Beyond the Ordinary

"This is where our journey begins together. Get to know how I am committed to smart responsible choices and join me as I work to help us prosper and succeed together. I am glad you're here to be a part of our Ward 5 story."

Responsive, Responsible and Accountable

Should you give me the honour of representing you on council, I will work hard to ensure your inquiries are answered and they are given the priority status they deserve.  Remember, I will only be one vote on council, so while I may not be able to solve all of your issues, I can promise I will do my best to investigate possible resolutions. I will respect you with straight talk by answering your calls and following up with you. 

As you read through this portion of the website, you will learn that I am determined to fight unfair taxation and rising costs. I will be questioning our soaring community debt and its impact on our tax levy. I don't believe in growth for growth's sake. I have seen what happens when uncontrolled growth outstrips our service levels. I also want to protect our beautiful natural spaces--forests, river and shoreline. I believe Ward 5 residents deserve honesty, integrity, accountability and smart decision-making.  

MY PLATFORM

 Fair taxation...Communication...Strong Ward Representation  

Fair Taxation

The current administration does not publicly review operating expenses when they are tabled each year in the budget. I find that very troubling. I want to encourage a fiscal culture that at least tries to curb expenses in a transparent manner. The trend to continue raising taxes beyond the rate of inflation is not sustainable--neither is it fair. The tax increase of 5% in 2025 shown above, does not include the storm water tax collected for that year. 

With people struggling every day to stretch a dollar to cover increasing food and housing costs, council has an obligation to do what it can to improve the cost of living in Georgina. 

I believe that budget decisions made at the council table need to be filtered through a cost/benefit analysis where the benefit to the residents clearly wins out in the debate. 

When the current Mayor came into power in 2016, Georgina's debt load was around $12.3 million. By next year, it will be over $124 million. I am concerned that tax levy monies needed to service our debt have already increased substantially to around $3.3 million annually.

 

Communications

As a professional journalist, I get frustrated when elected officials deflect my questions and have staff respond with the party line. Even more frustrating is a councillor who does not communicate with constituents at all--or only does so through a photo op. 

I have spent most of my adult life managing a communications portfolio in one way or another. Most recently as the founder/publisher/editor of the ever-popular Pefferlaw/Georgina Post prior to selling it in 2019. 

I also hosted and co-hosted the Rogers TV Georgina programs Politically Speaking and That's My Story. And I was regularly asked to moderate election debates for Rogers TV and the Pefferlaw Area Residents organization. 

I want to create a culture within Ward 5 that respects people's right to know what their elected officials are doing and why. Residents also deserve to have a council representative that will listen to them. Nothing is more frustrating than when residents take time out of their busy schedules to provide their opinions on an issue at a community engagement session only to discover no one was listening.

We have a lot to offer in Ward 5...a drug store, a doctor's office, a dentist, a York Region EMS station, an LCBO outlet, four industrial enterprises, a fire station, a library, community hall with sporting amenities, service shops, shopping outlets, restaurants and a community garden maintained by the Georgina Brock Garden Club.

And, let's not forget the economic fortunes built into our existing lakefront parks and marinas. We have it all for anyone who wants to respect our lifestyle and our natural treasures. 

 

 

Strong Ward Representation 

I have been at the forefront addressing community issues for years. I have never been shy about taking our interests to council through deputations and negotiations with council members and staff. 

I particularly remember bringing my lawyer with me to a council meeting to protest against Mayor Quirk and council passing a by-law that would use our taxes to sue members of the public for defamation. We argued it was unconstitutional and would chill free speech. The by-law was never passed. 

Certainly Ward 5 could use a shot in the arm to increase our economic development horizons. And a Northlander train stop would certainly help out in that area. I think council needs to bump up its approach to this issue so Pefferlaw can be seriously considered a contender when the Northlander organization reviews the route two years from now. I intend to continue lobbying for this--together with the protest against the proposed aerodrome. 

Affordable housing for our growing senior population is a major concern in Ward 5. I want to explore expanding the housing opportunities at Rixon Manor to meet the affordable housing needs of our seniors. 

The Holmes Point Park design presented by consultants that were hired by Georgina council needs to be filtered through the voices of our community before any work is initiated. 

In addition, let's explore together an opportunity to make greater use of our two baseball diamonds and soccer pitch! 

 

More Beyond the Ordinary

I believe that Ward 5 is the jewel in Georgina's crown--maybe even York Region's. We are so lucky to be surrounded by significant natural features that protect us from urban planning and development. We have three York Region forestry tracts, the Pefferlaw River and one of Georgina's longest stretches of Lake Simcoe waterfront. We are rural and we like it that way. 

PRESERVE AND PROTECT

Significant Natural Features 

The Pefferlaw Tract: This trail from Lakeridge Road leads to the heart of the Pefferlaw Tract. It has 576 hectares with trails for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing, featuring a moderate 4.4-mile loop trail. It can be accessed from a small parking lot off Lakeridge Road and on Pete's Lane in Pefferlaw.

The Cronsberry Tract: is a 1.5-kilometre, multi-use recreational trail located at 9526 Old Homestead Road in Pefferlaw. It offers natural terrain for activities like hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing, open 365 days a year with free access.

The Pefferlaw Woodlands Trail: is located off of Forestry Drive in the Woodlands Subdivision. It is a very quiet trail that leads visitors along the beautiful Pefferlaw River. Visitors will most likely see a mix of wildlife as well as people paddling down the river. 

 

PRESERVE AND PROTECT

The River and the Lake

It was the river that brought Pefferlaw its fortunes when it was discovered by Capt. William Johnston in the early 1820s--three dams were built on it to operate three mills; a shoot was constructed so logs could traverse the river to the lake for shipping from Port Bolster to export markets and an early sucker fishery sold to U.S. markets--all gave the village its footing toward economic prosperity. 

Today, the Pefferlaw River is a quiet stream providing a rich habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and a popular attraction for locals and eco-tourists alike. 

Ward 5 can boast some of the finest Lake Simcoe beaches found in Georgina. The Ward has the longest Lake Simcoe waterfrontage in Georgina so our residents and visitors alike can enjoy swimming, boating, year-round fishing and other water sports.