FIRST TERM, 2022 - 2026
What I’ve Worked On
Over the last four years, I've focused on practical projects that improve how Callander looks, works, and communicates, while helping to move forward the bigger plan for our downtown, waterfront, and future growth.
MAKING CALLANDER A PLACE PEOPLE CHOOSE
Bringing Callander's history into the streets
I proposed the Callander Heritage Walk through a Council motion and helped move the project from idea to completion.
The project brought together local history and placemaking, using large outdoor murals and colourized historical photographs to make Callander's past part of the downtown experience.
Phase 2 has now been approved.
A more natural shoreline at Centennial Park
After the old shoreline at Centennial Park washed out, the obvious option was to rebuild what had been there before.
I proposed a more natural shoreline instead, an approach that better reflected the direction in Callander's plans. The idea was accepted and built.
Refreshing Main & Lansdowne Corner
Staff already had improvements to the corner on their list, but there wasn't a concept for what it could look like. I developed an initial design and brought it to staff.
It went through the Placemaking Advisory Committee, was refined, and was eventually built.
It's a small project, but it's one of the most visible corners in Callander, and exactly the kind of incremental improvement that can make downtown feel cared for and worth investing in.
Turning beautification into Placemaking
I pushed to replace the old Beautification Committee with a Placemaking Advisory Committee.
The goal was to give the committee a clearer direction, guided by Callander's strategies rather than a series of one-off projects.
That means looking at how our streets, public spaces, history, waterfront and other assets can work together to make Callander feel like a distinctive, recognizable place.
MAKING THE COMMUNITY WORK BETTER
Take it Slow for Callander
I created Take it Slow for Callander as an annual speed-awareness campaign to remind drivers to slow down in our neighbourhoods.
As part of that work, I also pushed for a Share the Road lane on the east side of Main Street South to give cyclists more space and make drivers more aware that they are sharing the road.
Making zoning changes easier to understand
I introduced plain-language top sheets for zoning bylaw changes so residents and Council could quickly understand what was being proposed.
People should not need to be planning experts to understand a decision being made in their community.
KEEPING COUNCIL FOCUSED ON THE BIGGER PICTURE
Using the plans we already have
Callander has several plans and strategies to guide where we're going, including our Strategic Plan and Downtown Waterfront Revitalization Strategy.
I regularly bring Council discussions back to those plans. If we say something is a priority, our decisions and investments should reflect it.
Making sure the numbers still make sense
Major projects can change as new costs, information and options come forward.
When that happens, I believe Council should go back to the assumptions: What has changed? What will the project really cost? Are there other options? And does the decision still make sense for Callander?
The Common Thread
These projects may look different, but they come from the same approach: look for practical improvements, use the plans we already have, and make sure our decisions move Callander in the direction we've said we want to go.
That's the approach I've tried to bring to Council over the last four years.