PRIORITIES

Listening first. Planning responsibly. Delivering the services residents rely on.

These three priorities provide the foundation for my campaign. They are starting points, not the end of the conversation.

OPEN, TRANSPARENT & ACCESSIBLE GOVERNMENT

Residents should be able to understand how decisions are made, find the information they need and have meaningful opportunities to be heard.

As Reeve, I would lead with openness, accessibility, accountability and respect, while working collaboratively with Council and staff to strengthen public trust and engagement.

Select a subcategory to read the full priority.

Transparent Decision-MakingMake information easier to access and explain what decisions are made and why.

Promote open and transparent decision-making at Township Hall.
Communicate clearly so residents understand not only what decisions are made, but why.
Work with Council and staff to make staff reports and supporting information available to the public with Council and committee agendas wherever legally permitted.
Strengthen public trust through openness, consistency, accountability and leadership that respects the responsibility of public office.

Modern, Accessible Township CommunicationImprove the Township website, provide timely updates and work toward live and recorded meetings.

Improve the Township website's accessibility, usability and organization so residents can find important information more easily.
Use practical, modern communication channels to keep residents informed between Council meetings and provide timely updates on major projects and decisions.
Work toward live and recorded video of Council and committee meetings, and explore hybrid participation options where they are practical, affordable and permitted by Township procedures.
Make public notices, budgets, planning information, roadwork updates, election information and key dates easier to find and understand.

Collaborative Leadership & AccountabilityLead professionally, respect differing viewpoints and remain accessible throughout the full term.

Respect democracy, the role of every elected member, and the distinct responsibilities of Council and municipal staff.
Lead with professionalism, collaboration, accountability and respect for differing viewpoints.
Be visible, approachable and accessible throughout the full term, not only during an election campaign.
Actively seek resident input, follow up on concerns and explain how public input was considered when important decisions are made.

Resident & Civic EngagementCreate practical opportunities for residents to participate before major decisions are made.

Create more opportunities for residents to provide input before major decisions through public consultation, surveys, community conversations and other appropriate engagement methods.
Make it easier for residents to understand how to contact Council, provide comments, make a delegation and participate in municipal decision-making.
Encourage participation from residents of different ages, backgrounds and parts of the Township so community input reflects Beckwith as a whole.
Partner with local schools and community organizations, where possible, to help young people understand municipal government and civic participation.

RESPONSIBLE GROWTH & FAIR, CONSISTENT PLANNING WHILE PRESERVING BECKWITH'S RURAL HERITAGE

Growth should be thoughtful, fair and planned with the future in mind.

Beckwith can grow while protecting its rural character, agricultural community, natural environment and quality of life, but growth needs to be supported by appropriate infrastructure, services and transparent planning decisions.

Select a subcategory to read the full priority.

Rural Heritage, Agriculture & Local EconomyProtect Beckwith's rural character while supporting agriculture, local businesses and affected landowners.

Protect Beckwith's rural character and heritage as the Township plans for future growth.
Support the agricultural community and consider impacts on farmland and farm operations when planning growth, infrastructure and municipal services.
Support local, small, home-based and agricultural businesses through municipal policies, services and economic-development efforts that are within the Township's authority.
Champion community and economic events that strengthen local businesses, community connections and Beckwith's identity.
Advocate for meaningful consultation, direct communication with affected landowners, and protection of farmland, rural communities and natural heritage as major external projects, including the ALTO rail project, are planned.

Fair, Consistent Planning & Development DecisionsSupport clear, evidence-based processes and explain the reasons for recommendations and decisions.

Promote fair and consistent application of land-use planning policies in the Township's reviews, recommendations and decisions, while recognizing that every application has its own facts and circumstances.
Improve transparency around planning, development and severance matters so residents and applicants understand the process, the applicable policies and the reasons for recommendations and decisions.
Support evidence-based planning decisions that consider applicable legislation and plans, professional and staff advice, infrastructure impacts and meaningful public input.
Work with Township staff, Lanark County and other approval agencies to improve communication, identify avoidable delays and make planning processes clearer and more predictable where possible.

Growth-Aligned Infrastructure & Community ServicesPlan roads, drainage, fire protection, recreation and community facilities alongside growth.

