Mayoral candidate Vaughn Goettler lists transparency, accountability among priorities

After having attained three degrees from both McMaster University and University of Toronto I became a successful entrepreneurial businessman. Those who know me are aware that I come from inauspicious beginnings and that I worked hard for what I achieved. I am truly blessed to have achieved the level of success that I have experienced, but it didn’t happen by chance. Rather, I planned it and worked for it. 

I know for certain that I have the education, skills, ability and experience to address the challenges facing NOTL today.

I subscribe to Hoda A. Kamel’s analysis of how a business person melds with a politician:

“In business you have to understand your clients. In politics, you have to understand your constituents, in exactly the same way. Ultimately, to be relevant in both business and politics, you have to be able to appeal to the needs of your target market.” “A good marketer always understands the environment in which the business operates. A good marketer understands the economics of the business, the regulations and rules surrounding the venture, the social environment, along with demographics, and lastly, the technological environment. A successful politician also needs to do the same amount of research to understand the environment in which they operate. They need to know what is going on around them at all times. Change is inevitable and one has to have their pulse on the environment.”

As lord mayor, my mandate would achieve success based upon the following: 

Working as a team

I will be a lord mayor who leads and works collaboratively, and with respect for council members and town staff. Council is elected democratically by our residents to represent all constituents. Constituents are heard through their council members, including the lord mayor. 

Transparency

Our town deserves accountable and transparent leadership. Whether it’s our town’s finances; tourism strategy (including parking solutions); legal disputes; St. Davids’ round-about; obstructive posts on Four Mile Creek Road; Glendale District Plan; the so-called ‘spill’ on Line 6; the Traffic Plan, or our negotiations with the region  and province, etc. Our residents deserve to know the whole picture, and should expect competent, effective decision-making with sustainable strategies. These issues need to be understood thoroughly and negotiated wisely with the various stakeholders, and then communicated openly with residents. 

Preserving and enhancing NOTL’s heritage, embracing wise progress

The history of NOTL is very important to me and to my family. We live in, and respect, our heritage home and our heritage town. The pace of development has quickened in recent years. Although necessary, progress needs to be managed wisely and consistently. Development fees should go towards services and amenities based on the assessment of our communities’ priorities, into the future. 

Financial accountability

NOTL has two councillors on regional council. As lord mayor, one of these positions would fall to me. I would be strongly active on regional council, looking out for the interests of all NOTL communities and our natural resources. I would ensure that residents are informed of how 60 per cent of their tax dollars paid to the region result in relevant services and amenities.

Sustainability and tourism

Our town needs a tourism and growth strategy that is built to last for future generations. Past generations have worked diligently to build our town into what it is, and we need to respect that. However, we cannot continue to erode our town’s unique identity and risk our sovereignty with unwise policy. Tourism must work for tourists and residents alike. 

Each candidate for lord mayor was asked to submit 500 words telling readers a little about themselves, their priorities, and their message to voters.