You Asked. I've Answered

Q: Would you support the adoption of a ward system in LaSalle for council elections? (A ward system reduces barriers to entry for folks like yourself who want to run for office. Consider the fact that in Windsor, a much larger city than LaSalle, council candidates can run a much lower cost campaign with a fraction of the outreach.)

Yes, I would support the implementation of a Ward system for the Town of LaSalle as our population continues to grow. I believe a Ward system would improve representation by ensuring that each area of the Town has a dedicated Councillor who is accessible, accountable, and directly focused on the needs of their constituents.

As a long-time resident of the Oliver Farms neighbourhood – having lived there for over 18 years – I’ve observed firsthand the lack of consistent engagement from elected officials. To date, we have had only one Councillor visit our neighbourhood, and that was during an election many years ago. In conversations with neighbours, a recurring concern is that when they reach out to Council, some members are not even aware that Oliver Farms is part of LaSalle.

A Ward system would help address these gaps by ensuring all areas of the Town receive the attention and representation they deserve. It’s a step toward stronger community engagement and more equitable governance.
 

 

Q: Would you support the separation of LaSalle from the Essex County government, making it a single-tier municipality? LaSalle is currently a lower-tier municipality within the County of Essex. The taxes paid by LaSalle residents to the county, mostly for roads, far exceed the services LaSalle residents receive in return. 

It’s important to recognize that the taxes we pay to the County of Essex support far more than just road maintenance. These funds also contribute to a range of essential services, including Library Services, Emergency Services, Long-Term Care, Corporate and Community Services (such as Human Resources and Finance), as well as provincially mandated external commitments like Social Services, Social Housing, and Public Health.

As LaSalle continues to grow into a larger and more self-sustaining community, I would be open to exploring the possibility of separating from the County of Essex – but only if it is fiscally responsible to do so. It’s important to understand that such a decision would mean LaSalle taxpayers assume the full financial responsibility for these services, which are currently shared across the County. Any consideration of separation would need to be based on a thorough financial analysis, ensuring that the long-term implications are in the best interest of our residents.

 

 

Q: If you disagree [with the question above], how would you propose that LaSalle receive its fair share of services from the County?

The concept of a “fair share” can be difficult to define when it comes to the services funded through our levy to the County of Essex. For instance, in the case of emergency services, using less than our proportional share in a given year is not necessarily negative – it could simply reflect lower demand, which is generally a positive outcome.

Each local municipality's contribution to the County levy is determined by its total assessed property value, based on tax rates and ratios set annually by the County. As a result, unless there is a change in the funding model, LaSalle – due to its relatively higher property values – will continue to contribute a larger portion of the overall levy.
 

 

Q: Most of LaSalle's core services are provided by other municipalities. Consider the facts that we purchase water, sewage treatment and (limited) public transit from the City of Windsor. Land ambulances and libraries are provided by the County of Essex. Social services are provided by the City of Windsor on behalf of the County of Essex. Solid waste management (except for actual garbage pickup) is provided by a city/county agency. Recycling pickup is provided by the province. At its core, LaSalle is roads, sewers, parks and a police department. Aside from the blue street signs, what sets LaSalle apart and justifies it as an independent municipality?

While roads, sewers, and parks, are essential components of any municipality, LaSalle is much more than just its basic infrastructure. Our community is proudly served by LaSalle Police and Fire Services – an exceptional team of dedicated professionals who protect life and property with commitment and care. But what truly sets LaSalle apart is our strong sense of community, the quality of life we enjoy, and the comprehensive range of services available to our residents.

Much of this is made possible through strategic collaboration with regional partners, including the County of Essex. Collaboration should not be viewed as a weakness; in fact, it enables us to provide a higher standard of service at a shared cost. Services such as ambulance (EMS), libraries, social programs, solid waste management, recycling, and even water and wastewater treatment are costly and complex. If LaSalle were to provide all of these independently, the financial burden on local taxpayers would increase substantially.

By working together and sharing costs across municipalities, we ensure that LaSalle residents benefit from high-quality services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This collaborative approach helps us preserve the small-town character and strong community spirit we value – without compromising on the services that make LaSalle a great place to live.

 
 

Q: Do you support adding more by-law officers since the Town is growing? 

Yes, I support adding more by-law officers. As the Town continues to grow, it’s important that our municipal departments expand accordingly to meet the evolving needs of our residents. Adding a by-law officer is a practical step to help ensure local regulations are effectively enforced and community standards are maintained. It’s about making sure we have the right resources in place to support a safe, well-managed, and responsive community.