Think.
Smeenk.

About Margot

Active member of the Grimsby Celebration Choir, St. Joseph’s Church, Grimsby Curling Club and t he Niagara Dragon Boat Club.
Former volunteer for Girl Guides Canada, United Way Oakville, St. Matthew’s School Council in Oakville and multiple youth soccer organisations.

Roads.

○

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should all have local roads which feel safe
○

Implement the Transportation Master Plan's cycling and trail network priorities

○

Transportation problems should be identified and prioritized based on measurable criteria (speeds, collisions, traffic volumes, pavement quality, etc.)
○

Solutions should be proven by evidence in other Canadian municipalities
○

Have consistently applied policies for traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, speed zones and parking are key, instead of a series of one-off decisions

○

Major impact is expected from planned construction over the next five years (Downtown Re-Imagined, Main Street East, Casablanca Blvd., North Service Road)
○

Better communication so the public knows what is happening when and how they can get around. This includes parking and access to businesses
○

Coordination with Niagara Region and the Province of Ontario, wherever possible

Rates.

○

Consider the property tax implications of any proposed new services, facilities, as new developments
○

Maximize revenues from other sources (e.g. owned utilities, commercial rates, higher level government grants)
○

Note: Only 25 per cent of our property tax bill goes to the town, and Grimsby has the second lowest rate in Niagara Region (Our homes are often worth more so our bill may still be higher!)

○

Grimsby is on a solid financial footing except we don't have enough set aside for future infrastructure repair and replacement
○

Just like for our own homes, we need to better plan for these large expenditures coming up in the next five to 15 years

Region.

○

The recent elimination of regional councillors and voting weighted by population reduces our regional influence and overloads our mayor
○

Town councillors volunteering to sit on important regional committees and advising on subjects on which they have expertise could help counterbalance this change

○

If services such as regional roads or water treatment plants are downloaded or transformed into public service boards -- which could happen in the current regional services review -- it could impact the town's costs and functions
○

Town councillors can push for arrangements which can save our taxpayers money without sacrificing service quality (e.g. certain regional roads like Main Street could become local only if capital funding for planned reconstruction and operating funding for additional staffing is received)

○

Push for a fixed transit route in Grimsby which is operational before regular GO Train service finally begins

More.

○

The current population forecast of 51,000 by 2051 — up from the current 29,000 -- could only happen with very high density developments in specific areas and an uncomfortable rate of change for current residents
○

Therefore, Grimsby should revisit the forecast and reduce it to the minimum acceptable by the province, considering acceptable building heights downtown and near the proposed GO station

○

Housing options are needed for our young adult children, our seniors on fixed income and others so they can stay in our community
○

The goal of 10 per cent of all new housing being affordable will only be achieved with a specific plan with interim targets and multiple sources of housing (i.e. Niagara Region Housing, not-for-profits, developers)

○

Grimsby is in a uniquely beautiful location between the lake, the Niagara Escarpment and one of Canada's few tender fruit-growing areas
○

Town needs to increase the Carolinian forest tree canopy, plant native species and implement its Trails Master Plan

○

The friendly, "small town," nature of Grimsby is important and needs to be maintained and enhanced
○

Support local clubs, teams and institutions which increase residents' community connections

By Internet.

Advance Polls.

Election Day.