Traffic, taxes, infrastructure among issues for Boussey

Keith Boussey

Aiming to follow in the footsteps of his father, Keith Boussey is making a run at a seat on Amherstburg town council.

Boussey is running for one of the five councillor positions in the Oct. 26 municipal election. He said he has always been interested in local issues but his previous job required him travel a lot. Boussey’s current job gives him more flexibility.

“I’ve always been interested in what is going on in town,” he said.

Boussey is employed as a quality engineer, with his last job being in purchasing. He said his current job allows him to take problems, issue an analysis and determine the best path for a solution.

Taxes are one of the big pressures facing Amherstburg taxpayers, he believes.

“Everyone seems to be concerned about the rising cost of living,” said Boussey.

Boussey said taxes rise every year and wants to know how it compares to other heritage community. 

“It just feels like our tax increases seem bigger than everyone else’s,” he said.

A better understanding of spending versus taxation needs to happen including incoming versus outgoing money.

“What is the balance?” he asked.

Questions Boussey wants answered is what is the town’s debt load and tax load and how much tax money goes towards debt?

“This is what we have to ask ourselves. Are we living within our means or are we overspending?” said Boussey.

Boussey added that more people need to realize that Amherstburg includes McGregor, River Canard and the rural areas of town.

“We need to think of our community being bigger than the core of downtown,” he said.

Concession roads are in poor condition and while rural roads need work, other roads are done “on a wish.”

Concession 6 North is in bad shape and isn’t scheduled to be done for several years.

“Someone is going to get hurt on that road we’re going to be liable for it,” he said.

Other roads Boussey listed that need work are Concession 8 North, and Concession 3 North.

“I see other roads that being repaired. These roads are in far better condition than ones in the country,” said Boussey.

Boussey said he hears from both sides relating to Open Air Weekends. Some people love it and some businesses do well, but he added other businesses and residents are not benefitting. There has to be “a happy balance,” he said.

One resident he spoke with said they have lived downtown for 22 years and have never had traffic issues like with Open Air. Others enjoy Open Air, but Boussey wonders if closing public streets for private enterprise is the way to go. He also wants to see what tax money is spent on it.

“The residents deserve a voice and so do businesses,” he said. “Somewhere there has to be a balance.”

Boussey added he wants people to know “I’m one of them” and that the town has to be passed down from one generation to the next in good shape. The town has to be taken care of without losing its charm.

Traffic - taxes - infrastructure among issues for Boussey

By Ron Giofu