Thank you to Northumberland News for introducing candidates to voters. I always enjoy a conversation and exchange with Sarah Hyatt, a local reporter who tells great stories.

From Northumberland News:

Meet your candidates: Nicole Beatty is running for deputy mayor in Cobourg in the 2022 municipal election

We asked candidates some quick questions to introduce them to voters

Sarah Hyatt

Northumberland News

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Nicole Beatty is running for deputy mayor in Cobourg in the October 2022 municipal election.

To introduce voters to their candidates, we asked Beatty and others to answer some quick questions.

WHAT TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS DOES YOUR COMMUNITY NEED?

“Cobourg needs an updated transportation master plan, which will be a budgetary item for the next council. The community needs transit options supporting its ongoing growth, including active transportation networks in subdivisions and redevelopments.

“The town needs to: Reconsider its approach to on-demand transit; provide efficient, accessible transit options; permit ride-sharing services; participate in the county’s ‘Commuter Connect’ initiative; promote safe cycling, (and) rein in spending on transit. Currently, transit services cost taxpayers $7.67/month.”

HOUSING REMAINS A TOP ISSUE HERE. WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?

“It’s the responsibility of all levels of government to collaborate on housing. Cobourg needs to leverage the affordable housing/rental community improvement (plan) to maximize incentives for new rental units. The draft Tannery plans call for 20 per cent of the development to be affordable housing, and Cobourg is positioned to create shovel-ready lands with the portion it owns.

“Modern ideas such as municipal development corporations and tiny or modular homes also need to be explored.”

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PRESERVING GREEN SPACE REMAIN A TOP PRIORITY, YET THERE IS ALSO A NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT. CAN YOUR COMMUNITY HANDLE BOTH, AND IF SO, HOW?

“Yes, Cobourg can handle both. We can be a sustainable-future municipality by: Prioritizing deliverables of the integrated community sustainability plan based on costs and necessity; implementing mandatory green development standards that guide environmentally/economically sustainable design; continuing to plant more trees; ensuring sufficient parkland is incorporated into new development/redevelopment; updating the urban and landscape design guidelines; (and) balancing growth/long-range planning with the expansion of green spaces, community gardens, a naturalized west headlands/west beach, and walking trails.”

THE HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES SHORTAGE IS AFFECTING LOCAL HOSPITALS/HEALTHCARE. ARE YOU CONCERNED, AND WILL YOU TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN ADVOCATING FOR MORE HELP FOR LOCAL HEALTHCARE?

“It concerns me deeply that people don’t have access to a primary health-care provider. The deputy mayor sits on the West Northumberland Physician Recruitment committee. If elected, I will ensure my efforts focus on collaborating with regional integrated health networks and community health centres.

“I will continue to advocate for partnership funding to address mental health and addictions in our community. The municipality doesn’t fund healthcare, but we must demand more help for local healthcare.”

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE TOP ISSUE AND/OR TOP ISSUES FACING YOUR COMMUNITY THAT YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS AS DEPUTY MAYOR?

“Life is hard these days for folks, and I empathize with that. I’m running for deputy mayor to ensure people are cared for while maintaining a consistent level of tax revenue that doesn’t eliminate meaningful and essential services.

“Key issues I plan to address include: Budget process and council governance structure; economic development; sustainability and heritage; youth programming; transit; asset management and social infrastructure (and) post-secondary attraction.

Voters can read my detailed platform at nicolebeatty.ca/platform.”