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Shoreline Beacon - June 22, 2026

1) Why are you running?

I’m running because Southampton has been part of my life for 50 years, and I care deeply about what happens here next. Saugeen Shores is growing and changing. I believe we can embrace that growth while protecting the character, history and strong sense of community that makes Southampton such a special place to call home. After 33 years in education and many years of community involvement, I've learned to listen carefully, ask tough questions, consider different perspectives and do my homework before making decisions. 

I'm not running because I think I have all of the answers. I'm running because I believe residents deserve a councillor who will listen to them, represent their concerns and make thoughtful, responsible decisions. 

I want to bring a strong, fresh voice to council – one that respects taxpayers, values transparency and collaboration and ensure Southampton has an effective voice as we shape the future of Saugeen Shores.

2) What current or past experience do you have that you believe applies to municipal governance?

My experience in education, leadership and community service has given me a strong foundation for municipal governance. During my 33 year career in education, working in diverse classroom settings, and as a principles assistant, I developed skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication, conflict, resolution, and working collaboratively with people from all walks of life. 

I learned the importance of listening, balancing competing needs and making fair, informed decisions. 

As both the director and president of my condominium corporation, I gained practical experience in governance, financial oversight, budgeting, policy development, infrastructure planning and responsible stewardship of residents money. Currently, as director and secretary of the Southampton Arts Council, I continue to contribute to our community through Board governance, strategic discussions and collaborative decision-making. 

Having been part of Saugeen Shores since 1976 and a permanent resident since 2009, I also bring a valuable understanding of our community’s history, changing needs and future challenges. Perhaps most importantly, these experiences have taught me that good governance isn't about having the loudest voice at the table. It's about listening, asking the right questions, respecting different perspectives and being accountable for the decisions we make. 

3) Why do you believe you will be an effective decision-maker for Saugeen Shores?

I believe effective decision-making begins with listening. Residents are not simply the people Council makes decisions for; they are the people Council must make decisions with. 

My years in education, community leadership and board governance have taught me to ask difficult questions, examine all sides of an issue and understand the consequences before reaching a decision I believe in doing my homework, challenging assumptions and being willing to change my perspective when presented with better information. 

But good decisions require more than research. They require meaningful communication between residents and Council. Public consultation should happen early enough to influence decisions, not simply after the direction has already been determined. Residents deserve to know how their concerns were considered even when the final decision isn't what they had hoped for. 

I also recognize that every decision must balance community needs, financial responsibility and long-term sustainability. I won't promise that everyone will always agree with my decisions. I will promise to listen respectfully, explain my reasoning and remain accountable. 

My commitment is simple: Listen to residents. Grow our community responsibly. Deliver decisions we can stand behind. 

4) What can a municipality do to help address cost of living concerns?

Municipalities cannot control grocery prices, interest rates or inflation, but we can make thoughtful decisions that ease financial pressures on residents. 

The numbers tell us affordability is a real concern. According to the 2021 Census, nearly 37% of Saugeen Shores renters spent 30% or more of their income on housing. Our 2026 municipal budget also projects an approximate $132 increase in property taxes for the average household, including County, education and police components. 

I believe Council must focus on what it can control. That means scrutinizing spending, prioritizing essential services, carefully evaluating major capital projects and ensuring taxpayers receive value for every dollar spent. 

We must encourage a broader range of housing options, including smaller homes, rental accommodations, and attainable housing for younger families, workers and seniors. Improved transportation partnership with community organizations and support for year-round local business can also help reduce household pressures. Importantly, we must distinguish between what is necessary today and what can responsibly wait. Affordability isn't simply about keeping taxes down. It's about making Saugeen Shores a community where people of all ages and incomes can afford to live, work and belong. 

5) What is your view on the current tax rate in Saugeen Shores?

I believe property taxes in Saugeen Shores must remain affordable, predictable and justified. Residents understand that quality services cost money, but they also expect Council to respect the financial pressures facing households, particularly seniors on fixed incomes and young families. 

The 2026 blended tax increase of approximately 3% or $132 for the average household may sound modest, but every increase matters when residents are already struggling with every day expenses. 

I don't believe freezing taxes at the expense of essential services is responsible, but neither is approving increases without thoroughly examining spending priorities and long-term consequences. 

Council must distinguish between what we need, what we want and what we can realistically afford. 

As someone with experience overseeing budgets and managing shared resources, I believe every tax dollar deserves careful scrutiny. My commitment is to ask the tough questions, protect essential services, plan responsibly, and ensure residents understand where the money is going. Good financial stewardship isn't about spending the least. It's about making every dollar count. 

6) In your opinion, what is the No. 1 issue facing Saugeen Shores?

I believe the number one concern facing Saugeen Shores is managing growth responsibly while preserving the character, affordability and quality of life that makes our community so special. 

Growth brings opportunity, but it also places increasing demands on housing, infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, and municipal services. We must ensure our ability to provide these services keeps pace with development, without placing an unreasonable financial burden on taxpayers.

I'm particularly concerned about young families struggling to find affordable housing, seniors wanting to remain independent in their own community and the pressures facing residents on fixed income. 

We must also recognize that Southampton and Port Elgin have their own distinct identities, histories and needs. Responsible growth should strengthen those communities, not diminish what makes each unique.

I believe Council must plan carefully, listen meaningfully to residents, ask tough financial questions and make decisions that consider both today's needs and tomorrow's consequences. 

