Author name: mary@inthepinc.com

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that strong communities are built when people actually get involved. Not everyone has to run for office to make a difference. Sometimes simply showing up, sharing ideas, helping spread information, volunteering your time, or being willing to have honest conversations with people around you can have a much bigger impact than you realize. This campaign is not about creating a polished political machine. I want it to feel real, connected, and community-driven — because that’s how I approach everything else in my life as well. There are so many ways people can get involved, whether that’s: I also think it’s important that people understand local government doesn’t have to feel intimidating or out of reach. The more people become involved, ask questions, and understand what’s happening around them, the stronger and more informed the community becomes as a whole. At the end of the day, campaigns are about people. They’re about conversations, connection, and creating a community where residents feel like they have a voice and a role in shaping the future around them. If you’d like to get involved, support the campaign, or simply follow along as it grows, I’d truly love to connect with you.

People want to feel like their voice matters — not just during elections or when there’s controversy, but all the time. One thing I’ve learned through business, real estate, community involvement, and even running in the last election is that many residents care deeply about what’s happening in their community. The problem is, a lot of people feel like they don’t fully understand how decisions are being made, where things are heading, or whether their concerns are actually being considered. And honestly, I understand that feeling. Most people are busy managing everyday life — work, finances, family, stress, and responsibilities. They don’t always have the time to attend meetings, research every issue, or sort through complicated information just to stay informed about what’s happening in their own town. That’s why my commitment to Ward 3 is not just about showing up to vote on issues. It’s about listening to residents, staying involved in the community, asking questions, and helping people feel more connected to the conversations and decisions happening around them. I also understand that being a councillor means making decisions on issues that affect not only Ward 3, but Georgina as a whole. When those decisions come forward, I believe it’s important to consider the concerns, priorities, and perspectives of the residents I represent, while also thinking about the long-term impact on the broader community. I don’t believe leadership means pretending to have all the answers or agreeing with everyone all the time. I believe it means being honest, approachable, willing to listen, and thoughtful about the real-life impact decisions have on people. At the end of the day, my commitment is simple: to stay involved, stay informed, continue learning, and do my best to represent Ward 3 in a way that is practical, transparent, and connected to the people who live here.

Over the last 18 years in real estate, I’ve seen people at some of the biggest turning points of their lives. A lot of people think real estate is just about buying and selling homes, but it’s often much deeper than that. Behind many transactions is a major life transition — divorce, financial hardship, loss, downsizing, illness, growing families, or starting over. I’ve worked with people who were excited, overwhelmed, grieving, uncertain, and everything in between. What I’ve learned is that every person handles change differently, and there’s no “one size fits all” approach when people are going through difficult moments. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that people don’t always need someone to “fix” everything for them. Sometimes they need someone who will be honest with them, listen to them, guide them clearly, and help them feel less alone while they figure things out. My own personal experiences with grief, hardship, and rebuilding have also changed how I approach people. Losing my husband and navigating difficult situations in my own life gave me a much deeper understanding of how heavy life can feel sometimes — especially when you’re trying to stay strong on the outside while carrying a lot internally. It also taught me something important: people are far more resilient than they realize. I’ve seen people rebuild after loss. I’ve seen families find stability again after difficult transitions. I’ve seen people who thought they had no options eventually find their footing again. That’s one of the reasons mental health and community support matter so much to me. We never fully know what someone else is carrying, and sometimes the smallest amount of understanding, information, or support can make a much bigger difference than we realize. At the end of the day, life transitions are something all of us will face in one way or another. What matters is how we support each other through them.

Mental health isn’t just an individual issue — it affects families, workplaces, schools, friendships, and entire communities. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed over the years is how disconnected people have become. Many people are overwhelmed, stressed financially, struggling silently, or trying to carry more than they can handle without feeling like they have anywhere to turn. And often, people don’t need grand solutions first. Sometimes they need connection, understanding, information, or simply to feel like someone is willing to listen without judgment. That’s why community matters. Strong communities create spaces where people feel safer, more connected, and less alone. Whether it’s community events, local programs, support services, recreation, or simply neighbours knowing each other more, those things matter more than people realize. Support also needs to be easier to access and easier to understand. Many people don’t know where to start, who to call, or what resources are available until they’re already in crisis. I don’t believe mental health should be treated as a side conversation. It affects every part of how people live, work, parent, socialize, and function day to day. The more connected and supported a community feels, the stronger that community becomes as a whole.

Affordability doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with decisions — both personally and at the community level. Right now, many people are feeling stretched financially. Rising property taxes, increasing utility costs, housing pressures, groceries, fuel, and everyday expenses are affecting how people live and what they can comfortably afford. And while not every issue can be solved overnight, I do believe leadership matters when it comes to how financial decisions are made. One thing I’ve always believed in personally is value. I’m someone who looks at where money is going, whether something makes sense long-term, and whether the benefit justifies the cost. I think a lot of residents are looking at things the exact same way right now in their own households. People are budgeting more carefully than ever. They are comparing prices, cutting back, and making difficult financial choices every day. That reality should be considered when decisions are being made that affect taxes, fees, services, and community spending. To me, affordability is not just about spending less. It’s about spending smarter. It’s about asking: Reasonable decisions build trust. They also create stronger, more sustainable communities over time. I believe people want transparency, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making — especially when their hard-earned money is involved. And honestly, I understand why. I look at things the same way.

