Mayoral candidate Patricia Mills has released a document highlighting what she sees as the priorities in this municipal election.
Mills spent the summer, she said, on her Listen, Learn, Lead tour, in which she vowed to speak with Sudburians from all walks of life about their priorities, which she would distil down into her platform for election.
While she's still listening and learning, Mills said she can see where voters' priorities lie.
"Many of you have told me that we need to do better. Our city’s budget is not better than it was four years ago. Our roads are not as safe as they should be. Our neighborhoods are crumbling with poor infrastructure. Our economy is stalled with untapped potential," Mills said.
"You’ve also told me you are concerned for the future of our city. We are rushing forward with large projects without a solid understanding of how much they will cost and how we will pay for them. Big important developments that should create excitement in our community are, instead, creating divide."
She outlined eight priorities in a recent release to media.
Those priorities include smarter spending that’s more respectful of taxpayers’ money; safer roads and better maintaining “crumbling” infrastructure; vibrant neighbourhoods where people and families can flourish; population growth by attracting new businesses and new residents; accountability to taxpayers; a vision for what Sudbury could be in a more unified Northern Ontario; resilient environment that leverages the city’s re-greening knowledge; and smart investments.
You can connect with Mills through her Facebook page, Patricia Mills for Mayor or on her website, PatriciaMills.ca.
The full text of Mills' media release is below.
What I've learned so far
I love Greater Sudbury. It has given me so much and now I want to give back to the community that helped me when I was a widowed mother with a six-year old child and no job, no education, but plenty of will to make things happen for me and my daughter.
I launched Listen Learn Lead so I can learn more about what’s important to you. I’ve been meeting with people in neighbourhoods across our city and I want to thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I’m listening to what you have to say and I’m learning a lot about the changes you want to see happen in our city.
Many of you have told me that we need to do better. Our city’s budget is not better than it was four years ago. Our roads are not as safe as they should be. Our neighborhoods are crumbling with poor infrastructure. Our economy is stalled with untapped potential.
You’ve also told me you are concerned for the future of our city. We are rushing forward with large projects without a solid understanding of how much they will cost and how we will pay for them. Big important developments that should create excitement in our community are, instead, creating divide.
Here are my thoughts on what our city needs to be better than it is today. In the fall, I will share a more detailed plan for transforming our city.
I am excited for the future of Greater Sudbury. I want to lead our city and turn its great potential into real action.
What our City Needs:
Smarter Spending. We should respect taxpayers. We need to spend money in a responsible manner. And we should be investing in the things that matter most to citizens.
Safe Roads. It’s time to take smarter action on our crumbling infrastructure. We need to fix what we have first. We don’t need more plans; we need to just do it, and do it right.
Vibrant Neighborhoods. What I love about Sudbury is that we are more than the sum of our parts. We need to invest in all of our neighborhoods where seniors, families and young professionals work, live and play.
Growth. We are aging with no real population growth in sight. We need to create a welcoming home for new Canadian citizens and for new businesses. We also need to enable growth for the businesses that are already established here. There is so much potential to make our city a dynamic hub for knowledge, technology and resource-based industries.
Accountability. City hall exists to serve the citizens of Greater Sudbury. Somehow, we’ve lost that along the way. We need an open, transparent government that reports regularly on its performance and its decisions.
Vision. As Ontario tackles its large debt and the federal government battles the US on tariffs, Greater Sudbury needs to think big and seize new opportunities. But we can’t do it alone. Now more than ever, our northern cities need to come together and create a strong and unified voice. We need a new deal for the north.
Resilient Environment. Greater Sudbury is world renowned for its successful re-greening efforts. We need to leverage this knowledge so we are prepared for the new environmental challenges ahead. We should embrace green technologies as an economic driver while protecting our natural assets.
Smart Investments. While I believe we need to make smart investments to grow our city, those investments will not be my legacy. They will be the legacy of the community groups that make them a reality. My legacy will be a lasting culture change at City Hall where openness, respect and integrity become the norm.
Listen. Learn. Lead. My 100 days of listening started long before I made my decision to run for mayor. Over the coming months, I will continue to listen and learn from you. Together, we will create a shared vision for the city of Greater Sudbury.
