Investing in Our Roads
Our roads are an essential part of daily life, connecting the rural to the urban and allowing our region to operate smoothly. Yet so many of our streets and roads in ward 1 that are critical to connecting residents to rest of the township and surrounding communities have been allowed to deteriorate over the last few years. Maintenance is constantly lacking as potholes grow and increase, and repaving is ignored in favour of flashier urban centred projects. While more and more money is being spent trying to bring tourism into the township, the rural roads residents rely on every single day continue to be neglected and left behind. Many of the streets which offer key connecting points between main roads remain surfaced with only gravel. These unpaved and uncared for roads cause unnecessary wear and damage to vehicles, creating a constant source of frustration for any driver who frequents them. Creating smooth, safe, and well-maintained roads in Ward 1 will be my number one priority as a councillor, because residents deserve safe, reliable, infrastructure they can count on every day. If you want real results and a voice on council that fights for the issues that really matter in your day-to-day this October vote for change, vote for Scott Blachar.
Reliable Snow Clearing for rural communities
Every winter severe snowstorms highlight a persistent vulnerability in Ward 1s rural areas. Residents from Seagrave, Greenbank, Manchester, Utica, and other communities and hamlets outside central Port Perry suffer far worse than the rest of the township. Despite the same issues recurring every year, the region continues to be unprepared to deal with the snowstorms that leave many residents trapped and isolated for extended periods. As your councillor I will ensure during budgeting that the township invests in proper measures to be ready and prepared for the winter season before it comes, rather than reacting to the problem when it inevitably arises. By increasing investment in winter maintenance, including preventative measures like snow fences, increased plowing in priority areas such as school pick-up zones and major intersections, and improved drainage to prevent ice buildup, we can better prepare our roads for winter. As your councillor, I will work to ensure our roads are ready for the very worst a Scugog winter can throw at us
Supporting Our Seniors
Ward 1 is home to hundreds of senior citizens who have spent their lives building our community. After speaking with many older residents, one concern has come up again and again; the fear that when the day comes that they need more care, they will be forced to leave the community they have call home. With limited long-term care spaces, rising costs, and a growing senior population, too many families are left wondering whether their loved ones will have to move away from their friends, neighbours, and support networks. Growing older should never mean leaving behind the place you call home. As your councillor, I will advocate for additional long-term care capacity in Scugog, support expanded home and community care services, and work to improve accessibility throughout our township, including better transportation options and more senior-friendly public spaces. Our seniors built this community. They deserve to age with dignity, independence, and the security of knowing they can remain close to the people and places they love.
The Port Perry Fairground is a piece of our towns history that has been home to our yearly fair since 1886. For well over one hundred years Scugog has come together as a community to enjoy the food, rides, animals, and community that the fair offers. Councils’ decision not to renew the ten year lease with the agricultural society and instead spend city funds on an unasked for and unbudgeted “visioning exercise” is a perfect example of the current councils priority problems. Rather than spending our surplus on maintaining and restoring the roads, ditches, and parks that fall into munciple jurisdiction they instead waste our regions funds on unnecessary surveys and unasked for projects. Those who have fought to preserve it have continuously been told that selling it was never on the table... until the Darwin report confirmed it was. As a councillor, I will stand firm in protecting our fairground and move to have it declared a heritage site to keep it safe and secure as a shared community space. Ward 1 deserves a representative who will ensure council delivers real, tangible benefits to all of Scugog and fights to protect our traditions and way of life.
Keeping taxes Affordable
Families across Scugog are already feeling the pressure of rising costs, and the last thing residents need is another increase in their property taxes. Every dollar collected from taxpayers should be treated with the same care and respect that families give to their own household budgets. Too often, spending continues to grow without enough attention being given to whether every project is truly necessary or whether taxpayers are receiving the best value for their money. As your councillor, I will carefully scrutinize every budget and every major spending decision to ensure that essential services remain the priority while unnecessary spending is challenged. I will not propose or vote in favour of property tax increases because I believe the Township must learn to live within its means, just as the residents who fund it do. By making responsible financial decisions and focusing on core priorities, we can protect taxpayers while continuing to invest in the services that matter most.
Protecting our Fairgrounds
Your Priorities Matter
Ward 1 is your home, and your voice should guide its future. Share your top concerns, ideas, and visions for our community with Scott.