Robert's Platform
Robert's Platform
I'm currently out knocking on doors across Ward 5 almost everyday, and based on my conversations with residents across the ward, there's a lot that needs to be done, time to let me get to work.
IMPROVE CITY COMMUNICATIONS
Many folks in Ward 5 feel that there's a lack of representative presence in their neighbourhood, I'm going to change that. Not only will you see me representing you at city hall, you'll see me walking your streets, looking for feedback and opportunities for improvements.
I'll bring back Town Hall Meetings, and speak with integrity and honesty, about what is happening at City Hall. Can't make it to the town hall, let me know and I'll come to you. Got a community event? Apartment BBQ? I'll be there.
There also needs to be a more progressive approach with how the city communicates city council meeting agendas and summaries, upcoming community events, plus decisions that affect your community. No more expecting you to find the news that impacts you and your community, I'll bring it to you, consistently and honestly.
A secure and affordable place to live is a right for every Canadian, and the city should be working to help get people into homes, not the opposite. Whether it's resolving building material challenges or finding the correct balance of development charges and fees, the city can do a better job building more affordable and desirable homes for its residents.
BAN THE SALE OF CITY OWNED HOMES WHILE OCCUPIED
The city's decision to attempt to sell the homes on Glenwood in 2024, while these homes were still occupied, was unacceptable. This would have forced the occupants out of their residences, and into a much less affordable home, or worse, the streets.
I'll work with the new city council to change the by-laws, to ensure the city can never sell a city owned home, while occupied. Brantford residents deserve to know the city has its back.
The current system isn't working well enough for everyone involved, that includes the humans suffering from addiction, the good folks working to help them, and those living with the aftermath in their neighbourhoods. The housing and funding shortage for these programs needs to be addressed, or else the broken cycle will just continue. More pressure for funding from higher level governments is a start, but we also need to look within and see what resources the city can lean on to assist in the short-term.
Working with the brave men and women in the 3 main branches of emergency services (Fire, Paramedics and the Police), I'd like to increase their neighborhood visibility, improve service abilities, base locations, and staffing shortages to meet their needs, and the needs of the community.
Smarter policy & decision-making that spends taxpayer money in a fiscally responsible way, is my way. I'll be focusing on upgrading and maintaining our communities, over starting new large projects. The city's way behind on spending for maintenance for our communities, it's time to change that.
The new council will also be tasked with working with the provincial government to create new revenue streams for the city, as well as to bring in new businesses to create secure, well-paying job opportunities for this city's residents.
Noise pollution, speeding concerns, traffic violations, car break-ins, they're everywhere. Your community could be more comfortable with some new measures in place, so let's get together, and see what we can do to improve your neighborhood. Maybe it's some natural noise barriers, increasing police presence on your streets, or improving transit accessibility. Whatever the concerns are, together, we can resolve them.
When a new local business opens, it should have the full support of the city behind it. We can make startups more affordable by exploring fee exceptions, increasing brand awareness throughout the year to bring in more traffic, and even create a city issued coupon for residents buying products or services from businesses in Brantford.
You thought the council meetings were rough, have you seen the roads? A variety of services need support and updating, like road maintenance, snow and tree removal, transit modernization, homelessness reduction measures, addiction solutions, and much more. Let's focus on you and your community.
I look forward to the opportunity to build on the rich history between the City of Brantford and the Six Nations, as well as to work with them to foster a healthy and respectful relationship between the Municipalities and the Six Nations Community.
These are a blight on our lands, with no real job creation and a drain on natural resources. I stand against the building of data centres, in and around Brantford and the County of Brant.
Ward 5 residents surrounding the Sonoco plant on Park Ave, deserve more than a chain link fence separating them from Sonoco. The combination of exhaust from idling trucks, noise and light pollution, and of course the odor, makes living near the plant a troublesome experience. We can look at erecting solid physical barriers to reduce the noise and light pollution, and filtration systems for the plants exhaust systems.
Holy Cross and every other school should have a timed window each morning and afternoon, where they can park near the schools to drop-off or pick-up their kids. Enough predatory ticketing in school zones, let's make it a calm area for parents to get in and out of, without worrying about fines.
PARK ILLUMINATION
Tutela Park is the prime example of a park in need of late night illumination. The youth and parents have spoken, make parks more accessible and install lights that limit light pollution, yet lets the public enjoy the parks later into the night. We can find solutions that work for everyone, so let's chat.
PROTECTING GREEN SPACES
Brantford has some of the most amazing greenspaces in the province, and I support the protection and enhancements of our parks, greenspaces, farmlands and natural resources.
AGAINST THE BRANTFORD AIRPORT BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
The lack of transparency and discussion regarding such a large scale move is concerning, and the residents of Brantford and the County of Brant deserve honesty and clarity before this moves forward. Until the new council has time to review and discuss this with all parties involved, this idea should remain shelved.