Clare Riepma – Barrie Ward 1
I was born on a farm in southwestern Ontario and went to university in Toronto. We chose to live in Barrie because it has a lot to offer and to be closer to our parents, children and grandchildren.
I am a civil engineer with a master’s degree in environmental studies and have my own consulting company working primarily as a city planner.
I have worked in many municipalities throughout Ontario and as a result have a great deal of experience in the area of municipal government. I have always been involved in my community and have served as president of the Barrie East End Householders Association, on Town and Gown, North Shore Working Group, and various other municipal advisory committees over the years.
It is time for a change in Ward 1. Time for a more positive and collaborative approach to resolving issues in Ward 1. Listening to resident’s concerns and doing something about them is my priority.
Our roads are rough but we pay generous taxes. We need better value for our tax dollar. I will work hard to find efficiencies in the city’s operations so that we can hold the line on taxes.
Our neighbourhoods were not designed to accommodate the numbers of students currently living in some of them.
As a result, there are conflicts and some absentee landowners are having a negative effect in some our neighbourhoods.
I will propose that these units be better regulated and inspected to ensure that they are safe and that standards such as parking and maintenance are respected.
We need to attract more businesses to Barrie. People need good jobs close to home and our youth need opportunities as well. We need to balance our industrial – residential assessment to bring our taxes into line.
I am a strong supporter of our downtown, and our waterfront. We need to bring more people, the arts and economic activity to the area to support our local businesses.