the Town should be providing it at all. Many issues are better, and more efficiently, solved by our exceptional and creative citizens.
• Trust residents to build community. Huntsville's strength comes from empowered citizens and organizations. Groups like The Table Soup Kitchen, the Corner Lighthouse, the Salvation Army, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Rotary Club, and local churches, do more for this community than government programs ever could. Council's job is to get out of their way, not compete with them.
• Stay out of residents' lives, property, and business. Government should default to minimal involvement, and trust residents to run their own lives and make their own decisions.
• Support local business without corporate welfare. I'll champion Huntsville's local businesses and tourism sector, expecting good ideas to stand on their own, not depend on Town subsidies to survive.
• No competing with the private sector. The Town shouldn't use tax dollars to compete with local businesses.
• A council seat is a duty, not a platform. I'm running to serve this community, not to build a resume or advance personal projects, now or later.

Preserve the character of Huntsville

• A community that looks out for its neighbours. Huntsville is a place where neighbours still know and care for each other. That's rare, and it's worth protecting as we grow.
• Protect the small-town feel. Our historic downtown and quaint, walkable character are part of what makes people want to live here, and what draws the visitors our local businesses depend on. Growth should reinforce that character, never erase it.
• Celebrate our history. Huntsville has a proud place in Canadian history and culture, and we should celebrate it, not let it fade into the background.
• Clean, safe public spaces. Our parks and public spaces should be well-maintained, clean, and safe for families to enjoy.
• Protect our lakes, rivers, and forests. Our waterfront, wetlands, and forests are the natural resources that define this region. I'll push to steward them responsibly and take local pollution, dumping, and littering seriously. The natural beauty of Huntsville is core to this town's character, and never an afterthought.