Frequently
Asked Questions
Straight Answers on the Issues That Matter to Sarnia
Residents deserve clear answers about where I stand, how I make decisions, and the kind of leadership I will bring to City Hall. This page will continue to be updated as new questions are raised throughout the campaign.
Like many people, circumstances change over time. Some older online biographies and public profiles still reflected where I previously lived, which has understandably caused some confusion. Those outdated references have been corrected where possible.
Today, I live in Sarnia, meet every legal requirement to serve as Mayor, and am fully committed to the future of our city.
The facts are straightforward: I live in Sarnia and am proud to call Sarnia home.
I believe residents deserve accurate information, which is why I've addressed this question directly.
I live in Sarnia because it is my home.
My decision to run for Mayor wasn't about where I live—it was about where I believe I can make the greatest contribution. My career has been dedicated to strengthening Sarnia-Lambton through business leadership, economic development, community partnerships, and bringing people together to solve problems.
Running for Mayor is a continuation of that commitment.
I meet every legal requirement established under Ontario's Municipal Elections Act to run for Mayor of Sarnia.
Throughout my career, I've led organizations, worked with governments at every level, managed complex budgets, built partnerships, and brought people together around important community issues.
I believe those experiences have prepared me to lead Sarnia as Mayor.
As CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, I've worked alongside businesses, community organizations, elected officials, and residents to strengthen our local economy and advocate for our community.
I've led organizations, managed budgets, built partnerships, served on numerous boards, and worked collaboratively with people who often had very different perspectives.
Leadership is about listening, making thoughtful decisions, building consensus, and following through. That's the experience I will bring to City Hall.
I don't expect people to support me simply because they know me. I hope they support me because they've worked with me.
Throughout my career, I've built relationships by listening, keeping my commitments, treating people with respect, and following through. If people I've worked alongside are speaking positively about me today, I believe it's because they've experienced that leadership firsthand.
Sarnia has tremendous strengths that we should continue building on, but we also face real challenges that require thoughtful leadership, responsible financial management, and a renewed focus on economic growth, housing, accountability, and quality of life.
Every experience I've had throughout my career has led me to this opportunity. I'm running because I believe I have the experience, leadership, and commitment to help move Sarnia forward.
Sarnia has tremendous strengths that we should continue building on, but we also face real challenges that require thoughtful leadership, responsible financial management, and a renewed focus on economic growth, housing, accountability, and quality of life.
Every experience I've had throughout my career has led me to this opportunity. I'm running because I believe I have the experience, leadership, and commitment to help move Sarnia forward.
Police Headquarters
I recognize that significant deficiencies have been identified in the existing police headquarters and that investment will be required.
The question is not whether improvements are needed. The question is which solution best meets the operational needs of our police service while providing the best long-term value for taxpayers.
We have an obligation to determine whether the existing facility can be renovated, modernized, or expanded to meet those needs. If it cannot, every practical alternative should be carefully evaluated before concluding that a new $91 million-plus headquarters is the best solution.
Any recommendation of this magnitude should be supported by:
- A clear business case
- Transparent analysis
- A thorough evaluation of all available options
- Reliable capital and long-term operating cost estimates
- Confidence that the chosen solution provides the greatest value to both the police service and taxpayers
I do not support beginning with the most expensive option and working backward. We should first define the operational requirements, evaluate every reasonable solution, and make an evidence-based decision.
Significant deficiencies have been identified, and maintaining the status quo indefinitely is not a responsible option. Investment will be required.
My concern is that recognizing the need for investment should not automatically commit taxpayers to one particular project, design, location, or price.
The City should determine what the police service requires over the long term and then assess the most responsible way to meet those needs.
Even then, the current $91 million-plus proposal should not automatically be treated as the only replacement option. Other locations, designs, sizes, construction approaches, and phased solutions should be evaluated before a final decision is made.
Supportive and Affordable Housing
The letter being circulated was written on behalf of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and expressed support for supportive housing as a concept. It did not endorse the George Street location or state that every development proposed by Indwell should be approved.
The letter recognized that supportive housing can help address homelessness, mental-health challenges, addiction, pressure on emergency services, and the impact these issues have on local businesses and the wider community.
It also specifically acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and called for open communication, transparency, education, and continued community engagement.
