In 2022, I committed to supporting improvements to our waterfront and making Port Whitby an even more welcoming destination. Over the past 4 years we have made real progress:

• new waterfront seating and gathering spaces

• a visitor information kiosk welcoming waterfront trail travelers to our community

• an accessible paddleboard and kayak launch and rentals

• the opening of Town Brewery’s Pumphouse as a new waterfront destination

• a signed lease agreement for a restaurant at the Rowe House

• continued advocacy for improvements that make our lakefront more vibrant, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

• declaring the area a community safety zone

Our waterfront can be a place of gathering with better amenities and still be a site of tranquility and reflection. It can be a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts and host for social and cultural events. Careful development of this gem must be done with an eye to environmental sustainability, safety of the surrounding community, the preservation and enhancement of green and open space and the retention of public access to, and ownership of, the waterfront.

There are no issues we hear more about than road and community safety. During this term I have worked cooperatively with council and staff to:

• address community safety challenges related to the warming centre

• hosted community meetings in parks and neighbourhoods where safety issues were reported

• championed the need for a traffic calming policy for data driven prioritization of traffic calming measures

• advocated for the additions of more measures in Port Whitby and consideration of named streets across Centre Ward.

• worked cooperatively with DRPS and Community agencies and groups to address community concerns in the downtown

• proactively canvassed neighbourhoods to help direct people to reporting processes throught the DRPS, Whitby Fire and Outreach Teams.

There remains much more work to do as our Town and Region grows.

A thriving downtown is essential to a healthy community. Over the past term, we have made some progress:

• We fought back against an inappropriate 11 story condo tower that would have fundamentally altered the character of the downtown.

• we brought back a huge annual festival to our downtown streets (Home Sweet Home)

• we connected community with opportunities to create art in our core

• we supported improved service standards and introduced 4 hour free parking at two municipal lots to encourage people to enjoy our downtown.

• welcomed the return of a major downtown festival “Home Sweet Home” and implemented the Municipal Accommodation Tax (that applies to short term rentals(hotels) to help pay for events like this one

• support for food tours and events that showcase local business

• established a pilot project for free four hour parking in two downtown lots

• community walks with DRPS to address safety concerns and best practices for businesses in the downtown

• continued advocacy for mental health, addiction and homelessness supports

• Support for Habitat for Humanity’s Centre Ward housing project.

Though some things are heading in the right direction, we have to acknowledge that parts of our downtown are facing real challenges. Housing insecurity, homelessness, addiction and mental health concerns have affected how some people experience our core. Residents deserve to feel safe walking downtown, and business deserve to thrive. At the same time, the people experiencing these challenges are members of our community too. Ignoring the problem won’t solve it, but neither will fear or finger pointing.

Having worked alongside community members and organisations, DRPS and downtown businesses, it is clear that lasting solutions will require all of us. I’ll continue advocating for practical steps that will improve safety, strengthen our downtown, and ensure people get the supports they need. We don’t have to choose between compassion and accountability. A strong downtown requires both.

Managing that growth and balancing the needs of people who live here now, and of those who will choose to call Whitby home, will determine the quality of life for all of us.

Throughout the term I have:

• supported housing where it made sense

• pushed back on development that I did not believe was in the best interests of residents, including in Port Whitby

• advocated for thoughtful infill development that helps meet provincial housing targets while acknowledging the need to protect greenspace and farmland

• advocated for use of all tools available to the municipality to develop affordable housing options and purpose build rentals including seeking a review of “inclusionary zoning” as an option

• consistently taken the position that growth should pay for growth

Development must be managed to address needs of the community, including affordable housing options, libraries, parks and the necessity of preserving rich farm land and protecting the natural environment

Strong and connected communities don’t happen by accident. They are built by bringing people together, listening to one another and creating opportunities to connect.

Throughout the term, I have made community engagement a priority by:

• hosting at least 2 Town Hall style meetings each year

• held neighbourhood meetings in parks and attended people’s homes to address concerns

• created a community Facebook page to let residents what what is happening in our ward and Town and provide a dedicated space where they can ask for help or share ideas

We need to keep creating more opportunities for people to come together. Events like Pumpkins in the Park and the annual community food drive is not just about the event itself. These kinds of events are about strengthening neighbourhood connections, supporting one another and building the kind of community where people know their neighbours and step up when others needs help.

I will continue to find new ways to bring residents together, because connected communities are stronger, safer and more resilient.

Help Niki’s team understand what matters most to you. We all have different needs, wants and goals for our community. A community-driven plan for Centre Ward must account for your priorities and reflect our collective vision. What do you want to see in this term? What changes do you hope will be reflected in the Ward, in the Town or at the Council table?