Lakeshore needs affordable housing  

Let’s Make Lakeshore Stronger Before We Make It Bigger

Lakeshore is growing. I believe growth can be a good thing — but the order in which we grow matters.

My vision is a simple four-phase plan:

PHASE 1 — Fix What We Have

Before we continue expanding, let’s make sure the infrastructure and communities we already have can support the people who live here today.

That means addressing our existing infrastructure, revitalizing our downtowns, and making our communities stronger.

We need to take care of what we already have before we make it bigger.

PHASE 2 — Grow Our Local Economy

A stronger Lakeshore needs a stronger local economy.

Let’s work with our existing businesses, attract new investment and revitalize our downtowns so businesses can grow and create more jobs.

We should also look at the assets Lakeshore already owns and ask:

How can we make them generate more revenue instead of asking taxpayers for more?

Our marina is one example where partnerships with the private sector could bring more visitors, create jobs, and potentially generate additional revenue for Lakeshore.

PHASE 3 — Make Lakeshore Work for the People Who Live Here

Growth should create opportunities for the people who already call Lakeshore home.

That means better transportation options, particularly for our seniors and young people.

A transit system could help people get to work, get to businesses, and get around our community — while helping the businesses we worked to grow in Phase 2.

We also need to protect the quality of life we already enjoy.

Belle River Beach should be clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone. If we have rules to protect our public spaces, those rules need to be respected and enforced.

PHASE 4 — Grow Responsibly

Once we have stronger infrastructure, stronger businesses, more jobs and better ways for people to get around, then we can focus on responsible housing growth.

I am not against building homes.

I believe we should build the right homes, in the right places, at the right time — including homes that working people can afford to live in.

Growth should follow opportunity, not the other way around.

 

The Plan in Four Simple Steps

1. Fix what we have.
Improve infrastructure and revitalize our existing communities.

2. Grow our economy.
Support businesses, create jobs and make better use of the assets we already own.

3. Connect our community.
Improve transportation and protect the public spaces we all share.

4. Grow responsibly.
Once we have the foundation in place, build the housing needed for a stronger Lakeshore.

I’m not against growth.

I’m against growing faster than we can afford while neglecting what we already have.

Let’s Make Lakeshore Stronger Before We Make It Bigger.