Woodstock should continue to grow, but development must not move faster than our roads, recreation facilities, emergency services and infrastructure can support.

I support directing higher-density housing toward the downtown core, major commercial areas and transit corridors, where residents can more easily access transportation, shopping and community services.

Established single-family neighbourhoods should not be broadly transformed without careful planning, infrastructure reviews and meaningful consultation with nearby residents.

Larger developments should include meaningful green space, trees, landscaped areas and places for residents to gather and play. These features should be built and maintained by developers rather than becoming an additional burden on taxpayers.

Developers already pay significant fees, but those charges must be regularly reviewed to ensure existing residents are not unfairly subsidizing the infrastructure required by new growth.

Property taxes must remain affordable, particularly as families and seniors face rising costs throughout their daily lives.

Before increasing taxes, Council should review spending, examine departmental structures, pursue efficiencies and clearly identify what residents are receiving for their money.

Municipal employees provide valuable services and deserve fair, competitive compensation. At the same time, staffing levels, compensation and departmental performance should be reviewed regularly to ensure taxpayers receive good value.

Private contractors should only replace municipal service delivery when there is clear evidence that they can provide equal or better service at a lower total cost.

Reasonable user fees can help fund optional services, but essential services must remain accessible, and support should be available when fees create barriers for lower-income residents.

 Woodstock should invest somewhat more in policing to improve visibility, response capacity and public confidence, particularly in the downtown.

I have spoken with the Chief of Police about the growing needs of our local police service, including the possibility of a new police station or satellite locations throughout the city.

Public parks, sidewalks and community spaces must remain safe and accessible. Police should have the authority to address open illegal drug use and require individuals to leave public spaces when necessary.

Enforcement should work alongside addiction treatment, mental-health care, shelter, outreach and employment supports. Public safety and compassionate assistance are not opposing goals—we need both.

If sufficient, safe and accessible 24-hour shelter space is available, encampments should not be permitted in parks, sidewalks or other shared public spaces. Outreach workers should help individuals enter shelter and connect with services that provide a path toward stable housing and independence.

Woodstock should ensure people have access to emergency shelter, but spending must be focused on measurable outcomes and long-term solutions rather than simply increasing permanent shelter capacity.

Shelter facilities should be flexible enough to serve other community purposes if homelessness decreases in the future.

Support must include mental-health care, addiction treatment, transitional housing, employment assistance and programs that help people regain stability and participate fully in the community.

Social and affordable housing should be advanced through partnerships with Oxford County, senior governments, non-profit organizations and responsible private development—not by placing the entire cost on Woodstock property taxpayers or cutting essential City services.

Woodstock already invests millions of dollars in roads, resurfacing and reconstruction. Continued investment should be guided by road-condition data, safety concerns and long-term asset-management planning.

I support targeted traffic-calming measures on residential streets where speeding creates a demonstrated danger to pedestrians, cyclists and families.

Reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is essential. Where Oxford County controls these systems, Woodstock must be a strong advocate for timely repairs, responsible expansion and fair rates.

Necessary infrastructure improvements should be phased carefully, with grants, reserves, development charges and operational efficiencies explored before residents are asked to pay more.

 Woodstock should continue improving transit routes, reliability and scheduling based on actual ridership patterns and feedback from residents.

The City is gathering feedback from transit users to better understand how the system can serve the community. That information should guide future decisions.

I do not support automatically raising fares to pay for improvements. Higher fares could create additional barriers for seniors, students, workers and residents who rely on public transit.

The City should first pursue operational efficiencies, increased ridership, development contributions, partnerships and government grants.

Woodstock needs a diversified economy that is not overly dependent on one major employer or industry.

The City is running short of available employment land. Rather than simply selling its remaining industrial properties, Woodstock should investigate acquiring and servicing additional land to attract new employers and protect future economic opportunities.

I support streamlining municipal processes, working with existing businesses and attracting responsible investment that creates stable employment.

Development incentives should be transparent, targeted and tied to clear economic benefits for the community.

Vacant commercial properties—particularly those held for long periods by absentee owners—can harm neighbourhoods and the downtown. The City should investigate practical measures that encourage these properties to be occupied, maintained or redeveloped.

Woodstock has already made a significant investment in its downtown streetscape. That project should be given time to demonstrate results before taxpayers are asked to fund another major redevelopment.

The next priority should be making the downtown safe, clean, active and business-friendly.

That includes a visible police presence, responsible bylaw enforcement, support for local businesses, accessible parking, community events and action on long-term vacant properties.

Future downtown spending should address demonstrated needs and include clear measures of success.

Existing green space should be protected wherever reasonably possible, but housing and environmental planning must work together.

New neighbourhoods and larger developments should include meaningful green space rather than becoming endless areas of bricks, pavement and parking lots.

Climate change is a global issue, and Woodstock should take practical steps within its control, including improving energy efficiency, protecting trees, reducing waste and planning resilient infrastructure.

Municipal environmental policies should be evidence-based, affordable and designed to produce measurable local benefits without placing unnecessary financial pressure on residents.

Strong communities invest in young people, but recreation projects must be financially responsible and based on demonstrated needs.

Before committing millions of dollars to a new pool, arena or major recreation facility, Council must carefully review construction costs, ongoing operating expenses, location, partnerships, community demand and the effect on taxpayers.

I support establishing a Woodstock Youth Sports Committee that brings local sport organizations together to discuss facility needs, scheduling, accessibility, coach development and opportunities to share resources.

Libraries provide important educational and community services. Future funding and expansion should be based on population growth, usage, demonstrated needs and responsible long-term planning.

Assistance programs should help lower-income residents access recreation and community services, but those programs must be targeted, sustainable and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.

Council decisions should reflect the democratic vote of elected representatives. The Mayor has an important leadership role but should not overturn decisions properly made by the majority of Council.

Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made and have a real opportunity to provide input before major decisions are finalized.

I will support regular public updates, community listening sessions, accessible budget information and clear explanations of Council decisions.

Questions involving historic names, monuments or community symbols should be investigated carefully. Decisions should be based on verified facts, the complete historical record, expert advice and public consultation—not assumptions or political pressure.

I will not promise easy answers to difficult problems.

I will listen, investigate, ask questions and make decisions based on facts, affordability and the long-term interests of Woodstock.

My priorities are:

Responsible growth

Affordable taxes

Safe neighbourhoods and public spaces

Reliable infrastructure

Strong recreation opportunities

A diversified local economy

Transparent and accountable government

Let’s build a city that works for families, seniors, businesses, young people and taxpayers—not just today, but for the next generation.