EloraFergusToday asked candidates in the upcoming municipal election to tell us a little bit about themselves and their platform.
Name: Sara Bailey
Occupation: I am a mom of three, occasional teacher and a municipal councillor for the Township of Puslinch.
How long have you lived in Puslinch? I have lived in Puslinch for 19 years.
Why are you running in this election? I am passionate about our home town and the Puslinch community. I want to maintain a positive connection between residents and local government and have been able to positively contribute in my role as municipal councillor. I want our children to grow up in a community where they can thrive and be proud to call home.
What qualifies you to represent Puslinch? I am an competent and active member in the Puslinch community in a number of capacities including:
- secretary for the Badenoch Community Center
- treasurer for Puslinch minor ball
- member of PLCA
- chair of Puslinch Safe Communities and member of Wellington County Safe Communities
- Aberfoyle Public School volunteer
- past president of Whistle-stop Pre-school
- Puslinch Garden Gnomes co-founder
I am in touch with many residents of Puslinch with a variety of backgrounds that make me a good fit for representative on council. I have experience as a teacher, kinesiologist, fitness instructor, parent, partner, business administrator and gardener. I am a creative problem solver, a collaborator, a good listener, keen to learn and willing to compromise when required. I am prepared to work hard for the benefit of our community.
Why should people vote for you? I am competent, approachable, a good communicator, respectful and kind, open minded and have a passion for our community of Puslinch. I consider all points of view before making a decision. I have been a member of the most cohesive Puslinch council in recent memory. I enjoy being a contributing member of our town council.
What do you see as the main issues facing residents of Puslinch on a broader scale? Some of most consequential issues we face in Puslinch relate to aggregate extraction, water health and water taking, growth, road maintenance and improvement including the Morriston bypass as well as developing recreation opportunities.
What is the most important thing you want to see changed in Puslinch? We live in a wonderful part of the world and need to take care of it for the future of our children and community. We need to better manage our relationships and cooperation with business and industry to protect that future.
What services need to be improved in Puslinch? We need to continue to leverage partners in the development of recreational opportunities. We need to continue to ensure and improve reasonable access to internet services. We need to continue to pressure the provincial government to complete the Morriston by-pass recognizing the economic impact of the highway bottleneck in Morriston and for the safety and well being of our community members and commuters.
Is Puslinch growing too fast, just the right amount, or not fast enough? We need to manage growth in Puslinch recognizing the importance of our agricultural history and land base as well as natural features while balancing reasonable industrial development and the critical need for more economical residential opportunities. I am in favour of well planned, sustainable growth that respects the natural environment.
What can be done at the local level about the rising cost of housing? I am pleased to have contributed along with Puslinch council to new residential accessory unit regulation that will help to create more residential opportunities within the township.
What should be done to address ongoing issues with the aggregate industry? We need to support the efforts of TAPMO and our mayor’s role within the organization to manage this important resource.
How do we make Puslinch an even better place to live? We need to continue to create a community where people feel they can be heard and respected and where we all want to be involved. We should maintain positive communication, community participation and improve parks and meeting spaces where folks want to gather and share in our wonderful community.
