Candidate Name: Jim McPherson
Position Sought: Councillor
Email: meafordjim@gmail.com
Phone: 519-387-8966
Bio:
Jim McPherson served on Meaford Municipal Council from 2006 to 2010. His education includes a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Concordia University. He worked in Health at the Montreal General Hospital and later in education at the Quebec Ministry of Education as a policy analyst. Jim worked in Alberta and across Canada as a fundraiser and organizer. In Calgary, he started a land development company which he sold in 2003. McPherson and his wife, Karen, moved to Meaford that same year and started the Earth Harvest Cafe which they ran until the end of 2016. They also started their family, having two sons, Jeffrey in 2004 and Edmund in 2008. Jim presently enjoys driving children to and from school as a school bus driver.
Explain your primary reasons for your decision to seek election to Meaford council:
My reasons are the poor state of roads, the high price for water and sewer, concerns over the pump water storage project, staff and council’s lack of communication, and the municipality’s missing of important development deadlines. I currently live on Trowbridge Street and we have been told our street was to be dug up and fixed for two summers now, yet all we have are large signs announcing it. No communication beyond the first letter in 2024, no work done – there’s something wrong there. I also believe this Council had no right tying up the future Council for three years over the pump storage project. I would like to be part of the work to improve all this.
So I guess really I want to serve my community and help to make Meaford a better place to live, work and raise a family.
In your view, what should be the top priorities for the council that is elected on October 26?
Increase allocation of municipal funds to invest in roads, bridges,ditches and culverts.
Review of water and sewer rates in an aim to lower costs.
Improve communications with the public by Council and Staff.
Do an exhaustive review of the pump water storage project in an effort to stop it due to water quality concerns, or if the project proceeds have the Council immediately set up baselines for water and air quality.
Examine e-bike and e-scooter policy.
Review of short term rentals
Work towards providing an increase in more affordable housing.
Explain the role of councillor as you understand it:
To ensure monies are spent wisely. To be responsible for the decisions regarding the condition and maintenance of all infrastructure. To make certain that staff and Council are held accountable for their actions. To attend all meetings and read all materials for those meetings. To intercede and inform on behalf of citizens and ratepayers. To promote the Municipality to the world.
