Niagara *can* be the best place to live

Thursday morning, I released my election platform. In it, I indicated that we need to do better at attracting and retaining young people. I said we need to ensure taxpayers are getting value for their dollar. I said we need to do better at engaging our citizens and building community. I said we need to work together as a city and as a region. I said I would keep these things in mind with every decision I make at the Council table.

On Thursday evening, I read this opinion column on the St. Catharines Standard's website: Niagara isn't the best place to live, by Grant LaFleche. It was based on this Money Sense article.

St. George's Ward Boundaries

As a refresher, here are two pictures that show the boundaries of St. George's Ward.

Essentially, the south side of Scott Street, to the east side of Geneva Street, to the north side of Welland Avenue/QEW/Eastchester Avenue, to the canal.

Election Platform

I hesitate to call it a "platform" because, of course, municipal politics does not work the way that provincial and federal politics do. There aren't supposed to be "party" politics at the municipal level. Councillors aren't supposed to vote on issues based on "party" affiliations (which isn't to say that it doesn't happen; just that it's not supposed to).