Lianne Vardy, Grimsby, Ward 2

We love Grimsby – It’s why we moved here.  My husband George’s family (Stojanovic) bought a farm on Kemp Rd in 1948 where they stayed until they moved into town in 2003, so we’ve had our roots here for over 70 years. My husband and I have two children – a daughter, Jordan Callie (JayC)  who is teaching English in Japan and a son Dejan who is studying to be a commercial pilot in Thunder Bay .  We also have a curmudgeonly one-eyed rescue Shitzu named Bart. 

I have been following Town Council closely for the last few years and I think we need leadership that will take us in a different direction while we still have the opportunity to do so.  I want to keep Grimsby a  beautiful town by encouraging sustainable growth through more responsible development that reflects residents concerns and incorporates principles of good urban design. Residents in established neighbourhoods, don’t want to see high-rise condos overlooking their backyards – an important consideration for the Hospital Corridor Study. Mountain residents have concerns about speeding and illegal dumping that need to be addressed.

I will support investments in our community assets – such as our parks, our waterfront and our hospital.  I will vote to to protect our heritage buildings, the Green Belt, the Woodlot , our farmland and our waterfront so they can be enjoyed well into the future. I will work to encourage commercial and business development  that will bring jobs and revenue to Grimsby.  We have an opportunity to shepherd the growth of our town so it remains the beautiful place we want to call home.

I want real transparency and accountability – where residents know and support how their tax money is spent. The Bio-digester is a good example of this – initially budgeted at roughly $3.5m – it cost over $10m and residents still can’t get a straight answer as to what it cost to build and operate.  I will push for  a full review of Grimsby Hydro companies and to know where the $9m for the sale of Niagara Regional  Broadband went.  The people of Grimsby deserve no less than forthright answers from their Council.

As a former Associate Director General of the Public Health Agency of Canada, I have held executive positions in both chronic and infectious disease, and have worked with other levels of government, NGO’s and citizens to get things done.  I have had the opportunity to shape important initiatives that positively affect the lives of Canadians. I have proven fiscal management expertise and have been accountable for programs and budgets well in excess of $50m.  I am very proud of my contribution to the public service and the respectful way I treated others throughout my career. 

Its now my sincere wish to continue my public service and serve the residents of Grimsby Ward 2.  I have the skill, experience and commitment to be the kind of Alderman Ward 2 deserves . I hope I can count on your vote on October 22.  Thank you.