Oh, so many surveys!

 

I have received a lot of email in the last while, much of it from people who want to know where I stand on issues that are near and dear to their hearts, and I do my level best to get back to the people who reach out. 

But I have really been struggling with the volume of surveys and questionnaires.

Since taking office, I've tried to be respectful of everyone's time; both staff and council, while also being respectful of the rules of procedure and keeping my values in mind. I vote for what I think is right for the town.

So, I thought hard about it and here's the reply I sent to the many surveys and questionnaires that have come in:

 

Hello and thanks for reaching out.

I have received correspondence from more than a dozen groups like yours, all seeking detailed information about my stand on their particular interest. 

The questions pertain to but are not limited to: pickleball courts, tennis courts, climate change, current developments under discussion and/or construction, future hockey facilities, future arts facilities, additional housing, retention of neighbourhood character, the Sports Hall of Fame, speed limits, the paving of particular streets, the location of the hospital, adding bike lanes, prevention of the addition of bike lanes, limiting development, and promoting development. 

Some groups are asking me to sign pledges and others want to plumb the depths of my knowledge on their particular issue. Please be assured I have read all these enquiries and have thought seriously about all of them.

Here is my answer to the questions and questionnaires:

I will be a mayor for everyone, and I will listen to and seek to understand the perspectives of all our wonderful citizens. I have and will continue to take expert advice on the issues that come to the table.

Collingwood is growing rapidly and we need amenities and facilities to support our new neighbours and those of us who already live here. I promise to work toward these needed improvements by working collaboratively with council and staff and, most importantly, insisting on clean governance.

During my time so far in office, I have voted on hundreds of issues, I have learned about the powers and the limitations of municipal government. I have worked with the Conservation Authority and the County of Simcoe. I have supported moving forward on many issues such as the terminals, the water treatment plant, the deal with New Tecumseth on who pays for the water plant, careful work on the proposed Poplar Sideroad development, the Official Plan and budgets with tax increases of merely zero and one percent.

During this campaign, I have deliberately refrained from making empty promises. I will continue to work toward the improvements we need to make. I was raised here, enjoyed success elsewhere, and chose Collingwood for my forever home. I care deeply about this place and I will work tirelessly to create our very best future.

I live my values and I stand by my voting record. I have learned what the job of the Mayor is and it would be an honour to continue to serve.

Respectfully,

Mariane McLeod   

About the Candidates' Event

Traditionally, the big events of any election in Collingwood were the candidates' events held either at the Legion or at the big hotel in the west end. I remember one year, Sweetie and I had to sit on the floor in front of the front row at Vacation Inn, because the room was so packed. 

For many years, I was on the media panel that would pose the questions during the forums for municipal, provincial, or federal candidates. It's very different being the one who answers the questions instead of the one who is asking them. 

The format has now changed, and there are no longer questions from the media. Questions submitted in advance were placed in a jar, and randomly asked. I think there were seven for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor event.  In addition, the opening remarks were expanded from three minutes to five and the closing remarks were limited to two minutes.

The video hasn't been made available yet, but here are my opening and closing remarks, in case you were one of the people who didn't get in, because the chairs filled up early:

 Click here to go to my website

Opening remarks: 

Good evening, and thanks for being here to show your interest in Collingwood’s future. Thank you to the Chamber for once again hosting this important event.

I know Collingwood, I know the job and I’m ready to serve as mayor.

The mayor’s primary job (as dull as this sounds) is running efficient and effective meetings, as I have learned to do.

The mayor has to listen to the whole town, and to understand, defend and explain the decisions that are made at council – even if they disagree with those decisions.   

The mayor also represents Collingwood to the rest of the world – literally- we host a conference of the United Nations; the mayor attends the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and goes to Simcoe County Council as I have already been doing for the last year or so.  

This year you can elect a candidate who knows the town’s history, because I lived it. I was born here, graduated from CCI, my friends and I watched the last ships being launched and my dad worked at the terminals. For eleven years I was the one to wake you up, telling you what was going on at the council table and around Collingwood on morning radio.

This year, you can also elect a candidate who experienced success elsewhere, and chose Collingwood as their forever home, as hundreds of us do, every year.

During my time as a journalist in Toronto, I spoke to a million people a day on 680 news and CHFI. I interviewed hundreds of decision-makers, asked hard questions and followed up when the answers were less than forthright. I brought that same thoroughness to the council table the last four years.

