Q & A - Mayoral candidate Bill Fryer
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
Affordable taxes start with responsible spending. Before asking residents for more money, council needs to clearly explain what we are spending, why it is necessary and whether there is a better way to deliver the service.
I would work with council to examine operating costs, administrative spending and capital priorities. Salaries and staffing should be supported by clear responsibilities and demonstrated service needs. Residents deserve understandable answers about where their tax dollars go.
Essential services and infrastructure must come first. Roads, drainage, water and public safety cannot be pushed aside while less urgent projects move ahead. Delaying necessary maintenance can leave taxpayers with a larger bill later.
I will not promise a tax freeze without knowing what it would mean for services. I will insist on proper oversight, realistic budgets and decisions based on need and affordability. Families and seniors should be able to remain in Amherstburg. Respecting their money is part of the job.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Responsible growth means making sure Amherstburg can support the development we approve. Growth should improve life for the people who already live here and provide a sound future for those who follow.
My concern is that infrastructure needs attention before we keep expanding. We need to understand the condition and capacity of our roads, water systems and drainage, and the cost of maintaining them. Approving development without understanding those obligations leaves residents to deal with the consequences.
Commercial and industrial growth matters because it can create local employment and broaden the tax base. However, every proposal should be judged on its actual benefits, servicing costs and effect on neighbouring properties. More development does not automatically mean better finances.
I support businesses that contribute to our community and development that fits Amherstburg. Council must consider the whole town, including its rural areas. Responsible growth requires a clear plan, honest financial information and the willingness to say when something is premature.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Amherstburg’s history is part of who we are. As someone born and raised here, I do not want to see that identity lost through decisions made without enough thought or public input.
Protecting heritage and allowing appropriate growth both require planning. We should understand what is important about a property or neighbourhood before deciding what changes are suitable. New development should respect the character of its surroundings, particularly in our historic downtown.
I support finding practical ways to keep heritage buildings useful and maintained.
Preservation needs realistic plans and a clear understanding of costs. Property owners and residents should know what is expected and have an opportunity to be heard.
Our waterfront, parks and community spaces also deserve careful consideration. Once something important is lost, we may not get it back. I would work with council, residents and property owners to make informed decisions that respect our history while meeting the town’s needs. Growth should leave Amherstburg stronger and recognizably Amherstburg.
How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Amherstburg’s history is part of who we are. As someone born and raised here, I do not want to see that identity lost through decisions made without enough thought or public input.
Protecting heritage and allowing appropriate growth both require planning. We should understand what is important about a property or neighbourhood before deciding what changes are suitable. New development should respect the character of its surroundings, particularly in our historic downtown.
I support finding practical ways to keep heritage buildings useful and maintained. Preservation needs realistic plans and a clear understanding of costs. Property owners and residents should know what is expected and have an opportunity to be heard.
Our waterfront, parks and community spaces also deserve careful consideration. Once something important is lost, we may not get it back. I would work with council, residents and property owners to make informed decisions that respect our history while meeting the town’s needs. Growth should leave Amherstburg stronger and recognizably Amherstburg.
What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
The best police service for Amherstburg is the one that meets our community’s needs safely, effectively and at a cost residents can sustain. I will not name a preferred service before residents have the information needed to judge the options fairly.
My experience as Amherstburg’s Chief of Police included budgeting, strategic planning, emergency planning and working with neighbouring services. Those skills will help me ask the right questions. Policing has changed, and current requirements and costs must guide the discussion.
I would seek clear information about the available options involving Windsor, the OPP, LaSalle and a local Amherstburg service. We need comparable information on staffing, response, community presence, specialized support and both transition and ongoing costs.
Residents should understand what each option would provide, what it would cost and how accountability would work. I would listen, explain the facts and work with council through the proper process. My responsibility is to advocate for the community’s best interests and a decision we can defend openly.
What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at all)?
My position on Open Air in its current form is clear: I would advocate ending the recurring downtown street closures. I believe the arrangement has become a burden for many residents, and their concerns deserve a proper response.
The entire community should have a voice in decisions about public streets. We need to hear from businesses, nearby residents and people who depend on vehicle access, including those with mobility challenges. Enjoying downtown should not require someone else to lose reasonable access to it.
Community events have a place in Amherstburg. However, any future proposal must explain its purpose, full cost and effect on access and local businesses. Support should be demonstrated through fair consultation, with the concerns as well as the benefits presented openly.
I would work with council to address this directly. Residents deserve a clear decision and an explanation they can understand. Public money and public streets should be managed for the benefit of the whole community.
What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
My goals begin with integrity, accountability and transparency. Residents deserve a council that listens, explains its decisions and takes responsibility for the results.
Over the next four years, I would work with council to put finances and infrastructure at the centre of our priorities. That means understandable budgets, proper oversight of spending and a realistic plan for the maintenance and improvements the town needs. Growth should follow that plan and be supported by infrastructure we can afford.
We also need an informed decision about the future of policing, protection of our heritage and waterfront, and support for businesses that bring value and employment to Amherstburg.
Just as importantly, residents across the whole town must feel heard. I want public confidence rebuilt through honest answers and consistent follow-through. I am fully retired and can give this work my attention. I am running for the people of Amherstburg. My goal is to leave the community in a stronger position than we found it.
Q & A - Mayoral candidate Bill Fryer
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