THE IRON SKILLET "MEET & GREET" & MY SPEECH ON THE "COMMUNITY WALLET"

September 30th, 2026

First, much thanks to Gerry & Patrick, our wonderful hosts, and to our moderator, Dave Morrison, all of whom - once again - made the event entertaining, engaging and informative. And to Mike Foley, candidate for Deputy Mayor, who worked behind the scenes to make the arrangements and include all the new candidates.

If you're wondering what I had to say this is my prepared speech.

I hope you find something of benefit in it.

"Good evening.

I want to start tonight with something my husband reminded me of — a Georgian toast.

“I have the desire to buy a house, but I don't have the means.

I have the means to buy a goat, but I don't have the desire.

So let's raise a glass in the hope that our desires will always match our means.”

The candidates in this election are discussing a lot of the things that matter to all of us — everything from splash pads to roads and infrastructure, safety, housing, tourism, the environment and Destination Wasaga.

There is one common theme to be found in all of these election topics: money.

There is only one community wallet — and that wallet is our property taxes.

Let's talk about bread, eggs and milk.

According to Statistics Canada, five years ago those basic groceries would have cost about $12.88. Today, they cost about $15.54 — an increase of 21 per cent.

Has your income increased by 21 per cent?

And when our household costs go up, we have to make choices.

We look at the grocery cart and say: “I'd like steak for dinner. But can I afford it?”

And it's not just groceries.

The Town's Impact and Economic Forecast Report from 2021 cited average monthly rent of $1,117. Today, current Wasaga Beach market data puts average rent at about $2,400 a month.

Housing costs have changed too.

Municipal government has to make choices as well.

Because when we talk about the future of Wasaga Beach, we aren't spending somebody else's money.

We're spending from one community wallet.

I'm an independent voice. I ask questions. I do the research.

I am not part of a team or a slate. I am running independently, and my responsibility is to the residents of Wasaga Beach.

And when we're talking about something as significant as Destination Wasaga, accountability means asking the questions residents deserve to have answered:

 What will it cost? Where will the money come from? And what will it mean for our property taxes and our other priorities?

I have been told by senior Public Works staff that the current estimate for widening Mosley Street from 45th Street to Beachwood Road is approximately $40 million.

$40 million is today's number. It won't necessarily be tomorrow's number.

And there is another piece of the community wallet that concerns me.

Yes, we sold land to Sunray for approximately $7.6 million. But the Town is also holding a vendor-take-back mortgage of approximately $5.67 million.

And that matters — because cash flow matters.

So when we talk about our community wallet, we need to know not just what we are going to receive — but when we are going to receive it.

And I will be asking those questions.

I am running for Council. I'm asking for your trust and your vote on October 26.

And if you elect me, I will not be afraid to ask the hard questions. I will not be afraid to speak up. And I will always remember whose wallet we're talking about.

It's our community wallet.

Thanks for listening!