Plan infrastructure and municipal services alongside growth, rather than reacting after development occurs.
Consider road capacity, drainage, fire protection, recreation, community facilities and long-term operating and replacement costs when evaluating growth and development.
Advocate with local school boards and the Province for school capacity that keeps pace with Beckwith's growth and the needs of local families.
Plan ahead so the costs and benefits of growth are understood and municipal funding tools are used responsibly to support the infrastructure new development requires.

Natural Environment & StewardshipProtect waterways, wetlands, natural heritage, green space and farmland while planning for resilience.

Support planning decisions that protect waterways, wetlands, natural heritage, green space and farmland as Beckwith grows.
Ensure development applications are considered in light of applicable environmental policies, studies and potential impacts, along with servicing, traffic and other planning factors.
Promote responsible stormwater, drainage and water-management practices that protect properties, roads and local waterways.
Consider long-term resilience to flooding, severe weather and changing infrastructure demands when planning municipal assets and future development.

RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE & RESPONSIBLE USE OF TAX DOLLARS

Focus on the infrastructure and services residents depend on every day.

Managing public dollars carefully and planning for long-term needs will support reliable services, responsible investment and strong value for taxpayers.

Select a subcategory to read the full priority.

Roads, Drainage & Core InfrastructurePrioritize roads, drainage, emergency services and connectivity using condition, safety, risk and long-term needs.

Make sure resident concerns about roads, drainage, ditches, culverts and related infrastructure are properly heard, assessed and followed up.
Prioritize maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement using condition, safety, risk, service needs and long-term lifecycle costs.
Plan vehicle, fleet, fire and emergency-equipment replacement in advance, and ensure the volunteer fire department has the equipment, resources, training and support needed as Beckwith grows.
Support a comprehensive Fire Service sustainability and compensation review covering firefighter compensation, call volumes, training, recruitment and retention, staffing, equipment, fleet replacement and facility needs, with comparisons to similar volunteer fire departments.
Complete a formal condition assessment of the Fire Hall and factor growth-related emergency-service capacity into long-term capital and service planning.
Advocate for and help facilitate improved broadband and cellular coverage where service gaps remain, working with service providers and other levels of government.

Long-Term Financial & Asset PlanningStrengthen capital and asset planning and make long-term costs and trade-offs clearer.

Promote disciplined spending and responsible financial management while protecting the municipal services residents rely on.
Strengthen multi-year capital and asset-management planning so future infrastructure needs, replacement schedules and funding pressures are identified early.
Make long-term costs, trade-offs and the implications of major financial decisions clearer to residents.
Base budget and capital decisions on actual community needs, long-term value and responsible use of available funding tools rather than short-term solutions.

Value for Money, Affordability & Outside FundingPursue outside funding, review value and improve awareness of available affordability programs.

Commit to fair, transparent and disciplined management of tax dollars rather than making promises that ignore the real cost of maintaining municipal infrastructure and services.
Review municipal services, contracts and major projects with a focus on service quality, accountability and value for taxpayers.
Maintain a consistent process for identifying and pursuing eligible provincial, federal and other funding opportunities for infrastructure, emergency services, community facilities and other municipal priorities.
Improve awareness of existing tax-relief and affordability programs available through Lanark County and other levels of government, including supports that may assist eligible low-income seniors and persons with disabilities, and advocate for improvements where gaps exist.
Review whether there are appropriate and legally available Township options that could complement existing affordability supports without compromising core services or shifting costs unfairly to other taxpayers.

An Age-Friendly, Accessible CommunityKeep Beckwith accessible and age-friendly through inclusive facilities, services, housing and information.

Continue improving the accessibility of Township facilities, communications, programs, events and public spaces for residents of all ages and abilities.
Consider accessibility and age-friendly design when planning or renewing community facilities, recreation spaces, pedestrian connections and other municipal infrastructure.
Explore opportunities for seniors' and age-friendly housing in Beckwith through appropriate land-use planning, partnerships, Lanark County coordination and available government funding.
Support aging in place by making municipal information and services easier to access and by helping residents connect with relevant programs and community resources.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

What should Beckwith's priorities be over the next four years?

I want these priorities to continue developing through conversations with the people who live and work here.

Tell me what matters to you