BarrieToday recently reached out to each candidate for city council in Barrie's 10 wards for a 300-word profile in their own words about their background and why people should vote for them.
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Marg and I have lived in Ward 4 for more than 25 years and raised our family here.
I love Barrie and want to be part of council over the next four years to ensure we keep moving in the proper direction.
What are we doing right?
We are spending more on road rehabilitation every year, thanks to the 1 per cent infrastructure levy, and we’re spending it more wisely, targeting streets before they fall apart.
We’ve kept tax increases down to the level of inflation, apart from the infrastructure levy, while introducing efficiencies at city hall. Service Barrie, our new one-stop department for everything from complaints about garbage to building permits, makes dealing with city hall easier.
We are working on a restored Fisher Auditorium, a permanent market in the bus terminal and two new recreation centres. We are protecting Sunnidale Park and environmentally sensitive land.
Where can we do better?
Unemployment is still unacceptably high. We have to continue to make Barrie attractive to entrepreneurs starting an enterprise and businesses that want to expand by cutting red tape, encouraging initiatives such as The Sandbox and keeping a supply of serviced industrial lands.
We have to improve safety on city streets, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
This means traffic calming, directing police resources to driving infractions, putting sidewalks where gaps exist and educating the public.
Improving transit will always be a priority.
Perhaps our greatest challenge is providing housing residents can afford.
Hundreds of affordable units have been created but we still have among the highest rents in Canada.
At the same time, we have to be cautious not to let development run wild. That means building up, allowing for well-considered infill development but not disrupting existing residents’ lives.
Website: barryward.ca
Phone: 705-737-0318
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Barry Ward for Barrie Ward 4
Twitter: @barry4barrie4
