For Mayor
Brian SMITH
For Deputy Mayor
Tanya SNELL
For Councillor
Faye EGO
Richard WHITE
Joe BELANGER
Sasha-Rose DILEO
Ellen TIMMS
Fred HEYDUK
michelleheyduk@outlook.com
705-429-9249
INITIATIVES WE SUPPORT
Taxes –We support responsible management of taxpayers’ dollars by minimizing tax increases, eliminating wasteful expenditures, and maximizing the return on our taxpayer dollars with services and amenities that serve all taxpayers.
Beach Drive – We support the re-opening of Beach Drive to maintain our heritage/uniqueness, assist with traffic flow and allow open access for Emergency vehicles.
Beach Redevelopment – We support a redevelopment of the beachfront that will result in world-class public spaces and amenities attracting both tourists and residents back to our beach and that will have a positive and sustainable impact on our tourism industry.
Walk-in Medical Clinic and New Doctors – We support re-opening a medical walk-in clinic in our town to provide basic healthcare services that we need and deserve. We also support the recruitment of new doctors; our town is under-serviced as evidenced by 50% of clinic patients that did not have a family doctor.
High School – We support strong advocacy for obtaining a High School in our town before the current estimated 2030 date. We support the re-establishment of a High School task force. Our children deserve to have what every other town our size has; a high school in their hometown.
Public Engagement and Transparency - Wasaga Beach taxpayers deserve the right of access to public Town Council meetings and to a council that is open and inclusive to all residents.
Infrastructure – We support progressive infrastructure that includes roads that will accommodate not only our present needs but also our future growth and we need proper sidewalks that will provide pedestrian safety.
Responsible and Ethical Management at Town Hall – We support an environment at Town Hall that is professional, respectful, and free of harassment/bullying/toxic behaviour. Town employees deserve to work under management that is positive, encouraging, and non-threatening.
Economic Development – We support a robust economic development focus. We need to attract and support new businesses to thrive.
Advocacy – We support a council that will strongly represent our Town at various levels of government to ensure we maximize funding for community centres such as the Arena/Library and for services such as health care and transportation.
Environment – We support a climate impact task force where they will identify opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint.
Name: Brian Smith
Occupation: Businessman
Contact information: brian@briansmithformayor.com; 705-209-6787
Previous politician experience: Mayor of Wasaga Beach from December 2014 to December 2018
Why have you decided to run? The lack of respect and care for taxpayers and town staff. The current mayor and council have shown Wasaga Beach that transparent government, fiscal responsibility and treatment of others is not important, and that the future of our community and economic viability are not their strong points. Selling our beachfront land for half of what it is worth with no clear plan, yet on the other hand grossly overpaying for lands to build the arena/library. Selling off the business park at a fraction of its value and pushing important infrastructure projects off for years to fund irresponsible decisions.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? I have shown in the past my ability to be a relationship builder, to work with others who will do the same in return. Work with other levels of government and obtain political buy-in for Wasaga Beach. We have a great plan that my council put together. We do not need to spend more money to know what we should do.
What are your top three issues? Redevelopment of our beach to a world-class destination similar to the Village at Blue with an open road for everyone to enjoy leading to our newly created downtown proper; reopen our walk-in medical clinic that the current council closed in spite; job creation and affordability for citizens.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? An inquiry releasing all information as possible on the mistreatment of staff, and implementing a robust whistleblower policy. Open the books to the public to see what was spent on what, how and why. Examine the beachfront deal and work with that agreement to do the very best to get something great done for Wasaga Beach.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given, who gave it to you, and why does it stay with you? I have been given a lot of great advice that has stuck with me for life. Just because we do not agree does not mean we have to hate each other or go out of our way to be nasty. Treat everyone with respect and dignity, never let the negative bring you down and never ever give up. Hug the ones you love and be kind to one another. Life is short, we may not have all day. These words of advice stick with me because they are important to my fabric and who I am.