One thing I’ve noticed more and more while speaking with residents is that people are feeling stretched; financially, emotionally, and mentally. The rising cost of living is coming up constantly. Property taxes, water bills, groceries, housing costs, and everyday expenses are affecting people across all stages of life. Whether someone is raising a family, retired, renting, or trying to buy a home, many people are feeling the pressure. I’m also hearing frustration around communication and transparency. A lot of residents feel like they have to do their own deep research just to fully understand what’s happening in the community or how certain decisions will impact them directly. People want clearer information, more open conversation, and to feel like their concerns are genuinely being considered. Another thing I hear often is the importance of protecting and improving the spaces that make Georgina special. Residents care deeply about our parks, beaches, neighbourhoods, and sense of community. Growth and tourism are important, but many people also want to make sure local residents still feel connected to and able to enjoy the community they live in. What stands out to me most is that people want practical, reasonable decision-making. They want leadership that understands the realities they’re dealing with day to day and takes the long-term impact of decisions seriously. At the end of the day, most residents aren’t asking for perfection. They want to feel informed, respected, and represented by people who are actually listening.

Parks, beaches, trails, and community spaces are a huge part of what makes Georgina special. They are where families spend time together, where kids play, where neighbours connect, and where people go to relax, recharge, and enjoy the community they work hard to live in. As more families continue moving into Georgina, I think it’s important that we look closely at how our public spaces are being planned, maintained, and accessed. In some areas, families have great access to parks and recreation spaces. In others, there are gaps — especially in smaller neighbourhood pockets where residents may have to travel farther or cross busy roads just to access a decent park or play area. I also think there are opportunities to better utilize some of the open spaces we already have instead of allowing them to sit unused or underdeveloped. Community spaces are not just “extras.” They directly affect quality of life, especially for children, families, and residents who want to stay active and connected locally. The same conversation applies to our beaches. Tourism is important to Georgina, but many residents also feel like the balance is off. During the busiest times of the year, local families can end up feeling crowded out of the very spaces they pay taxes to support and maintain. At the same time, many residents are asking an important question: if our beaches and public spaces are bringing in large numbers of visitors, how do we make sure the community is truly benefiting from that in a meaningful way? I think there needs to be a better balance between welcoming visitors, protecting accessibility for residents, supporting cleaner and better-maintained spaces, and encouraging people to spend more time supporting local businesses and the local economy while they’re here. At the end of the day, strong communities are built around spaces where people can gather, connect, and feel proud of where they live. Investing thoughtfully in those spaces matters — not just for today, but for the future of Georgina as it continues to grow.

One of the biggest things I’ve noticed while speaking with residents is how many people feel disconnected from local decisions and community updates. A lot of people want to be informed and involved, but they often feel like they have to search through multiple sources, attend meetings they can’t always make time for, or dig through complicated information just to understand what’s happening in their own community. That shouldn’t be the case. Clear communication matters because local government decisions directly affect people’s everyday lives — from taxes and infrastructure to parks, development, water bills, community services, and long-term planning. People deserve to understand: Good communication also builds trust. Even when people may not agree on every issue, there’s a big difference between feeling ignored and feeling informed. Residents are far more likely to stay engaged and involved when communication feels transparent, accessible, and honest. I also believe communication needs to evolve with the way people actually consume information today. Not everyone has the time or ability to attend meetings or search through lengthy reports. Information should be easier to access, easier to understand, and shared in ways that help residents stay connected to what’s happening around them. To me, being part of local government is not just about making decisions — it’s also about making sure residents feel informed enough to understand them. Strong communities are built when people feel included in the conversation, not left outside of it.

To me, accountability means being honest, transparent, and willing to stand behind the decisions you make — even when the conversations are difficult. I don’t believe accountability is just about admitting when something goes wrong. I think it also means being willing to explain decisions clearly, listen to concerns, and stay open to feedback from the people affected by those decisions. One of the biggest frustrations many people have right now is feeling unheard or disconnected from the decision-making process. That’s why accountability matters so much. People deserve leadership that doesn’t avoid difficult questions or hide behind complicated language and vague answers. I also believe accountability applies financially. Residents are working hard for their money, and decisions involving taxes, spending, infrastructure, and community resources should always be approached thoughtfully and responsibly. Personally, accountability also means being real about the fact that nobody is perfect. I’m someone who believes in honest conversations, learning from mistakes, and continuing to grow. I would rather have direct and truthful discussions than pretend to have all the answers. At the end of the day, accountability is about trust. It’s about making sure people feel that their concerns matter, their voices are being considered, and that the people making decisions are doing so with integrity, transparency, and the long-term interests of the community in mind.

For a long time, I think I lived a little bit in my own bubble. I was focused on surviving life, raising my daughter, building my career, dealing with loss, trauma, stress, and just trying to keep moving forward like a lot of people do. But over the years — especially through real estate, mental health advocacy, community involvement, and even running in the last election — I started paying closer attention to what was happening around me. The more people I met, the more conversations I had, and the more situations I personally went through, the more I realized how many people feel unheard, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to navigate the systems around them. And honestly, once you start seeing it, you can’t unsee it. That’s a big part of why I’m running. Not because I think I’m perfect or have every answer, but because I care enough to step forward, learn, ask questions, listen to people, and be involved in helping move the community in a positive direction. One of the things I do best is connect with people. I understand that not everybody lives the same life or faces the same challenges, and I think that perspective matters when decisions are being made that affect real people and real families. To me, this position is about being a bridge between residents and local government — helping people feel more informed, more involved, and more connected to the decisions shaping the community they live in. I care deeply about Ward 3, and I believe communities become stronger when ordinary people are willing to step up, get involved, and work together toward something better.