Ward 2 Councillor

Keep property taxes as low as reasonably possible; make better use of development charges and other funding, and question how public money is spent.

Points to four straight property-tax increases; wants careful oversight of spending while protecting essential services.

Cites council's financial management as a key achievement of the term.

Property taxes and fees should not be the only answer; find new revenue, such as privately run digital ad boards on city land, and show residents where tax dollars go.

Make better use of planning and zoning tools to encourage housing.

Homes that working families, seniors, young people and people with disabilities can actually afford.

Review rules for second suites and home offices to cut delays while keeping inspections; fight for genuinely affordable housing.

Compassion, but without normalizing unacceptable behaviour: enforce the rules while creating pathways to treatment, recovery and stability. Notes many tools sit with other governments.

"Homelessness is not a crime." Housing First with mental health, addiction and income supports; once shelter alternatives exist, consistently enforce rules against violence, vandalism and unsafe encampments.

Says homelessness requires accountability and real solutions; supports partnerships for housing, mental health and addiction services, and the County of Simcoe's bridge housing.

Support shelters and treatment facilities while exploring community-based solutions.

Shelters were meant to be temporary; wants a long-term plan with all three levels of government, more supportive housing and a supervised washroom for people living on the street.

Enforce existing laws and give police adequate resources; says policing is not always the right response to mental health and addiction.

Consistent bylaw enforcement, better lighting and faster cleanups downtown; says safety and disorder need both compassion and accountability.

Says he fought for a downtown police patrol that grew from 2 officers to 16, and credits ending a prisoner-release program for fewer released inmates being dropped off in Barrie.

Says downtown is no longer safe even for walking; make it safer so businesses grow and visitors feel welcome.

Says many residents feel downtown is no longer safe; more people downtown would improve the sense of safety.

Transit investment should improve frequency and reliability; invest in roads, transit and underground infrastructure.

Hears concerns about deteriorating roads, flooding, speeding and aging infrastructure.

Fix streets that have never been fixed and add traffic signals.

Growth should build on what makes communities special, with change managed carefully so success works for everyone; development should pay its share of the infrastructure it needs.

Growth must bring better housing, businesses and safer streets while respecting existing neighbourhoods; growth without the systems to support it is not responsible planning.

New development should be well planned, protect the waterfront and neighbourhood character, and come with infrastructure and services. Backs the new stadium to help revitalize the west end of downtown.

Plan infrastructure well in advance as Barrie grows.

Limits and fines for developers who hold land too long or flip it; approved downtown projects need stronger policies to move ahead on time.

Connect people struggling with mental health and addiction to services.

Better access to mental health and addiction services, alongside supportive housing and outreach.

Council should keep balancing compassion and enforcement and support the County's addiction treatment.

Separate strategies for unhoused people and for people with addictions; long-term medical and social care, possibly legislated for those who are a danger to themselves or others.

Make it easier for businesses to operate, grow and invest in Barrie.

Partner with property owners to bring in private investment and fill empty storefronts; reduce unnecessary barriers to investment.

Says Barrie has attracted new businesses and must keep doing so; more employment land will bring higher-paying local jobs.

Modernize regulations so residents and businesses invest and grow, including legal home-based businesses.

Says his approach rests on listening, collaboration and accountability rather than political rhetoric or party politics.

Calls for independent leadership that listens and asks difficult questions, and for oversight of city spending.

Break down how property taxes are spent so residents can hold council accountable.

Signed the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition's sustainability pledge, which commits signers to protecting natural heritage, farmland and clean water and to using green infrastructure.

Protect the waterfront as Ward 2 grows.

Streets and parks should get the attention they deserve; build safer roads, parks and neighbourhoods.