Author name: mary@inthepinc.com

One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen in our community isn’t always a lack of services—it’s knowing where to find them. Sometimes it’s a senior looking for support, a family trying to navigate services for a child, someone facing financial hardship, or a resident simply trying to figure out who to call. One of the things I’ve discovered is that support often already exists. The challenge isn’t always a lack of services—it’s that people don’t know what’s available or how to access it. That’s one of the reasons I created Finding a Way. I wanted to make it easier for people to discover the organizations, programs, and resources that are already making a difference in our community. To me, building a stronger community isn’t just about creating new programs. It’s also about connecting people with the services we already have, encouraging organizations to work together, and helping residents find the support they need. No one person has every answer. As your councillor, my role is to ask questions, connect people with the right resources, bring organizations together when possible, and help residents navigate the support that’s already available. Good leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about helping people find solutions and making sure no one has to face challenges alone.

I’ve found that some of the most meaningful conversations happen when people simply feel heard. Even when there isn’t an easy answer, taking the time to understand someone’s perspective builds trust and strengthens relationships. If I’m elected, I’ll continue meeting with residents, attending community events, visiting local organizations, and staying connected to the people of Ward 3. I believe a councillor’s work doesn’t begin and end at the Council table—it happens throughout the community, one conversation at a time. Every decision made by Council affects real people. That’s why I’ll never lose sight of the people I’m there to represent.

Good ideas are important, but by themselves, they don’t create change. Real progress happens when ideas are supported by preparation, collaboration, and a willingness to follow through. Throughout my career and community involvement, I’ve learned that meaningful results rarely happen because of one person. They happen when people work together, understand the goal, stay focused on practical solutions, and remain committed to seeing them through. As your councillor, I want to be someone who helps move good ideas forward. That means understanding the opportunity, bringing the right people together, exploring practical options, and helping turn conversations into meaningful action. Some ideas can be achieved quickly. Others require planning, partnership, and patience. Not every opportunity can happen overnight, but every worthwhile idea deserves thoughtful consideration, honest discussion, and a genuine commitment to moving it forward. I believe residents deserve more than promises. They deserve a representative who prepares, follows through, communicates openly, and remains focused on achieving meaningful results for the community. For me, leadership isn’t measured by the number of ideas you have—it’s measured by your willingness to do the work, bring people together, and follow through. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to Ward 3.

Whenever a new idea or project comes forward, my first question is: How can we make the most of this opportunity? I believe good communities don’t have to choose between protecting what they already have and planning for the future. The strongest communities do both. Georgina already has incredible strengths—the ROC, Pioneer Village, the Georgina Military Museum, our libraries, parks, beaches, local businesses, community organizations, and residents with a wealth of knowledge and experience. My goal is to build on those strengths while remaining open to new solutions. At the same time, our community is growing, and our needs are changing. Families, seniors, youth, and local businesses all deserve a community that continues to evolve. That means recognizing where new services, recreation, businesses, restaurants, programs, and community spaces are needed while planning thoughtfully for the future. Throughout my career and community work, I’ve learned that some of the best ideas come from recognizing opportunities, bringing people together, and building on what is already working while remaining open to new possibilities. As your councillor, my role won’t be to manage Town operations. My role will be to ask thoughtful questions, recognize opportunities, encourage collaboration, and make informed decisions that help Georgina grow while protecting what residents already value most.

One thing that’s become clear to me through my career, volunteer work, and community involvement is that no two people experience our community in the same way. The concerns of a young family may be very different from those of a senior. A local business owner may see challenges that a commuter doesn’t. Someone living near the waterfront may have different priorities than someone in a growing subdivision. Every perspective adds another piece to the bigger picture. That’s why I believe good representation starts with understanding. Before forming an opinion, I believe it’s important to understand the issue, the people affected, and the different perspectives surrounding it. Listening isn’t about agreeing with everyone—it’s about making sure people feel respected, understood, and confident that their voices have been considered in the conversation, not left outside it.

Accountability doesn’t begin after a decision is made. It begins long before a vote is ever cast. I believe accountability starts with being prepared, understanding the issues, doing the research, listening to different perspectives, and making decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. It also means respecting the people who placed their trust in you. Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made, why they are being made, and how those decisions may affect our community. Even when people don’t agree with every decision, they deserve honest communication and a representative who is willing to explain their reasoning. Accountability also means following through. If I make a commitment, I’ll work hard to keep it. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll say so and do the work to find one. If I make a mistake, I’ll acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward. No councillor has every answer or every idea. That’s why I believe accountability also means being willing to learn, consider new information, and make decisions with integrity. Strong leadership isn’t about always being right—it’s about being prepared, acting with honesty, and putting the community first. For me, accountability isn’t something that begins or ends with an election. It’s the standard I believe should guide every decision, every conversation, and every responsibility entrusted to a member of Council.

People have asked why I’m running for Ward 3. The answer isn’t because I think I have all the answers. It’s because, over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet hundreds of residents through my work, community involvement, and everyday conversations across Georgina. Those conversations changed the way I see our community. The more I listened, the more I realized that many people feel disconnected from the decisions being made around them. They want to understand what’s happening, ask questions, share ideas, and know that their concerns are being heard. Once you start seeing that, it’s hard to ignore. That’s why I decided to step forward. I’m not running because I believe I’m the loudest voice in the room. I’m running because I’m willing to do the work. I’ll take the time to understand the issues, listen to different perspectives, learn the facts, and make informed decisions. One of my greatest strengths is connecting with people. Every resident brings different experiences, ideas, and perspectives, and I believe those voices make our community stronger. Good decisions begin with understanding the people they affect. To me, this role is about being a bridge between residents and Council—helping people feel informed, involved, and connected to the decisions that affect their daily lives. I believe Georgina has tremendous potential, and I want to help ensure we continue to grow in thoughtful ways that reflect residents’ needs while protecting what makes our community special. I believe Ward 3 deserves a councillor who is prepared, approachable, and committed to earning the trust of the people she represents. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to Council, and that’s why I’m asking for your support.