Q & A - Councillor Candidate - Keith Boussey
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
I believe residents deserve good value for every tax dollar they pay. That means looking closely at where our money is going, finding efficiencies and making sure we’re spending on the services that matter most to residents.
I would ask the questions before supporting new spending and make sure we’re planning for the long term, not just the next budget.
At the same time, we need to recognize that growth can help. Attracting new businesses and responsible development can broaden our tax base and help take some pressure off existing taxpayers.
I don’t believe keeping taxes affordable means simply cutting services. We need to maintain the roads, fire services, policing, parks and other services our community relies on.
For me, it’s about being responsible, planning ahead and treating taxpayers’ money like it’s our own.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
To me, responsible growth means growing Amherstburg without losing what makes it a great place to live.
We need to attract the right commercial and industrial development, but it has to make sense for our community and our infrastructure. I believe growing the commercial and industrial tax base is important.
More businesses and good jobs can bring more tax revenue without putting all the pressure on homeowners.
But growth needs to be planned properly. We need to make sure our roads, water, sewers, emergency services and other infrastructure can keep up. I’m not against growth. I’m for the right growth, done responsibly and with the long-term interests of Amherstburg in mind.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
I believe we can protect Amherstburg’s heritage while still allowing the town to grow. Our history and heritage are a big part of what makes Amherstburg unique and once those things are gone, we can’t get them back.
At the same time, we can’t expect the town to stay exactly as it was forever.
We need to find a reasonable balance between protecting important heritage properties and allowing appropriate development. I would support development that respects the character of the surrounding area, while also making sure heritage rules are clear, fair and practical for property owners.
For me, it comes down to asking what is truly worth protecting, listening to residents and property owners, and looking at each situation on its own merits.
We should honour our past while making sure Amherstburg has a future.
(6) What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
I think Amherstburg needs a police service that provides the best level of safety and service for our residents while being responsible with their tax dollars. I don’t think we should decide that one service is automatically the answer without looking at the facts. We should compare the OPP, Windsor Police and an Amherstburg Police Service based on cost, response times, coverage, accountability and what we’ll need as our community grows. I would advocate for a transparent review of all the options, with input from residents and frontline officers, before making a decision. At the end of the day, safety has to come first. But we also have a responsibility to make sure residents are getting the best possible service for the money they’re paying.
(5)What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at all)?
I think Open Air can be a good thing for Amherstburg, but I don’t think closing our streets every weekend is necessarily the best way to do it. I’d like to see us look at different options, whether that means using parks and other spaces, having street closures less often, or focusing them around special events. We should also be listening to the businesses that are affected and making sure residents can still easily access the downtown, especially those with mobility issues. I’m not looking to get rid of Open Air. I think we should keep what works, look honestly at what doesn’t and find a way that works for businesses, residents and visitors. We don’t have to choose between having events and having a functioning downtown, we should be able to do both.
(6) What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
Over the next four years, my goal would be to make Amherstburg a stronger community without losing what makes it special. I want to see responsible growth that brings in new businesses, expands our tax base and creates opportunities, while making sure our infrastructure and services can keep up. I also want to be responsible with taxpayers’ money. That means asking the questions, looking for efficiencies and making sure we’re getting good value for every dollar we spend. I want a more open and transparent Council where residents know why decisions are being made and have a real opportunity to be heard. And finally, I want to protect the things that make Amherstburg home, our heritage, our small-town character, our parks, our rural areas and our sense of community. I’m not looking to change Amherstburg just for the sake of change. I want to move the town forward in a way that makes sense for the people who live here.
Q & A - Councillor Candidate - Keith Boussey
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