Why I am running for Regional Councillor for Scugog in the upcoming Municipal Election
Many people approached me to run in this role given my experience and knowledge on local and regional issues and my willingness to tackle challenging issues with courage, fairness and honesty to find solutions that will benefit our community.
My late husband and I came to Scugog when we bought the local GM dealership over 20 years ago. We raised our two sons here and I’ve been active in the community since then as a coach, volunteer and health and political advocate.
I owned and ran a staffing and training company for over 25 years. I’m a twice published Author on health and recently worked as a Leadership Speaker and trainer.
My commitment to Scugog will be to work hard to lead, to inspire and to listen to all residents and opinions with respect. I didn’t just step up recently. I have been working to highlight and solve issues for a number of years to ensure we move forward into a positive future for our families and children. As a former competitive athlete and Martial Artist, I have been instilled with a sense of courage, discipline and integrity in everything I do. As a Christian who attends a local church, I am guided by the principles of truth and loving my neighbour as myself. I will treat each person fairly and with respect no matter their background, beliefs, race, religion or sexual identity.
Serving this community will include working to ensure local dollars go to local projects, voting against unnecessary tax hikes to help families with affordability, highlighting and reducing wasteful spending, protecting greenspaces, supporting entrepreneurs, businesses and farmers in the region and helping create a healthier, safer and more prosperous community for us all.
Scugog is a vibrant community and together we can ensure that this is an exceptional place to live and grow for decades to come. New leadership is important to ensure all voices are being heard and fresh ideas are being considered.
Please reach out to me with questions, comments or ideas you have.
MY LOCAL MISSION
My mission is to be fiscally responsible, respectful and fair and promote a healthy and prosperous community.
Scugog’s future depends on three connected priorities: protecting the lake and watershed, improving core infrastructure, and supporting a stronger year-round local economy. We need cleaner water, better storm-water management, and shoreline protection help preserve the community’s natural assets, while better roads will make it easier to do business and serve customers. At the same time, Scugog needs more year-round activity so local businesses are not overly dependent on seasonal demand. For business owners, the message is simple: a healthier community is also a stronger business environment. When we invest in environmental clean up and protection, reliable infrastructure, and tourism that works in every season, we create the conditions for local businesses to grow, hire, and stay competitive,
For families and seniors, I will fight for tax relief so you can afford the cost of living in Scugog.
My focus for all residents will be the following:
Tax Relief & Regional Audits to reduce wasteful spending
Protecting Greenspaces and Managing Growth responsibly to protect the character of our town
Supporting local businesses, farmers and families to improve economic prosperity
Fighting for local dollars to go to local projects
Treating all residents with fairness and respect.
I believe we need new leadership in Scugog. It is time to elect someone who is willing to listen and respond to concerns in the community. I will encourage and support open dialogue with diverse opinions and will work hard to implement positive change in our community.
TOP 10 ISSUES FACING SCUGOG TODAY
Scugog voters will choose a Regional Councillor who sits on both Township Council and Durham Regional Council. The next term needs someone who is tenacious and takes action to protect household budgets and our fair and delivers results on roads, water, the lake, downtown, and services people actually use.
To me, ten issues are key. Please add your thoughts or priorities as this is for discussion purposes.
1. Lack of trust
Residents feel decisions on the fairgrounds, water takings, communications, and growth have been hard to follow. Closed-session debates, deferred reports, and communications reviews that Council has not fully adopted have widened the gap. Trust is rebuilt by having an open process, clear reporting, and a Regional Councillor who reports back clearly on what Durham is doing with Scugog tax dollars. As a leadership trainer and known advocate for Scugog, I have built trust over years of speaking up and showing leadership in this community. My own career included a staffing firm for several decades where trusted relationships were built on honesty and service excellence. My plan is to have a regular Regional Report so residents are kept up to date on my work and efforts at the Regional and local level.
2. Affordability and taxes
54% of your tax bill goes to the Region. How much comes back here to Scugog? I will vote No to property tax increases. Scugog residents are already struggling with the high cost of living and need real leadership to step up and freeze tax hikes during this difficult economic time.
3. Wasteful spending
Scugog voters want their tax dollars spent locally on roads and required services first instead of consultants, and bloated projects. Our Township needs infrastructure updates and roads and water need to be priorities. Regionally, wasteful spending needs to be addressed and more funds need to be returned to Scugog for local projects.
4. Declining infrastructure and roads throughout the Township
This is still the issue residents name most. Rural and urban roads, bridges, culverts, and sidewalks have not kept pace with wear or with tax increases. Provincial infrastructure grants that drop after 2026 would make the deficit worse. Regional advocacy for funding and fair treatment of Scugog’s roads is essential. Negotiation is a strength of mine and I will use it to get a better deal for Scugog.
5. Development concerns
Recent proposed projects like the Reach Street development with up to 1355 units, have caused great concern in Port Perry. Families with kids in overcrowded classrooms are concerned. Seniors and residents who can’t access a doctor are concerned. Neighbours who see the lack of infrastructure and poor road quality are concerned. Many people believe Port Perry needs to preserve its local heritage and grow in a more balanced and sustainable way and I agree. Planning must be paced to servicing, not the other way around.
6. Mental health crisis
Local government does not run hospitals or most clinical services, but isolation, wait times, addictions, and youth and seniors’ mental health show up in policing, paramedic, housing, and recreation demand. Durham Region’s health and social-service role, plus Township recreation and community spaces, must be treated as part of the same problem.
As a twice published Author on health and inner resilience, I will work hard to improve access to quality healthcare and improve services for our community. I will also be a strong advocate for recreation facilities for our Township to allow for healthy outlets and exercise. Protecting our Fair and Green spaces will be important for community well-being as well.
7. Lake Scugog contamination
The lake is shallow and has contamination from phosphorus runoff, agriculture, shoreline septics. Weeds are a major issue. Nearshore sites around Port Perry are among the most degraded. Protecting the lake is an economic, environmental, and identity issue. I will work with the Lake Scugog Stewards on funding and execution plans to improve our Lake for everyone.
8. Serious drinking water issues on Scugog Island and in Port Perry
Island and rural residents rely on wells and aquifers. Some residents are without water and are concerned that the large water-taking applications from Parkridge will make their situation even worse. Port Perry’s municipal supply has long had problems (odour, iron) even when it meets safety standards. Water quantity and quality on the Island and around the lake require Regional and provincial attention, not only Township comments. Municipal water also requires additional attention. Water and wastewater are part of the regional portfolio and I will investigate solutions for both problems.
9. Recreation facilities lacking
I have spoken with many residents over the past few months. Many continue to ask for pickleball courts, a pool, upgraded fields, trails, and enhancements to improve usage of our public fairgrounds. Facilities that sit idle or deferred while taxes rise feed both the trust and affordability problems.
10. Downtown Core/Tourism
Scugog needs a plan to revitalize the downtown core Queen Street and Water Street so it remains a heritage and tourism asset, but businesses face much uncertainty including declining foot traffic, parking pressure and competition from highway commercial strips. I will be a strong advocate as Regional Councillor for small businesses, tourism and additional B&Bs or mini heritage style hotels to keep tourists in town for longer stays as well as promoting our local businesses regionally.
These ten points are linked. Poor roads and water undermine development. Development without lake and well protection undermines trust. Trust and taxes determine whether recreation and downtown investment ever happen. A Regional Councillor’s job is to carry Scugog’s file to Durham — funding, water, health, policing costs, staffing and planning — and to insist Township Council measure every decision against these resident priorities. I believe we can do much better with a stronger voice regionally.
What do you think are the main issues facing Scugog?
We can do it together
