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Meet the candidates for Deputy Mayor in the upcoming municipal election

October 13, 2022   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

With the municipal elections coming up on Monday, Oct. 24, the New Tecumseth Times is providing candidates for Deputy Mayor the opportunity to reach out to readers, in their own words, and explain why they believe they deserve your vote and what they would like to accomplish.

We asked each candidate four questions.

Michael Beattie

What would you tell New Tecumseth residents about yourself that would encourage them to vote for you?

Councillor, Ward 2, 2014-Present. Alternate Councillor, Simcoe County Council 2019/2020. Canine Control Committee, 2014-Present. Property Standards Committee, 2014-Present. Youth Advisory Committee, 2016-Present Alliston. BIA Board Member – 2014-Present. Gibson Cultural Centre Board Member 2014-2018. Accessibility Advisory Committee Member 2014-2018.

I believe that our next leaders must possess both experience and vision. The experience to see us through a period of rapid growth, and the vision so see beyond elections and beyond politics. I’ve learned and prepared over the last eight years, and I’ve built many great working relationships with my colleagues and our exceptional staff. I was elected by my colleagues to serve us on Simcoe County Council for 2019/2020, making me the only candidate with both the local and regional experience necessary to hit the ground running on day one as Deputy Mayor.

Do you have a specific goal in regards to upcoming town projects you think is important for residents to know you will strive to achieve if elected?

We will see much growth in the coming years, and with that comes many opportunities and challenges. We need a united Council that can manage and leverage that growth on behalf of our existing residents, so that those key projects our community have been waiting can get done sooner. I also believe part of that solution should involve securing a secondary water supply for New Tecumseth, in addition to our existing water supply agreement, and that’s something I’ll ensure we explore.

Do you have a specific goal re infrastructure and development that you think is important?

The fact is we will grow by two ways – up by way of intensification, and out by way of settlement boundary expansions. Council will need to give serious consideration to any and all intensification projects, as these will take some of the pressure off of our boundaries. This is where managing and leveraging development is key – ensuring growth does indeed pay for growth. Municipalities have the largest share of responsibility, and yet we only receive about nine cents of every tax dollar. That needs to change, and I will be an advocate for that change at all levels of government. 

What do you think is the most important responsibility of the position of Deputy Mayor on an elected Town Council?

I believe that the most important responsibility of our next Deputy Mayor is making sure that Council remains united and moving forward. I will ensure that Council sets its strategic plan for the term in our first 100 days, where we can establish and build on common ground, set measurable goals, and deliver over the next four years on a vision for our community that unites us.

David Ghobrial, MD

What would you tell New Tecumseth residents about yourself that would encourage them to vote for you?

I had the honour of being nominated to run as the MPP candidate for Simcoe-Grey for the 2022 elections. I have been involved in community politics and in the community, running a walk-in clinic in Beeton, which serves over 3000 patients a year from all over New Tecumseth and beyond.

Listening to not only people’s physical and mental health complaints but seeing their growing frustrations with the quickly changing way of life. 

As such, I have decided to run for office to support the people of New Tecumseth and implement sensible policies.

I am a hard worker, strong leader, team player that would not seize to work for the benefit of the town and its citizens. 

I am a strong believer that towns are built on healthy communities made up of strong family and community values and ethics 

Do you have a specific goal in regards to upcoming town projects you think is important for residents to know you will strive to achieve if elected?

I will strive to ensure already approved developments are offering improvements to amenities and infrastructures in our towns.

Ensure we are growing at a rate in keeping with our infrastructure and in an environmentally responsible manner.

Do you have a specific goal re infrastructure and development that you think is important?

Amenities in keeping up with the sprawling subdivisions. Ensuring a variety of housing and low-rise condos (only in C1 designated areas) in order to reduce the land use and the need for expansion into agricultural and forest designated areas.

What do you think is the most important responsibility of the position of Deputy Mayor on an elected Town Council?

Working as part of the team and having a strong voice that represents the citizens of New Tecumseth. 

Stephanie MacLellan

What would you tell New Tecumseth residents about yourself that would encourage them to vote for you in the upcoming election?

Hi! I’m Stephanie MacLellan, and I am running to be your next Deputy Mayor. I have been a councillor since 2018, representing Ward 6. 

A lifelong resident of New Tecumseth, I work as a restaurant manager and legal assistant outside of council and try to volunteer whenever I can.

I would tell them that I understand their needs and want to advocate for what matters to them at the Council table and at Simcoe County. Costs are rising all around us and they need someone who recognizes that their tax dollars should be spent wisely.
Beyond New Tecumseth I believe that our town needs a strong voice on Simcoe County that fights for what our town needs.

Do you have a specific goal regarding upcoming town projects you think is important for

residents to know you will strive to achieve if elected?
Yes! The Trans Canada Trail needs to be completed. The popularity of the trail is clear, and we are nearly finished! I want to lead the charge to connect the trail and champion more projects that increase accessibility and fitness.
Further to that, I want to focus on making our towns more livable with greenspaces, pathways and infrastructure that supports shopping locally and improves our local economy.

This all comes down to my focus on the resident’s quality of life. We live in a great town, but we have much more potential to unlock.

Do you have a specific focus with regards to infrastructure and development that you think is

important?
Growth is one of the biggest concerns I hear from residents. With growth comes opportunity but also challenges. I am asking for your vote because I believe strongly that this requires leadership and the right focus.
Growth should, as a standard, improve our quality of life by investing in infrastructure that benefits us all and not just a few. As I mentioned in what projects I want to see completed, they do not come without a cost. Development should and can pay for these improvements, something I would advocate for and have advocated for since I’ve been elected.

What do you think is the most important responsibility of the position of Deputy Mayor on an elected Town Council?
The Deputy Mayor serves as an additional vote on council but also as another voice for all New Tecumseth. Someone who promotes the town’s interests but also listens to residents and brings their concerns to the table.

With our population rapidly increasing, this role has become more important than ever. A compassionate and forward-thinking leader that understands the complexities of government and communicates clearly with their constituents.

Beyond the council, the Deputy Mayor’s vote at Simcoe County has profound importance in that many of our services are managed at the County level.
I want to bring the same focus of affordability and quality of life to County Chambers that I will bring to Town Council. Frankly… you deserve it. 


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