Prioritizing Meaningful Consultation
Karolyne's overarching priority is to give her fellow Ward 1 residents the opportunity to provide meaningful input and inform her decisions.
The current level of consultation with residents is completely inadequate. Karolyne intends to work much harder than previous Councillors in engaging the residents of Ward 1 about municipal issues, so that residents are not constantly having to react negatively to proposals put forward by the City. She is already building email and phone lists, which she'll use as councillor to both talk and listen when the tough decisions come up.
Karolyne is committed to meeting as many residents as she can, listening to their concerns, and asking them for their ideas for solutions while sharing her own.
When Karolyne speaks with fellow Ward 1 residents, they say they want Guelph to be a city that has:
Vibrant Neighbourhoods
The east end still lacks commercial services. Although the City of Guelph must hit certain growth targets as laid out by the Province of Ontario's "Places to Grow" legislation, that doesn't mean we have to create more and more residential-only subdivisions.
City council must zone development so that shopping, gas, restaurants and other commercial and recreational services are part of a neighbourhood. Karolyne will advocate for and support mixed-use zoning projects.
Modern Public Transit
It is really disappointing that the attempt to provide increased peak hour bus service failed. Karolyne will support improved transit services that will increase ridership and help take cars off our streets, which will in turn reduce the amount of money the City must spend on road repairs and repaving.
Karolyne will also work with other governments to improve our connectivity with surrounding municipalities.
Innovative City Budget
It's challenging, particularly for seniors, that property taxes are not based on income. Karolyne wants to find new ways to generate revenue for the City so that we are not reliant on increasing property taxes beyond the rate of inflation. Innovative solutions, such as renting out roof space to solar energy providers, or counter space in our recreational facilities for coffee shops, are some of the options that Karolyne will explore as councillor.
City council must zone development so that shopping, gas, restaurants and other commercial and recreational services are part of a neighbourhood. Karolyne will advocate for and support mixed-use zoning projects.
Modern Public Transit
It is really disappointing that the attempt to provide increased peak hour bus service failed. Karolyne will support improved transit services that will increase ridership and help take cars off our streets, which will in turn reduce the amount of money the City must spend on road repairs and repaving.
Karolyne will also work with other governments to improve our connectivity with surrounding municipalities.
Innovative City Budget
It's challenging, particularly for seniors, that property taxes are not based on income. Karolyne wants to find new ways to generate revenue for the City so that we are not reliant on increasing property taxes beyond the rate of inflation. Innovative solutions, such as renting out roof space to solar energy providers, or counter space in our recreational facilities for coffee shops, are some of the options that Karolyne will explore as councillor.
