Vision
I believe that we are all united by a shared vision: a stronger, healthier Woodstock where everyone can thrive. A city that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive, where every resident is valued, supported, engaged, and hopeful for the future. A Woodstock where:
Everyone is housed, fed, and has access to local, timely supports when needed;
Businesses and industry are strong, and we continue to attract new additions that contribute to employment, community and our tax base;
Residents benefit from workforce participation, which must include access to reliable transit and childcare that meet their needs;
Quality recreation, arts, culture, greenspace, and spaces for children, youth and seniors are available to provide opportunities, build healthy connections, enhance neighbourhoods and ensue all residents have what they need to thrive;
Downtown is a safe and vibrant community centre, filled with businesses, activities and residential units.
Meaningful engagement and community planning inspires action, resulting in timely deliverables of facilities and services that citizens identify as essential to their quality of life, their hope for tomorrow and their pride in calling Woodstock home.
Together, we can create a responsible and practical path forward that builds a better Woodstock now and for generations to come.
Authentic Leadership. Building tomorrow, together.
How Do We Get There?
A vision is only meaningful if we have a clear plan to achieve it. Woodstock City Council must lead an action-oriented, community-driven approach with measurable priorities and a commitment to timely implementation. The municipality cannot achieve this alone; it takes the entire community – citizens, businesses, service providers, volunteers, and all levels of government – working together to contribute towards our shared success.
As our city grows, we must be prepared to address today's needs while planning for tomorrow's opportunities.
I commit to being a Councillor who is available and engaged, who listens and learns, who is present and prepared, who makes decisions in the best interest of citizens, who considers current and future needs, and who is fiscally responsible in investing tax dollars wisely.
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Both Woodstock City Council and Oxford County Council have a responsibility to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. At a time of rising costs and increasing needs, promises of lower taxes are unrealistic. However, what is realistic is a commitment to asking tough questions, finding efficiencies, questioning the status quo and making informed decisions that deliver value.
We must carefully evaluate priorities, timelines, and investments; seek out funding opportunities to leverage municipal investments; build infrastructure to support responsible growth and future opportunities; and continue to attract businesses that strengthen our tax base and create jobs.
I commit to making informed, accountable, transparent decisions that I believe are in the best interests of our community and provide value for taxpayers; I have 35 years of financial management experience and a proven track record of fiscal responsibility.
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Woodstock has grown significantly; unfortunately, many of our community services and facilities have not kept pace. We need new, and improved, opportunities that meet modern needs that allow for affordable participation, easy access and are safe and welcoming.
Residents have been clear about what they need to feel like they belong and have a good quality of life here:
New recreation facilities - an indoor pool, an additional double-pad ice rink, indoor basketball space, another indoor walking track;
New community-focused places, spaces and services - a youth centre, arts and culture opportunities, a satellite library, welcoming neighbourhood-based gathering places, affordable programs and transit services that meet their needs;
A thriving downtown – supported local businesses and services, encouraged investment and residential growth, and safe, accessible spaces that attract residents and visitors alike.
People want to see meaningful progress on priorities that have been identified and planned for years yet not moved forward. These are required for families to thrive, for children and youth to access opportunities as they grow, for seniors to enter their next chapter with services and dignity, and how we make Woodstock a healthy community for all.
I commit to being a voice that supports moving projects forward in a timely manner. I will advocate for shovel-ready plans so that we can leverage Federal and Provincial opportunities and maximize grant and fundraising options. I will balance fiscal responsibility with the importance of delivering what matters most to residents’ quality of life and well-being.
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Homelessness, mental health, and addictions are top-of-mind for citizens here and across every community. There is no single answer to address this growing social challenge; no one organization, program or service can meet the needs of all those struggling throughout Oxford County.
While the City of Woodstock does not deliver social services, housing, or health care, they must be part of the solution. Oxford County does have a role, specifically social service areas such as emergency shelter, homelessness support, housing stability, transitional housing, and rent-geared to income. They, nor any of their community partners, have adequate funding or resources to meet the needs alone. We cannot wait for another level of government to arrive with a quick fix; we must all work collectively to be a part of a ‘made in Oxford’ set of solutions.
There have been meaningful strides forward:
The Oxford HART Hub provides community-led, collaborative services to meet individual needs across the support spectrum;
The Oxford County Wellness Centre, now open in its temporary location, is offering recovery services to those ready to receive them;
The Oxford Homelessness Support Centre, planned for the former YMCA building, is based on years of engagement with community partners to determine what works, what doesn’t, and what is needed. It’s physical and program designs will be created collaboratively led by Oxford County, with risk management strategies developed through vital community input.
Health care, basic needs, shelter, law enforcement, and mental health and addiction services are each critical parts of the solution. We must continue to support efforts by prioritizing deeply affordable and supportive housing. Safe, stable, supported, affordable housing is ultimately the key to changing lives. Both The City of Woodstock and Oxford County must seek every opportunity to secure new housing options. A Housing First model is proven to be the most successful, efficient and cost-effective way to support those most vulnerable.
I commit to using my strong knowledge in this area to assist agencies to reduce service gaps and enhance services. As both a City and County Councillor, I will contribute to the development of the Oxford Homelessness Support Centre by engaging with neighbours to effectively mitigate risk. I will advocate for the necessary housing options required to deliver a Housing First model.
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Woodstock’s housing needs extend far beyond the need to increase deeply affordable or supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. With high rental costs and a vacancy rate below 1%, we do not have adequate housing for many working individuals, families, and seniors. Today, approximately 38% of Woodstock’s households are in core housing need. This national housing crisis impacts not only our citizens, it also impacts our workplaces, employment, the economy, health care, education and overall community stability. Too many of our citizens are forced to choose between food or a roof.
The municipality does not provide housing, but it plays an active role in attracting and enabling new housing options. A key priority is supporting development across the entire housing continuum - deeply affordable, supportive, affordable, accessible, through to retirement and long-term care living. Embracing innovative developments, co-operative housing, higher-density downtown housing and other creative solutions will be essential. We must seek opportunities to meet current needs as well those required to support the significant population growth that we are expecting by 2035.
I commit to advocating for the development of housing options across the entire continuum, to work collaboratively with partners to reduce service gaps, and to support innovative, accessible, and affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of residents today and in the future.
