Cobourg is Ontario’s ‘Feel Good Town’ and is one of the most popular towns for people to bring their families to come visit. For us residents, it’s also a source of great pride to be a film locale for many TV shows and movies. And for the town, filming brings an economic boost.

One of the largest areas of concern for many is keeping our downtown, beach and parks clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.

There has been a huge increase of illegal activity in our community, including theft, vandalism and harassment that threatens the safety and well-being of residents, businesses, visitors and public spaces. Open drug use in shared community areas is especially serious and unacceptable; it creates significant public health and safety risks, exposes families and vulnerable individuals to harm, and undermines the sense of security that everyone deserves.

I believe we need coordinated action that prioritizes safety, accountability, and care: consistent enforcement against illegal and dangerous behaviour; rapid responses to open drug use and related hazards; and expanded access to shelter, housing, mental health services, and addiction treatment. I believe we need to reassess our shelter location, away from the downtown core, and closer to the hospital where services are more accessible.

Our beautiful town is overpopulated with unhoused people from other areas because of the lack of support within the county. And people are beyond frustrated over it.

Our community can insist on safe, welcome public spaces while also treating unhoused people with dignity and humanity.

As everyone can agree on, we are in an affordability crisis. People are facing huge challenges every day when it comes to finances… it’s something we hear on a daily basis.

With my experience balancing our company’s books, I can promise I will be responsible when it comes to the spending of YOUR tax dollars. Your money will be directed toward the resources Cobourg residents need and want the most.

I believe in transparency when it comes to where our money is spent. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find suitable employment, not to mention make ends meet with the rising cost of living. And for those residents who are retired, it’s essential that their dollars are protected. Being responsible with taxpayers’ money should be held to the highest standard of accountability.

We’ve been able to maintain and grow our business through COVID lockdowns, reduced capacity, limited services, and economic challenges by exercising sensible spending; and I promise that same financial prudence if I’m elected to council.