Trust at the Top
As I meet with residents in this campaign, the number one issue I hear about is trust.
You’ve been feeling like this Town is running behind closed doors for far too long.
You’re saying that Town Hall’s leadership is broken, distracted, and detached from the public. In the last four years, leaders at Town Hall have openly criticized the public for having opinions and expressing them.
That isn’t democratic at all.
You’re saying that it was a mistake to allow rezoning for a massive commercial development at 325 King Street in the middle of a quiet residential area, and an even worse mistake to hand a rich developer nearly a million dollars of public money in the process.
You’re saying that the Town dropped the ball when they refused to declare an emergency after massive flooding washed out peoples’ basements and fields.
You’re saying that the Town has become obsessed with parking lots, and it makes no sense to turn one of the Town’s last public spaces at 176 Wellington Street in to a massive hotel for cars and tourists. You’re saying that it should be a hub for community services, full stop.
You’re saying that the Committee of Adjustment is out of control, and keeps approving “minor variances” that are having a major impact on how our community looks and feels.
You’re saying that no one will listen when you are shouting that a massive roundabout should not be rammed in to the middle of St. Davids. You’re saying that this is a perfect example of how Niagara Region and its leaders have failed you, are wasting money and don’t care about pedestrian safety or community feel at the local level.
You’re saying that turning our regional airport in to an international terminal for billionaires who want to visit Niagara Falls casinos will do nothing to help our local community and what regular people need here.
You’re saying that community facilities used by people of all ages for local sports and
recreation are in desperate need of updates, renovation and improvement.
You don’t believe that more “guardrails” on growth will really protect this Town from being ruined forever.
You don’t trust other candidates to put the needs of regular people before their own personal interests, family connections and private businesses.
You’re saying you’ve had enough.
You’re saying it’s time for a change.
And I agree with you.
Here’s what I trust: you.
I trust the residents I am meeting who say they are looking for a Lord Mayor who has no
business or family relationships with big developers and land holders.
I trust that to enjoy our future, we have to honour our past.
I trust that youth sports and recreation league leaders know what our communities need most, and deserve a seat at the table.
I trust that “full time” really means full time.
I trust that local charities will benefit from the donation of my Lord Mayor salary, and that local services will benefit from this one small thing I can do right away.
I trust that you want all voting records and all Councillor expenses to be made public, so you can see how every member of Council decides on your future and spends your money.
I trust that when online voting opens on October 5, and at Advance Polls on October 7 and 17, and then on election day, you will choose the one person who will work full time for you.
It’s time for a change you can trust.
It’s time to vote Vaughn Goettler for Lord Mayor, full time.
Learn more and get involved at vaughngoettlerforlordmayor.com
