Mayor
Niagara Region
Provided strategic leadership to Council, staff and the community.Worked collaboratively with Council, Staff, volunteers, the public, and other governmental representatives (MPs, MPPs, Ministers, Mayors, Councillors, staff) to achieve community goals.Major Achievements:Meridian Community Centre:• Worked with community, volunteers, council, staff, and consultants to develop business case, design, and construct new $35.5M, 143,000 square-foot, two-story multi-purpose facility with two gymnasiums, twin NHL-sized arenas, indoor walking track, community rooms, offices, etc.• Project completed on-time and $0.78M under-budget.• Headed capital and community campaigns, raising $3.3M in gifts and pledges (10% more than $3M goal).• Secured 5-year contacts with significant users / community groups.Stimulus Funding:• Led efforts to secure Federal & Provincial stimulus funding for +$13.6M of lasting community projects – second highest per capita funding in Niagara.• Projects included: Downtown Fonthill Revitalization, Fenwick Fire Hall, Nine fully-accessible playgrounds, Town Hall addition, collector road reconstruction.• Town had never previously secured grants from upper levels of government.Maintained and Enhanced Protection of Fonthill Kame:• Worked with community, planners, Regional Council, Ministers of Natural Resources and Ministry staff, and local MPPs to secure long-term protection of Fonthill Kame-Delta ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest) from threats of aggregate and housing developments.Recent Corporate Awards:- Age Friendly Community, World Health Organization, (2018);- Best Greening Festival / Event, Pelham Supper Market, Festivals & Events Ontario (2018);- Policy & Plan Award, East Fonthill Mixed Use Centre, Niagara Community Design Awards in Urban Design & Architecture (2016);- Public Realm Improvement Award, Fenwick Streetscape Improvements, Niagara Community Design Awards (2015);