This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Tue Jul 23 14:18:21 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Former Mulmur Mayor runs for Shelburne Council --------------------------------------------------- Gordon Montgomery, former Mayor of Mulmur from 2006-2010 and Dufferin County Warden in 2009, is running to be a Councillor for Shelburne in the October 27th Municipal election. Montgomery now lives and works in Shelburne as a Labour Forman and MGR Construction Services for Greenbrook Village, Lakeview Homes. Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Montgomery says he began spending time in the area as a teenager when his parents bought a weekend home in Mulmur. After marrying in 1984, he and his former wife moved to Mulmur and started a family. His daughter, Anne Marie, who he says is his “proudest achievement,” is a human rights advocate and a teacher for the Upper Grand District School Board. Montgomery says his personal time is spent with “his life partner, helping to raise her two children.” Montgomery's education experience includes a Bachelor of Science from Trent University, Economics and Geography, as well as various courses in accounting, law, business and municipal politics. His volunteer experience includes ten years of service with the Honeywood Beef Barbeque, bartending at a variety of local charity events, being a Committee member at the Mansfield Ski Club for two years, a Board member with Dufferin Child and Family Services for one year, and volunteering at Primrose Elementary School for five years. Montgomery spent almost 20 years as part of Council for the Township of Mulmur and various committees, as well as being the owner and operator of his own business. During that time he says he “acquired a multitude of skills that would benefit the Town of Shelburne” if elected as a Councillor. Some of those skills include, “problem solving and analytical skills, including thinking of different ways to resolve an issue while considering the advantages and disadvantages of each option; financial management and reporting processes; developing and reviewing policy; proposing solutions to complex problems; collaboration with County, Provincial, and Federal politicians; and working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal.” “Shelburne Town Council needs fresh members with a desire and the willpower to make some positive changes within our community,” says Montgomery. “Shelburne is a growing municipality that is going to be faced with many new and challenging issues. I want to ensure that decisions being made on council are in the best interests of both the residents and the town for generations to come. Shelburne's growth requires careful management so that we maintain the kind of town where we want to raise our families.” Gordon Montgomery's answers to questions from the Shelburne Free Press follow: What do you feel is an acceptable number of meetings for a member of Council to miss? “I don't feel it is acceptable for a member of Council to miss any meetings if avoidable.” What are your thoughts on the increased remuneration recommended for Council recently made by Ward & Uptigrove Consulting and Human Resources? “Remuneration for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors should be based on realistic standards. Council is responsible for many complex and important issues which require significant time and commitment. While I recognize that the role of a Council member is in part deemed as community service, fair and market competitive compensation can not only help retain, but attract citizens to public service. Shelburne's current remuneration for Councillors is less than what is provided to a single unemployed individual collecting Ontario Works. In addition, an active Councillor will incur a fair amount of out-of-pocket expenses that are not submitted as expenses, and subsequently, not reimbursed. Shelburne Town Council is currently one of the lowest paid councils in the province. I am, as a tax payer, in support of a more in-depth review of the current remuneration for Shelburne Town Council.” What do you see as the biggest challenge you will face as Councillor? “I would like to see our municipal government run more efficiently. I will use my personal time to quickly become well versed in all the issues affecting our community so I can make well-informed decisions that benefit the whole community. By creating various avenues to more formally engage with the community, Council would have a better understanding of the community's views on matters that are important to them.” What is the biggest challenge the Town will face in the next term? As a member of Council, how would you specifically deal with this and/or other challenges? “The biggest challenge facing Shelburne is to effectively manage our growth by improving our infrastructure and increasing access to community and social services. We need to increase the commercial base in our town to allow more people to live and work in our community. I will work with Council to bring new business to Shelburne while making certain that these choices don't have negative financial or social impacts in the future. Council must research and implement additional, innovative programs designed to attract new businesses/developers as well as supporting our existing businesses. Processes and time lines need to be streamlined and incentives developed. Attracting new business and development requires an environment that makes it easy to open a business and/or develop a project in an efficient manner.” What changes would you like to see implemented for the Town by the end of the next term? • Improved infrastructure, i.e.: roads, water, high speed internet access, public transportation, and social services. • Increased avenues of communication with Shelburne residents. • Council's resources being used more effectively and efficiently. • Greater confidence and trust within the community relating to decisions made by council. Gordon Montgomery believes in “utilizing the skills and expertise of the residents…by working together as a community, we can make a difference.” He says he is “not coming to the table with a set agenda,” but offering “20 years of municipal council experience within Dufferin County” and “the desire to make Shelburne a place we all love and are proud to live.” By Marni Walsh --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2014-10-08 14:20:40 Post date GMT: 2014-10-08 18:20:40 Post modified date: 2014-10-15 14:01:25 Post modified date GMT: 2014-10-15 18:01:25 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com