My goal is to make good things happen for Oshawa.
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Thank you for visiting my website. Under the "Blog" tab you can find my views on current issues and events.
Note: all content is written by me, apologies for any typos, spelling and awkward grammar.  

Please let me know ideas/suggestions/changes for Oshawa you'd like to share. Sharing ideas strengthens them!
​I look forward to listening to those with interests in Oshawa. Hope we  can connect! 
​email rmcconkey@oshawa.ca  phone 905-436-5615

I am committed to the City of Oshawa achieving a more prosperous and vibrant future.

With the challenges that lie ahead, especially concerning planning for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Oshawa Council needs to lead with changes and specific plans to help boost economic recovery.

Council should also be open to implementing ideas where municipal governance can be improved.

Like many Oshawa residents, I believe Oshawa's property taxes must not be a struggle, but affordable. Since being sworn into office December 2018 I have attempted to tackle the City's taxation and traffic issues. Speeding, intrusive driving on roads that are frequently over-capacity negatively impact our health and safety, the environment, and the economy.

In my opinion, another main priority is the need for Council to increase civic engagement so people can truly believe in Oshawa.  Believing in Oshawa is important for the well-being of all Oshawa residents. Consider how feeling positive about where you live and work is an attitude that formulates good memories for life, and also generates goodwill that forms an image in the minds of others that serves to propel many successes.

I take my job as City Councillor for Oshawa's new northern Ward 1 very seriously. Please know that with energy, ideas and action, I dedicate my term in office both to championing and accomplishing positive change. 

As the Council member appointed to the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) I am determined to work at increasing accessibility in Oshawa. Those with disabilities must be able to participate in a city that is barrier free - my main focus is to see Oshawa's downtown property owners and new home developments implement measures for built-in accessible entrances!

As the Council member elected Vice-Chair of Oshawa Development Services Committee and member of the City's Finance Services Committee my goal is to raise public awareness to the variety of matters and issues that arise, to respond to constituent's concerns and make motions where I believe improvements can and should be enacted.
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I have been passionate in caring about our community.  In 2012 I was awarded the Queen's Diamond-Jubilee medal for community service. Also, with over 25 years operating my own brokerage, I have insights into how property taxes, official plans and land-use policies impact communities.

I feel fortunate to have lived both a rural and urban life. It is important to make sure Oshawa Council is responsive to Ward 1's specific issues and gives balanced support to both the urban growth areas and vital farm operations here.
  
My work experience and my community involvement in a broad range of issues allowed me to successfully reach out to people and help them to work together.  I draw on that foundation to motivate me and help to give new direction to Oshawa Council.  For your information, below are some of the changes I initiated and worked hard to accomplish before being elected:

  • Organized public meetings, a sign campaign and a bus rally to Queen's Park in 2010 to lobby the Province, and Kathleen Wynne, who was Minister of Transportation at the time, for the extension of Hwy 407E beyond Simcoe Street RESULT:  407E phase I extended additional 7 kilometres east to Harmony Road   
  • Made numerous delegations to Region Council and organized public rallies to ensure that public safety at the dangerous Ritson-Winchester intersection was made a priority. RESULT: Road reconstruction and traffic lights installed at Ritson and Winchester    
  • Made presentations pressing both the City and Region to web-stream their meetings, allowing working, vacationing or  housebound residents to stay informed.  RESULT:  Meetings are now web-streamed and archived   
  • Organized the ‘Council on a Diet’ fundraiser involving politicians from across the Region with proceeds to Feed the Need in Durham.  RESULT:   $10,000 raised for the local food bank charity   
  • In 2012 launched and ran an essay/speech competition ‘Local Look Back’ engaging both  school boards and  municipal councils to bring students into local Council Chambers to present their essays and learn more about their community’s past and local governance.  RESULT:   Enthusiastic youth engagement
  • Requested to have Committee of Adjustment meeting agendas and minutes made  public on the city website. RESULT:  C of A agendas and minutes are now online      
  • Requested to  have a record of past  Oshawa Mayors on the City web page. RESULT:  Historical record of past Mayors is now documented on  City website