What I'm looking at for Ward 3.
These are the issues I hear about most from residents — and the ones I'll be focused on at Town Hall.
Growth & Development
New Tecumseth is growing quickly. The decisions we make now about where and how that growth happens will shape this community for decades.
- Ensure OPA 5 and future planning decisions reflect what residents actually want for their communities
- Protect agricultural land and rural character while accommodating responsible growth
- Push for growth that pays its own way through appropriate development charges
- Make sure Beeton, Alliston and Tottenham each grow in a way that supports their own businesses and services
Water, Wastewater & Infrastructure
Growth only works if the infrastructure can support it. Water and wastewater capacity need to keep pace — and existing residents shouldn't bear the full cost.
- Ensure water and sewage capacity decisions are made ahead of, not after, new development approvals
- Hold developers accountable for the servicing costs their projects create
- Prioritize maintenance of existing infrastructure before taking on new obligations
- Ask hard questions about long-term operating costs before approving capital projects
Taxes & Affordability
Many households are already stretched. Every spending decision at Town Hall needs to be weighed against what residents can actually afford.
- Ask whether a project is truly needed now before committing taxpayers to the cost
- Look for more cost-effective ways to achieve the same goals before approving large expenditures
- Pursue grants and alternative funding before defaulting to property tax increases
- Be transparent about the long-term operating costs of capital decisions, not just the upfront price
Roads, Traffic & Transportation
Roads are one of the most visible things a municipality manages. Ward 3 residents deserve roads that are safe, well-maintained and planned for the future.
- Address truck traffic and cut-through traffic in residential areas
- Prioritize road maintenance and rural road conditions across the ward
- Improve pedestrian safety near schools, parks and busy intersections
- Plan road networks that can handle future growth without downloading costs onto existing residents
Recreation, Parks & Community
Recreation matters to quality of life — but so does fiscal responsibility. New Tecumseth has real decisions ahead on the arena, an indoor pool and parks, and those decisions need to be made carefully.
- Support finding a responsible path to replacing the Beeton arena without an unaffordable tax increase
- Advocate for an indoor pool that serves the whole community — and ensure the planning and funding are done right
- Protect and improve parks, trails and green spaces across the ward
- Make sure recreation programming is accessible to residents of all ages and incomes
Listening & Accountability
A councillor's job is to represent residents — not to arrive at Town Hall with all the answers already decided.
- Be reachable and respond to residents in a timely way
- Explain how and why decisions are made, in plain language
- Ask questions and do the homework before voting on complex issues
- Make sure Ward 3 has a clear, consistent voice at Town Hall
Have a question about the issues?
Laurie wants to hear from you. Reach out directly or come to a community event.