The key to our economic development in Cavan Monaghan Township lies in our Agricultural Heritage.  What is more important to us than Food and Water?  Cavan Monaghan is blessed with water and fertile soil over a rolling landscape of astonishing beauty.  We probably have more agriculturally productive land capacity in this Township than any other in Peterborough County.  Located on the edge of GTA and the corridor of the Kawartha Lakes systems and cottage country, we are in a prime position for an "Agricultural Renaissance", which means bringing innovative ideas and incentives to our farmers aimed at diversification of farm product and service.  It also means,  "Agri-Tourism",  which extends not only to existing large acreage farm operations, but to the development and incentivization of small business in the production of secondary agricultural products (where viable)  on urban and rural residentially zoned properties.  Zoning by-laws need to be more permissive to allow this to happen.  Zoning by-laws should also be more permissive to allow agriculturally zoned properties to expand to commercial uses of land, including retail operations for the sale of secondary agricultural products, restaurants and tourist accommodations.   My definition of Agricultural products is wide, and includes such things as fish farming, trees, horticulture, wild harvesting, natural wellness products and services, artisan goods, and more.   We have the resources; we just need to be more resourceful, and as a municipal government, more helpful.  

Everyone knows that we are still  living inside an Affordable Housing Crisis.  What can we do about it?  We need to protect farmland from loss to large scale residential development, and be conscientious about our environmentally sensitive lands; and, at the same time create affordable housing for our Millennials and incoming population who will drive our economy forward; as well as provide accessible housing that will keep our senior population living within our Township boundaries.  In 2019 the Province of Ontario introduced an action plan to create more housing, housing diversity (including Tiny Homes), and affordability by reducing government "red tape" which adds thousands of dollars to the average cost of a new home, multi-plex rental housing, and conversion of existing homes and functionally obsolete buildings to multi-unit mixed residential and commercial uses.  It is up to municipal governments to implement provincial mandates to create housing.  It's important that "not-in-my-backyard" attitudes do not disable our Seniors,  multi-generational families, entrepreneurial Millennials and later generations from having housing and business opportunities within our Township.  If it's within our power, I would like to see our "Jail Site" (owned by our Provincial Government) become a garden house style condominium complex targeted to seniors.  By applying all my skills and knowledge, working with related government agencies (including lending agencies) as well as Township Staff and fellow Council members - I am qualified, ready and willing to pick up the housing crisis challenge.  

There are many privately owned pockets of non-productive land within our Township which are subject to environmental constraints, some of which are landlocked as a result of the failure of the former Township of Cavan to adopt the Planning Act in the late 1960s when it was first legislated by the Province of Ontario.   Some of these parcels of land should be encouraged to amalgamate with adjoining residential parcels to create larger parcels for primary or secondary agricultural production.  Some are so environmentally precious that the right course of action would be to encourage charitable donation to a Community Land Trust for sanctuary of wildlife on wetlands and woodland habitat, where Ontario's endangered species of plants and animals are protected, and propagated.   There are some which are large enough and capable of being  partially developed to help solve our housing crisis.  In exchange for the  development of needed housing,  developers of larger parcels should donate excess land to publicly owned natural parklands or for expansion of such ongoing projects as "Millbrook Valley Trails".  For smaller, individually owned vacant lands parcels, I believe our Township should become proactive toward development of environmentally friendly, alternative housing, including Tiny Home complexes.  As it is, landowners and prospective buyers of environmentally constrained lands become frustrated with the lack of guidance through the endless, costly and difficult-to-interpret studies and paperwork of private consultants, Conservation Authorities, and our zoning by-laws.  To this end, I would like to see a new Committee of Council set up to assist Agricultural and Environmental landowners toward productive and responsible land use. 

The global issue of climate change is intrinsically involved in Land Use and Planning, and I thank our current Council of the Township of Cavan Monaghan for implementing a Climate Change Action Plan.   Ideally, we all want to live, work and shop in our local community.  Realistically, we can do this, because: We have it all, Right here.    By making wise Land Use and Planning decisions, we will see more families working from home, more production and diversity of food from our agricultural sector, more shopping options within our Township and in Downtown Millbrook where local artisan, environmental and re-use product already defines our retail character.  We shall see more environmentally-friendly housing, more time for daily "staycation" in our own public spaces and at community events; and, more appreciation for mother nature.  All of this translates to more oxygen and less carbon dioxide into our air.    Advances in technology have and will continue to help us get to our goals when dealing with climate change and expansion of our agricultural economy.  Quality internet access and cell service across all areas of our Township and promotion of electric automobiles, are two areas we need to work on.   I am extremely proud to live and work in this Township, mostly because of the people who live here.  We are a diverse group of  friendly, helpful and collaborative people.  We volunteer our time to make our community better.  We are weird and wonderful, and we celebrate our community.   Together, we can mitigate the negative effects of climate change, and, we can adapt.     

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