Issues
Jeff believes that the people of Halton deserve a voice that listens and fights for their issues. Here are some issues that Jeff plans to tackle if he's elected:
Affordable and Accessible Facilities & Services
Affordable and accessible mean different things to different people. Some Councillors seem to be disconnected with what residents of West Oak Trails and Glen Abbey want. Recently, the West Oak Trails Skateboard Park was closed with a motion to move it out of the community to Palermo north of Dundas. Taking this facility from a convenient location in a park would have forced our kids to walk out of their community and cross Dundas to get there.
After public outcry against the move, the park will not be moved to Palermo however, that doesn`t help the kids when the existing one remains closed. Do you want representation that tries to put through motions that are illogical and do not reflect your family’s needs! What happens when illogical motions do go through undetected? In some cases, the cost is tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers` money to correct an original error in judgement.
I will fight for WARD 4 and motions like these that are just out of touch with Ward 4 families.
http://www.oakville.com/articles/town-council-oakville-anti-community/
http://www.oakville.com/articles/council-decision-on-skateboard-park-solves-nothing/
http://www.oakville.com/articles/skateboard-park-moved-palermo/
http://www.oakville.com/articles/dismantling-west-oak-trails-skateboard-park/
http://www.oakville.com/articles/debate-skateboard-parks-oakville/
Transparent decision making
Citizen committees are great as they bring intellectual skills, and the experience of residents, working in consultation with staff and Council. It’s only through public consultation that sound decisions can be made for us in Ward 4, and throughout Oakville. Controlling who sits on these committees and informing the public after a decision has been made has become the norm for this Council. It is time to make every representative, including the mayor, accountable for decisions made without public consultation.
Costs for the new regional hospital and the controversial location of the power plant are perfect examples of how we, the residents, are being let into the process after key decisions were made, far too late in the process to provide balanced input.
Balanced taxation
We need a more sustainable residential/commercial tax ratio. The current ratio of 88% compared to 12% ratio is out of alignment. In order to keep our current, and ensure future, levels of recreational activities and facilities, we need to attract businesses to relocate here and to keep the existing ones. We need jobs here so that we have tax revenues, plus it also allows residents to cut traffic congestion and pollution by being able to live and work in the same community.
Our long-term debt is getting out of hand. The 2011 Town budget is creeping toward double digit growth. To maintain our current services and capital projects, Town staff is recommending an 8.1% property tax increase and long-term debt went up over $80 million last year alone. This is unacceptable. With the economy still recovering and higher interest rates anticipated, we have to get in touch with reality and be fiscally responsible. We can no longer dip into reserves and sell town assets such as Oakville Hydro to maintain our quality of life.
People in Ward 4 tell Jeff they want:
Experienced and Qualified Leadership to get things done properly
Jeff has been leading private & charitable entities making crucial management and financial planning decisions for years (click for details)
We have to get back on track again, get our fiscal house in order, and cut property taxes. Some members of the current Town Council have become disconnected with our community. For example, the motion moving the brand new skateboard park or the use of closed meetings with secret agendas for decision-making, especially for citizen appointments to committees.
Affordable access to sports and recreational activities
Many residents have mentioned that it is very difficult for them to afford the high cost of organized sports or recreational programs. As an Oakville soccer coach, I had some kids who could play in the fall session but not in the winter. We have to develop solutions to problems and it is not just a matter of raising field or ice rental rates to youth organizations. Consultations have to be done before, and not after, a recommendation or motion is made.
Sustainable growth to protect environment
:: Intelligent growth planning with better transportation linkages, parks & trails.
:: I will help attract new businesses ensuring that designated commercial lands North of Dundas are developed for local employment increasing our commercial tax base.
:: Oakville needs more ECO-FRIENDLY Head Offices.
:: This is basic economics -> Commercial taxes are far greater than residential yet business consumes 50% or less in services
Accountable representation
Elected officials are accountable to their constituents to act in the best interests of ALL with integrity. Jeff has a proven track record in helping tens of thousands of people.