Growth should never simply be measured by how much we build, but by how well we protect and improve the lives of the people who call Saugeen Shores home. 

7) A regional transit study is currently being undertaken involving Bruce, Grey, Dufferin and Wellington counties. What should a regional transit system look like and how should it be funded?

I believe regional transit should be affordable, accessible, reliable, and designed around the real needs of rural residents, not simply replicate an urban bus system. 

The September 2026 Regional Transit Study recommends connecting communities through scheduled routes, supported by on-demand transportation and existing services such as Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit ( SMART ). I support this practical, coordinated approach. 

For Saugeen Shores, that means helping seniors maintain independence, connecting residents to healthcare, employment and shopping, and providing transportation options for people without vehicles. 

Funding must be a shared responsibility. The study identifies approximately $9.5 million in available provincial transit investment funding, alongside passenger fares, potential gas tax, revenues, and contributions from participating counties. 

I support a phased approach, measurable ridership targets, transparent cost sharing and careful evaluation before expanding services. We must also plan for sustainability when provincial funding expires. Regional transit isn't simply about moving people between communities. It's about reducing isolation, improving accessibility, and giving residents greater independence without placing an unreasonable burden on local taxpayers. 

8) How would you address the need to maintain municipal services and infrastructure, without high tax increases for residents?

Maintaining quality municipal services while keeping taxes, affordable requires responsible planning, clear, priorities, and making every tax dollar count. We must take care of the infrastructure we already have before committing to new projects we may struggle to maintain. Preventative maintenance, long-term asset management and careful budgeting can help avoid costly repairs and unexpected expenses. I would support pursuing provincial and federal funding, exploring shared services and partnerships, and regularly reviewing municipal spending for efficiencies. Residents also deserve a meaningful voice in setting priorities. Council must distinguish between what we need, what we want and what we can realistically afford. 

I won't promise that taxes will never increase. I will promise to ask tough questions, challenge unnecessary spending, and ensure decisions are financially responsible.

Good governance means protecting the services we depend on today without passing an unreasonable financial burden to tomorrow's taxpayers. 

9) How can a municipality prepare for the possibility of artificial intelligence data centre developments in the coming years?

Municipalities must assess zoning, infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, transportation, and emergency services before approving AI data centre projects. Developers should pay their fair share of upgrades and ongoing costs, meet enforceable standards and provide community benefits such as local jobs, training and energy efficiency. Residents need transparent information and meaningful opportunities to review proposals. Federal and provincial legislation is also needed to establish consistent standards, protect communities and coordinate infrastructure planning.

10) What can a municipality do to help increase housing supply across the affordability spectrum?

A community is only truly affordable when the people who work here, raise families here and grow old here can afford to call it home. The numbers tell us we have work to do. According to the 2021 Census, nearly 37% of Saugeen Shores renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. Our municipality has already secured up to $3.2 million through the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund, expected to support approximately 659 new homes over the next decade. That's encouraging progress, but building more homes doesn't automatically make them affordable. Council can help by encouraging a greater mix of housing, smaller homes, secondary suites, townhouses, rental apartments, and accessible seniors housing. We can streamline approvals, review zoning barriers, encourage responsible development, and work with Bruce County, nonprofit organizations and private builders. We must also ensure infrastructure keeps pace without placing unreasonable costs on existing taxpayers. 

Most importantly, residents deserve a meaningful voice about how their neighbourhoods grow. Our goal shouldn't simply be more rooftops. It should be more opportunities for young families to put down roots where they live, where they work and seniors to remain in the community they love. 

11) Do you support the potential installation of a battery energy storage system in the town, for example like the proposed BESS South of Port Elgin?

I'm open to considering battery energy storage, but my support would depend on clear evidence that it's safe, environmentally responsible and genuinely beneficial to Saugeen Shores. 

Neoen proposes a 400 MW facility south of Port Elgin, with a commitment of $450,000 annually in community benefits, additional tax revenue, and nearly $1 million towards local firefighting resources. While those benefits deserve consideration, I'm particularly concerned about using valuable agricultural land for industrial development. Once farmland is lost, we can't simply replace it. My preference would be to explore less productive or appropriately designated industrial land first. Residents concerns about fire safety, environmental impacts, and long-term responsibilities must also be addressed through independent assessments, clear emergency response plans, and meaningful public consultation. 

I'm neither automatically for nor against this project. However, financial incentives alone should never determine our decision. My responsibility is to listen, ask the tough questions and ensure safety. Agricultural heritage and the long-term interests of our community come first. 

12) Do you support a Community Planning Permit System? (CPPS) If so, in what area of town? Why or why not?

I support exploring a Community Planning Permit System ( CPPS ), but not at the expense of meaningful public input or the unique character of our communities. Other Ontario municipalities offer valuable lessons. Gananoque has used a CPPS to encourage development while protecting its mall-town heritage. Lake of Bays uses one to protect environmentally, sensitive waterfront areas. For Saugeen Shores, I favour starting with carefully selected areas in Port Elgin, where appropriate housing intensification makes sense. I'm more cautious about applying it to Southampton's historic downtown, where heritage, building height, parking and neighbourhood character deserve particular attention. A CPPS can shorten approval timelines, but also limits residents opportunities to challenge individual development decisions once the system is established. 

Let's learn from other municipalities, listen to our residents and get the rules right before rushing ahead. Faster development should never mean less accountability.