Supporting supportive housing does not mean supporting every proposed location. Those are separate decisions.
Every proposal should be evaluated on its own merits, with meaningful public consultation and careful consideration of the surrounding neighbourhood.
I support evaluating credible organizations and housing proposals based on the merits of the specific project being presented.
No organization should receive automatic approval for every proposal, and no proposal should be rejected solely because of the organization involved.
The City should consider:
- The proposed location
- The type and scale of housing
- The needs of the intended residents
- Available on-site supports
- Safety and property-management plans
- Compatibility with the surrounding area
- Infrastructure and transportation
- Community consultation
- The long-term effect on both residents and the neighbourhood
The decision must be based on the full proposal, not a slogan or a political label.
However, supporting the need for supportive housing does not mean that every project belongs in every location.
Good planning requires the City to consider both the needs of the people who require housing and the legitimate concerns of existing residents. These responsibilities should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
I support increasing the availability of affordable housing across Sarnia, but I would not approve or reject a development based only on a general description of it.
Any specific proposal in the Cathcart and Colborne area should be evaluated on its own merits, including:
- Its size and density
- The type of housing proposed
- The needs of the future residents
- The services and supports that will be provided
- Traffic, parking, infrastructure, and public safety considerations
- Compatibility with the neighbourhood
- Meaningful consultation with nearby residents
Residents deserve to know exactly what is being proposed and to have their concerns heard before a decision is made.
Supporting vulnerable residents does not require the City to disregard neighbourhood safety, responsible planning, or the concerns of existing residents.
A well-designed project should include appropriate staffing, property management, security, resident supports, accountability measures, and communication with the surrounding community.
Compassion and community safety are not opposing values. Responsible leadership requires us to consider both.
Leadership and Council
Every candidate will decide how they want to conduct their campaign.
I have chosen to focus on ideas, listening to residents, treating people with respect, and explaining how I would approach the decisions facing our city. That is who I am, and it is how I have always led.
Residents will decide what style of leadership they want at City Hall.
No. I have not been involved in discussions to create a coalition or slate of candidates.
My focus is on earning the trust and support of Sarnia residents.
I will work with whoever voters choose to sit around the Council table. A mayor must be able to work respectfully and professionally with every member of Council, including people who may have different perspectives.
Ideas should be judged on their merits, with the best interests of Sarnia at the centre of every decision.
The voters decide who serves on Council. The responsibility of the mayor is to work constructively with the Council they elect.
There will be disagreements. That is normal and healthy in a democratic system. The mayor’s role is not to demand automatic agreement, but to encourage informed debate, build consensus where possible, and keep Council focused on delivering results for the community.
Campaign Conduct
Residents deserve answers to legitimate questions, and I will continue to provide them.
However, I do not believe every social-media accusation should determine the direction of the campaign. My focus is on presenting my experience, priorities, and plans for Sarnia so voters can make an informed decision.
Where factual clarification is necessary, I will provide it. I will not allow personal attacks or political noise to prevent me from talking about the future of our city.
No.
There are important differences between the candidates, and voters deserve to understand them. I will be clear about my own positions and leadership approach without making personal attacks.
My campaign will remain focused on Sarnia, the decisions ahead of us, and the kind of leadership needed to move the city forward.
Decision-Making
I will begin by clearly defining the problem and the outcome the City needs to achieve.
From there, I will expect Council and staff to:
- Gather reliable information.
- Consult the people affected.
- Identify all reasonable options.
- Compare costs, benefits, risks, and long-term consequences.
- Present a clear and transparent business case.
- Establish measurable expectations.
- Report publicly on progress and results.
Major decisions should not begin with a predetermined answer. They should begin with a clear understanding of the problem and end with the solution that provides the strongest long-term outcome for the community.
No.
There are important differences between the candidates, and voters deserve to understand them. I will be clear about my own positions and leadership approach without making personal attacks.
My campaign will remain focused on Sarnia, the decisions ahead of us, and the kind of leadership needed to move the city forward.
Have a question that is not answered here?
Submit it through the campaign contact page. While we may not be able to respond individually to every submission, frequently raised questions will be added to this page.
This page will be updated throughout the campaign as residents raise new questions and additional information becomes available.