Energy, Commitment, Ideas and Action
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TIME TO TACKLE OSHAWA'S TAX & TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Thank you for visiting my website. Posted under my Blog tab here are some of my views on issues and current 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 am looking forward to listening to those with interests in Oshawa. Hope we can connect. 

My goal is to make good things happen for Oshawa.

I am committed to helping our city to do better and achieve a more prosperous and vibrant future.

Recognizing the challenges that lie ahead for the new Oshawa Council, I intend to expand and act on ideas where our municipal governance can be improved.

​There is a strong need for Council to put specific plans in place to boost our economic growth and to increase civic engagement so we can all believe in Oshawa!

Targeting our property tax affordability problem is a priority. So too is tackling our traffic problems ...speeding, intrusive driving on roads frequently over-capacity when travelling through or around the city negatively impact our health and safety, the environment and the economy.

With energy, commitment, ideas and action I am keen to take on the work of the ​1st City Councillor for Oshawa's new northern Ward 1 and champion positive change. 
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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. I will work to ensure Oshawa Council is responsive to our Ward 1's specific issues and gives balanced support to our urban growth areas and our vital farm operations.
  
From my work experience and from my community involvement in a broad range of issues, successfully reaching out to people and encouraging them to work together,  I have the motivation and foundation to invigorate and give new direction to Oshawa Council.  For your information, below are some of the changes I initiated and worked hard toward:

  • 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