Name: Tanya Snell
Occupation: Marketing and Communications Manager for a JV investment firm
Contact information: www.tanyasnell.ca; Tanya.m.snell@gmail.com; www.facebook.com/tanyasnellfordeputymayor
Previous political experience: Currently the elected SCDSB Trustee (Collingwood-Wasaga Beach) from 2018-22
Why have you decided to run? This election is a pinnacle one, many decisions will be made at the council table that will impact our town for generations to come. I know that with the combination of my professional background and years of community service, I will contribute a fresh, creative and collaborative perspective.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? I believe our youth are our future and that their voice should be included in our community. I am excited to see how the Youth Advisory Council is working and to add both support and ideas to strengthen its success for both our community and the experience for the participants.
What are your top three issues? Review and reinvigorate our tourism plan, ensuring we have a robust marketing plan ready to launch for 2023; Work with council to reinstate our walk-in clinic and attract other essential services; Prioritize the downtown development plan to work with landowners to ensure we are creating a cohesive look and feel.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? Review existing financial plan for the new arena/library and explore additional funding options; To establish an ambassador program to improve the experience for our guests and promote business and respect for our community; With council’s support, will pull together landowners in the downtown core to establish a collaborative working group.
Occupation: Retired
Contact information: faye@fayeego.ca; Facebook: fayeego candidate
Previous political experience: Working within the political arena not as a politician, but as President of two Ratepayers Associations.
Why have you decided to run? During the last four years as President of Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association I have become quite familiar with municipal laws and proceedings. Municipal councils have a great deal of power with very little oversight. I have done many presentations to council regarding taxpayers' concerns. I speak up to seek the truth. The current council has been in power too long.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? I'm a very strong believer in collaborating/brainstorming on ideas around a table. One person cannot make the changes, or decisions, it must be a collaborative effort. Each person has their own strengths and we must value our diversification. It is imperative to communicate from Town Hall to the Taxpayer.
What are your top three issues? Public involvement in the Beach and Main Street development plans; Revitalizing tourism and supporting local business; Re-open the Walk-In Clinic. As I campaign many people are questioning its closure.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? Open Council Meetings. I will work for a better image of our town. I will work for a town to be proud of.
Occupation: Retired, previously the Director of Sales & Sales Operations NAPA Automotive Canada
Contact information: 705-816-0733; joebelanger2016@gmail.com; www.councillorjoebelanger.com
Previous political experience: 7 years serving on Town of Wasaga Beach council
Why have you decided to run? Serving on council is an opportunity to contribute to my community and work to enhance the lives of every resident. I commit to being a community-first-always member of council.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? I am a member of the Wasaga Beach United Church and chair our Affirming Ministry Committee. Being an affirming ministry is to be all-inclusive, including race, colour, creed, culture, financial status, health status, abilities, mobility and sexual orientation. I believe that our work and learnings in becoming an all inclusive ministry will be very beneficial in becoming an all-inclusive community.
What are your top three issues? Financial responsibility and accountability in minimizing property-tax increases through a very public process; The effective redevelopment of the beachfront and development of a downtown proper; Work on community improvements including a high school, walk-in clinic, enhanced snow removal and effective traffic and parking strategy.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? Improved transparency and public input. Establish advisory committees for affordable housing and the environment. Comprehensive review of the sale of town-owned lands and public disclosure of the details. Public release of the appraisal of new library/arena lands. Comprehensive review of what contributed to 75 staff departures in the last term of council and take corrective action.
Occupation: Currently Membership Advocacy staff for the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce. Formerly Economic Development Officer, Town of Wasaga Beach 2018-2019
Contact information: votetimms@gmail.com; www.ellentimms.ca; Facebook: Ellen Timms, Candidate for Wasaga Beach Council; Instagram @ellentimms
Previous political experience: I have not held the role of elected official although I have been engaged throughout my career with all tiers of government. I was appointed to and chaired a Local Board in Mississauga (Business Improvement Area) and also served as President of the Ontario BIA Association where I worked closely with liaison representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. I served on many boards and committees including the Mississauga Tourism Board, Mississauga Cultural Planning Committee, Port Credit Advisory Committee, and received special recognition from Heritage Mississauga for “dedicated service and commitment to creating a better community and lasting legacy.”
