10/17/2026
Today is the second in-person Advance Poll for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Municipal Election!
Where: The Simpson Room at the Community Centre at 14 Anderson Lane.
When:10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
I am asking for your vote for Lord Mayor. I am prepared, ready to serve, and bring a proven track record of protecting what makes our community so special. With a collaborative approach to leadership, I am ready to lead Niagara-on-the-Lake into a brighter, less divisive future.
And I understand what this responsibility means, because I have spent my entire adult life serving this community.
Through our family business, through volunteering and sitting on local boards, such as the Library Board and Municipal Heritage Committee, through my years as a Municipal Councillor from 2003 to 2014, and for the past four years as your Regional Councillor serving on Public Health and Social Services and Vice-Chair of Economic Development.
I know what it means to serve.
I am also know what it means to lead in the community, and in business.
I have deep roots in Niagara-on-the-Lake volunteering on many boards, while running a small business for my family.
At an early age, after graduating from University with a degree in History and Politics, life took an unexpected turn and I began managing The Anchorage Motel Bar and Grill, so I understand what it means to run a small business.
During this time, I also volunteered as the Niagara Nursery School president and sat on the Chamber of Commerce Board as Vice-President. I then went on to work at a local winery as Director of Marketing for over 20 years and over the course of this time Chaired Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake Marketing Cooperative, served on the board of Ontario Craft Wineries and also Chaired Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario. I also taught courses in Business Planning, Marketing and Communications at Niagara College for over a decade.
My specific experience and leadership at the region will also be necessary to protect Niagara-on-the-Lake from any threat of amalgamation.
I am the only Mayoral candidate with regional experience. And that matters.
After this election, the Lord Mayor will be Niagara-on-the-Lake’s only elected representative at Regional Council so my experience at the Region is particularly important.
Over the past four years at the Region, I have also shown my ability to take action and facilitate change.
When I was fist elected, I started to worked with agencies and all levels of government to create an agreement to reopen Niagara Shores Park and secure funding for the clean up of our retired sewage lagoons.
And in only four years I have tackled two of the biggest and long standing issues at the region that affect taxpayers in Niagara-on-the-Lake by ending uncapped discretionary grants to developers in favour of targeted support for affordable and attainable housing, and for the first time, advancing a review of how regional policing costs are allocated.
Just recently the Niagara Regional Police Board endorsed my motion and will be working with the region to help facilitate change.
I will also use all of this experience to build a strong, prosperous and healthy community by securing more regional services for Niagara-on-the-Lake including a fixed regional transit route, expanded youth and seniors services, additional seniors housing, as well as an additional long term care home, and more regional housing. I will also seek to bring an urgent care centre back into our community.
But let me be clear: my experience does not mean I represent the status quo. In fact,I am running because I believe we need change.
And after personally knocking on thousands of doors across all of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I have heard directly from residents, that they agree with me.
I believe residents want more transparency, more collaboration and most importantly, elected officials who listen.
I have always believed good leadership starts with listening and I am not only ready to listen, but have a proven track record of listening.
I know it is important to hear different perspectives so we can find common ground and develop better policy and find practical solutions to better serve residents. Listening will also protect what makes Niagara-on-the-Lake special, while still moving forward.
We can have responsible, right-sized growth while protecting our agricultural lands, heritage, natural environment, village character and residents’ quality of life. And to achieve this it will imperative that we prioritize climate resilience and take the necessary steps to protect our environment.
I know this is possible because I have done it before when I served on town council from 2003 through 2014 when we achieved this balance.
I have done the work. I am doing the work. And I will always do the work, and will be able to hit the ground running on day one to bring change and serve you as Lord Mayor.
I hope to earn your vote and thank you for your consideration.
