From the campaign.

Every dollar Council spends ultimately comes from somewhere.

We all want good roads, safe neighbourhoods, parks, recreation, reliable infrastructure and the services our community depends on.

But we also have to recognize that many households are feeling stretched right now.

For me, responsible municipal spending means asking more than "Would this be nice to have?"

We also need to ask: Can we afford it right now? What will it cost taxpayers not just today, but over the long term? Is there a more cost-effective way to accomplish the same goal? And is this a priority residents actually need?

I believe Council has a responsibility to provide the services our community relies on while remembering that the money being spent belongs to the taxpayers.

I'd like to hear from you: When you look at your property tax bill, what Town service do you consider essential — and where do you think we need to be more careful with spending?

I absolutely support Beeton having an arena. Where I struggle is with asking taxpayers, particularly at a time when so many households are already feeling financially stretched, to absorb an approximately 5% tax increase for this project alone.

The financial information presented to Council estimated the single-pad arena option at more than $44 million, with an equivalent tax-rate impact of approximately 5.47%. That's significant, and it can't be considered in isolation from all of the other needs facing our municipality.

So, would I support building that option today under the current financial circumstances? No.

That doesn't mean I don't support Beeton or believe it deserves an arena. Quite the opposite. I want Beeton to have a recreation facility that can serve that community for generations. I just don't believe we should put ourselves in a position where achieving that one goal creates an unaffordable burden for taxpayers or prevents us from addressing roads, infrastructure and other priorities across New Tecumseth.

I would rather continue maintaining and repairing the existing Beeton Memorial Arena, provided it can be operated safely, while we work toward a more financially responsible path to replacement.

That means looking at future growth and the increased tax base it can bring to Beeton, development-charge funding where applicable, reserves, grants and funding opportunities from other levels of government. I would also want to revisit the project as our financial position changes rather than committing taxpayers to the entire burden today.

This is actually one of the reasons I support balanced growth across Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham. Beeton needs additional residents not simply for the tax base, but also to support its businesses, recreation facilities and community services.

I want a new arena for Beeton. The question for me isn't whether Beeton deserves one — it absolutely does. The question is how we get there without placing an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.

Sometimes responsible leadership means saying, "Yes, I support the goal — but no, I don't support the way we're being asked to pay for it today."

As election signs continue to appear around New Tecumseth, I thought it might be helpful to clarify one important part of our Town's Election Sign By-law.

Permission matters. I will say and stipulate if you see my signs somewhere I obtained owner/occupant permission. I am hearing a lot of chatter about signs in my ward and throughout town not following rules.

Election signs cannot be placed on private property without the express consent of the property owner and/or occupant. That also applies to the road allowance in front of a private property — permission from the abutting property owner and/or occupant is required. This applies to residential properties and businesses alike.

For me, it comes down to something pretty simple: respect people's property and ask first.

A lawn sign is a visible expression of support. Homeowners, tenants/occupants and businesses should have the opportunity to decide whether they want a candidate's sign associated with their property.

If an election sign appears on your private property without your permission, the Town's by-law specifically allows the property owner or occupant to remove it.

Election season can get busy, but obtaining permission before placing a sign is a small courtesy — and an important rule — that helps keep the process respectful for everyone.

I still have a few as well if you'd like to support someone who's running an honest campaign with integrity!