Why have you decided to run? My career was spent in community building and I see the great potential in managing our expected growth while returning Wasaga Beach to the desirable tourist destination it once was. I want residents to feel that their opinions matter and are heard.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? Municipalities are responsible for the quality of life of residents, so we need a Wasaga Beach that works for everyone. I believe that equity and inclusion create a sustainable and welcoming community and will start by engaging diverse groups to participate in meetings to understand the issues from all perspectives.
What are your top three issues? High School Before 2030 – We need to be poised for the next round of funding; Beachfront Development – Include public consultation to create a beachfront that will support our residents and attract tourism; Managed Growth – Density that protects natural resources and improves the livability of Wasaga Beach – including sidewalks and parks.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? Public engagement to understand issues and bring them to the council table in planning the next term’s priorities. I will advocate for respect, transparency and fairness at the Council table. Economic recovery to bring the property tax balance back in line and take the burden off residential tax bills.
Occupation: Director of Sales at Lesters
Contact information: richard@richardwhite.ca; www.facebook.com/richardwhitewasagabeachcouncil
Previous political experience: Vice-Chair of the Wasaga Beach High School Task Force advisory committee, 2014-18; Vice Chair of the Wasaga Beach Advisory Committee on Tourism, 2018-19
Why have you decided to run? As a longtime resident, I feel the need to represent the needs of all the residents. We are much more than a retirement town or beach town. We have growing families that need community safety and affordable living.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? As a father with 3 daughters, I easily see the benefits of gender equality in daily life. In Wasaga Beach, we are attracting much more diversity, and it is important to embrace that early on as a community. Encouraging diverse voices at the table is the best way to meet the changing needs of our community.
What are your top three issues? Safety — As we grow we need to make sure the streets and beach are safer; Taxes — Affordable living is more than housing, we need to spend wisely to keep Wasaga affordable; Representation — We need a council that represents everyone. Many candidates are there to represent another politician, that is costly to the taxpayers.
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? The next term of council will have to work as a team to deliver a beachfront that is truly a destination. We need to build more than a condo and concrete jungle. It will take hard work with the stakeholders to navigate the difficult process of making a beachfront we can all enjoy.
Occupation: Entrepreneur - 30 years owning and managing a printing company
Contact information: Email: Elect@sasharose.ca; Facebook: Sasha-Rose Dileo; Website: sasharose.ca; Phone: 416-258-5018
Previous political experience: Community Liaison/Metropolitan Toronto Auxiliary Police Officer, and small business media advocate
Why have you decided to run? To bring forth new ideas to unite the community after many years of difficulties experienced by many residents who have approached me so I may assist them in navigating through bureaucracies. Bring back open governance, fiscal responsibility and trust within our community and “Bridge Wasaga Beach Together.” Heal the divide among our community.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? Having lived in a major town centre, and born and raised in Toronto’s Little Italy, it has provided me through the years the experience and need for all individuals to feel they belong, regardless of how long they have lived in a community.
What are your top three issues? Transparency and bringing back trust in our community. Reopen walk-in clinic, and enhance and grow our tourism.
If elected, what do you plan to accomplish in your first 100 days? My hope is to bring forward the issues that many have discussed with me: transportation, public works, affordable housing, and the natural resources (trails, wetlands, forests) that our residents enjoy. Help seniors with removal of snow left behind by plows at the bottom of driveways. Make Beach 1 and 2 enjoyable year round for both tourists and residents.
Occupation: retired postal employee
Contact info: Facebook: Fred Heyduk
Previous political experience: Chairperson of the Wasaga Beach Accessibility Advisory Committee (11 years).
Why have you decided to run? I am hoping to embrace residents with their issues, and hopefully bring the residents’ issues to council and answer their issues as a council.
How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? Keeping Wasaga Beach more accessible and making the town more inclusive for all citizens.
What are your top three issues? Making a high school a reality; make Wasaga Beach a hot spot for people everywhere; bringing more businesses into Wasaga Beach
If elected, what do you plan to champion in your first 100 days? Rebrand Beach Area 1 to attract tourists and keep working for a must-needed high school.