Mayoral candidate Gilles Greffe says responsible financial management, economic development, and infrastructure improvements would be his three main priorities if elected to lead Hawkesbury. Greffe said the city needs a mayor who is present and accessible to residents, listens to their concerns, and can bring council together around a clear vision for the community.
“Our next mayor will need to bring citizens and council members together around a clear vision, make responsible decisions, and demonstrate transparency,” Greffe said.
Greffe pointed to his experience on council from 2000 to 2010 as an asset he would bring to the mayor’s position. During that time, he said council worked on projects including the construction of a new fire station and the purchase of an aerial ladder truck, the development of Place des Pionniers, the acquisition of the former Amoco plant site, the installation of water meters and the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.
Greffe emphasized that these were collective achievements involving the municipal councils of the time, rather than projects he carried out independently.
A major focus of his campaign is municipal spending. Greffe said taxpayers should be able to understand how their money is being spent and proposed regular reviews of municipal programs and expenditures to determine what is working, what could be improved, and where savings may be possible.
He stressed that the goal would not be to make indiscriminate cuts to municipal services.
“The goal is not to cut services blindly, but to deliver them more efficiently,” Greffe said.
Greffe also proposed better planning of municipal investments, earlier maintenance of infrastructure to avoid more expensive repairs, and greater use of provincial and federal grants. He said the city could also look at bulk purchasing, regional partnerships, and sharing certain services when doing so would be financially beneficial to Hawkesbury.
Economic development would be another central part of his approach to municipal finances. Greffe said the city needs to support existing businesses, attract new investment, and encourage job creation.
A stronger local economy, Greffe argued, would create jobs, expand the municipal tax base, and reduce pressure on existing taxpayers.
“Before asking more of taxpayers, the Town must demonstrate that it has eliminated unnecessary expenditures and that it is using public funds responsibly and transparently,” he said.
Infrastructure is another key concern, particularly the condition of roads and municipal networks.
Greffe said Hawkesbury needs a long-term investment plan based on clear priorities so infrastructure work can be scheduled before problems require costly emergency repairs. He also identified municipal facilities, neighbourhood safety, and the general appearance and quality of Hawkesbury as areas that should receive attention.
“Reliable infrastructure and a safe city are essential for our residents, our businesses, and future generations,” Greffe said.
Looking ahead, Greffe identified four major challenges for Hawkesbury: maintaining municipal services while controlling costs, aging infrastructure, economic development, and safety and quality of life in neighbourhoods.
On safety issues, Greffe said the municipality would sometimes need to work beyond its own responsibilities by cooperating with police services, community organizations, merchants, and other levels of government. He said a united council and effective municipal administration will also be necessary to address those challenges.
Greffe said he wants to provide leadership that restores residents’ confidence in municipal government while moving from promises to action.
“I do not promise that everything will be easy or that everything can be achieved immediately. However, I do promise to work tirelessly, to ask the right questions, to explain the council’s decisions clearly, and never to lose sight of citizens’ interests,” he said.
