It has been a difficult 4 years. The Municipality has evolved and grown. Our finances are on a much healthier footing and the corporation itself is stable.
Of course there are areas that need to be investigated and resolved. This will always be ongoing since no one can predict what the future will bring. I feel reasonably assured that we are on a healthy course of action.
My focus:
Use Common sense
Follow the Rules
Be respectful
As a council, we chose to clean up as many problems as we were able to in our time left. As well, we put procedures in place to prevent future problems as best we could. I believe that the CAO and Senior Management Team are working very well together to serve our residents. We have come a long way!
Some of the items accomplished are:
Operational Review: A public task force as well as a consultant reviewed the entire corporation to determine our needs.
Corporate Strategy: Through this process with SMT, council chose a direction for the future = growth.
Meaford Economic Development Strategy: (MEDS) gives us the ‘how to’ direction to achieve our goal of growth.
Community Services Strategy: This strategy focuses on ways to improve efficiencies with our revenue generating facilities.
Quarterly Reports: This is a snapshot of where we are quarterly both financially as well as operationally.
Deficit: The deficit will be paid off in 2010.
Capital Plan: This plan is partially complete at this time.
All of these strategies focus on how we can improve what works and make it even better.
These initiatives support a healthy community and I support all of these initiatives!
Community Assets:
New Agribusinesses / awareness of
New Entrepreneurs through the Municipality
Thriving Volunteerism
Future Focus:
*Communication is still a problem that I would like to see more time spent on.
*Council working together as a team.
*Improving trust within the community is essential.
*Follow through on planning for future development including social housing and library services
*Town Hall Meetings
My Role:
Consider needs and learn what I can.
Weigh information (My Focus).
Make decisions for best interest of all.
Support strength, stability, sustainability = health benefits
Support direction of Corporation/Council
If anyone would like a sign for their lawn or to speak to me, please phone 519-538-1189 during the day and 519-538-9239 evenings and weekends.
Sincerely, Lynda Stephens
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