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Today, I want to talk about the idea brought forward at every election and that is the need for change. There are 4 vacant seats on council this year, so we will have plenty of change.
I agree that new faces can bring forward fresh ideas and different perspectives on the issues that impact us all. At the same time, we also need stability and experience. Council is responsible for managing a budget of over $1 Billion, so councillors who have experienced working through multiple budget cycles bring valuable knowledge and context. This experience is critical while newcomers get a better understanding of the complexities of prioritizing, and ultimately making tough decisions.
With my financial background, I continue to bring a strong understanding of governance, budgeting, and fiscal accountability to the many boards that I serve, including Enwin, Windsor Police Services, and ERCA.
I have been a strong voice on council, helping deliver record investments in infrastructure while keeping tax increases at the lowest rate of any city in Ontario over the past 4 years.
The need is clear. Let me continue to be your voice on council, making these decisions that directly affect your quality of life, while recognizing and respecting the affordability challenges that we are all facing.
Thank you for your support.
Jim
For the last 8 years, while I have been on city council, I have never seen any of my opponents. Not at our council meetings, not at the Development Standing committee that I chair, not at any Essex Region Conservation meetings that I have chaired. I believe someone who truly wants to make Windsor a better city should show up in the 4 years between elections.
Was there nothing to advocate for? Did they agree with every budget decision we have made? Was there no new development that they were against?
I have seen other candidates in other wards, like Darcy Renaud in Ward 1, come before council and delegate about issues that she was passionate about. That is how you can gain experience before you run for council. This is a year with many new inexperienced councillors coming on board, we don’t need more. You need to trust your councillor to make sound business decisions overseeing a billion dollar budget. I believe that I have earned that, and I ask for your vote on October 26th.
Thank you,
Jim