I chose to represent Collingwood on the Conservation Authority because I believe in its science-based, pragmatic and practical approach to environmental stewardship, planning and regulation. I was chosen by councillors from 17 other municipalities to be the Chair of the Board – twice.

I believe in sustainability not just for the environment, though, but also for your taxes. I’m the one who sent the budget back for a re-do last year when staff brought Council a bigger increase than instructed.

I’m conscious of budget increases because I know in my bones how it feels to work hard and still struggle to pay the taxes and the mortgage.

In me, you get in me a mayor who knows about an honest day’s work, like the ones I put in at Harding Carpets and Cranberry Resort as I paid my way through college.

In me, you get a mayor who is respectful of the work our staff puts in, and who honours your tax dollars by not wasting time either at the council table or in the offices at town hall. 

You will also get a mayor who is grateful every day for how amazing great this place really is. Why else would so many people want to move here?

There was no train trail when I was growing up -- there were trains. And I am so grateful for the forward thinking folks who said yes to the trails. There was almost no access to the harbour, either, because it was still polluted from 100 years of industry.

We are getting better all the time, and it’s still a thrill to jump from the quay.

But there is still a lot to do. With thousands new neighbours on their way, the challenge is to grow in a responsible way.

I will continue to bring clean, unbiased, informed and responsible decision-making to the issues that arise. I will be an unwavering champion for Collingwood on the local, provincial, federal and global stage.

I have refrained from making empty promises about every amenity getting a ribbon cutting first thing tomorrow morning, but I do promise to continue working on the items we’re all concerned with, including improved parks, a thoughtful infrastructure program, a rec. centre and an arts centre. We need all of it, as we continue to welcome our new neighbours. 

We also need places for everyone to live, places they can afford. That’s why I supported the plan to make it easier to put in Accessory units, and why I spoke with the Minister of Housing about inclusionary zoning.  

We also have to make sure everyone who makes their home in Collingwood, feels at home in Collingwood, supporting the great work of the Unity Collective and our Reconciliation efforts.

This is a tricky election. Together, we need to be sure there is no return invitation to the people who cost our community so dearly through the actions that led to the Judicial Inquiry.

We also can’t put out a welcome mat for their replacements: we have learned what happens when elected officials have a too-cozy relationship with developers and vendors.

I want to work with people of character.

Please pick me a council that has an open mind, that does its homework, refrains from online attacks, and which support decisions made by the whole of council.

We need curious hard workers on the team so we can make great decisions to move the town forward. Together.

It has been an honour to serve as a Councillor and now as Deputy Mayor. I have worked hard, I have learned, and I have loved it.  

I will bring youth and enthusiasm, diligence and dedication to the table as Head of Council when you elect McLeod for Mayor. 

Closing remarks:

Four years ago, I stood in this room and told you it was an honour to serve as councillor.

I promised I would do my level best to deserve it.

I have done the work. I learned how it works. I even got the jacket.

I represented you at Simcoe County, the Conservation Authority and to the provincial government.  I built relationships with councillors from across Simcoe, Grey, Bruce and Dufferin Counties.

I helped other women navigate their municipal councils, and encouraged and assisted new candidates.

And even -before- the election was on, I showed up.

At hockey games and flag raisings, education sessions, art shows and skating carnivals, concerts, plays, ribbon cuttings and unveilings and all of it, because you put me here and part of the job is to show up on your behalf.

I chaired committees and the council and my meetings were efficient and effective, respectful of everyone’s time.

My campaign team is respectful too. We’re not running AGAINST anyone. We’re running FOR the job, which is to represent the whole town, even those who don’t support me. YET.

The endorsement I seek is from a woman who has lived in Collingwood all of her 72 years, and tells anybody who will listen, she has never been moved to canvass for a candidate before now.

 She’s out with me every day, meeting you.

I grew up here, too, but like so many of you, I chose this for my forever home.

My work as a journalist taught me to learn and be objective. I have gathered the experience and knowledge to guide Collingwood as we move forward, together.

You have the chance to elect a young, energetic, community champion and servant who knows what the job of Mayor actually is, who can hit the ground running,  who respects and cares for ALL our neighbours, and who would consider it an honour if you chose McLeod for Mayor.