Proven Leadership

Effective leadership is an essential attribute of all good mayors. I believe that I bring strong leadership to the office of Mayor.

I have a collaborative leadership style. I choose to emphasize the word "we" over that of "I". This approach does not come from a false sense of modesty, but from a clear realization that engaging others is a critical part of solving problems and that, in the end, Council collectively makes the decision.

I believe this style of leadership is effective. Over the past four years:

• I have led Council in reducing the cost of Town operations and delivered successive tax rate increases of just 1.2% annually. This is well below the rate of inflation, as promised in my 2010 campaign.

• I have brought civility to Council debate. On occasion, council may split the vote 5-4, but Councilors are now listening to one another. Another campaign promise.

• I brought KPMG in to study town services and recommend areas of potential savings. These recommendations are being implemented. For example, as identified in the report, staff complement has been reduced by 13 positions through attrition over the last two years without significant service reductions. Fiscal responsibility was a 2010 campaign promise.

• I led Council in the successful acquisition of the Unimin waterfront property. I led the negotiation team that acquired the property. Along with municipal staff, I am now meeting the developers who will partner with us to build the vision of the people of Midland, as called for in their waterfront plan.

• I led the initiative and have worked collaboratively with the four neighboring municipalities to create the Huronia Economic Alliance. Having the four municipalities working together has given us additional clout and gained widespread attention, even from the government of Ontario.

• I led the discussion that had the four North Simcoe municipalities challenge the County's affordable housing plan for our area. I was subsequently elected Chair for the County's North Simcoe Housing Committee by my fellow mayors.

• I led the response to the recent healthcare problem that could have seen cataract surgeries moved out of our area. In response, I have led the development of the North Simcoe Healthcare Charter and worked with the LHIN, the hospital, local doctors, my fellow mayors, and our citizens in developing a citizen's statement of what we need to ensure quality health care in our area.

Leadership shows the way. Successful leadership gets results.