Stittsville is changing quickly. New homes, new residents and new development bring opportunities, but they also put pressure on roads, transit, drainage, water systems, businesses, public services and community infrastructure.
We need to plan for the whole community, not just one project at a time.
My Plan of Action is based on four stages: Planning (Brainstorming), Design, Construction and Maintenance.
PLANNING (BRAINSTORMING)
Listen First, Then Think Through the Options
Every decision should begin with residents, not with a blueprint. This stage is about open brainstorming with residents, our advisory committees and subject-matter volunteers before anything is drawn on paper. We look honestly at population growth, existing gaps, community priorities and the realistic options available, so the direction we choose actually reflects what Stittsville needs.
Good decisions start with good listening, not a predetermined answer.
DESIGN
Turn Ideas Into a Sound, Practical Plan
Once community priorities are clear, those ideas are shaped into an actual design. This means reviewing traffic and transit impact, roads and intersections, pedestrian and cycling connections, water and wastewater capacity, stormwater and drainage, ground and soil conditions, parks, schools and community facilities, emergency services access, environmental conditions, and existing infrastructure capacity. Nothing moves forward until it fits the bigger picture of the community, not just one project on its own.
A sound design solves today's need without creating tomorrow's problem.
CONSTRUCTION
Build for Quality, Safety and Long Term Value
When projects move into construction, the focus should be on delivering appropriate quality and long term value. Consider construction coordination, quality control, safety, traffic management during construction, resident and business communication, appropriate materials, project costs, avoiding unnecessary duplication, future capacity and long term performance.
Build it right the first time whenever possible.
MAINTENANCE
Protect What We Build
Infrastructure does not end when construction is complete. We need to plan for roads, sidewalks, drainage systems, parks, public spaces, community facilities, transit infrastructure, preventive maintenance, repairs, replacement cycles and long term operating costs.
Protect today's investment so taxpayers do not pay more tomorrow.
Bring the Right Expertise to the Table
Our community has professionals, experienced residents and retired experts who understand many of the challenges facing a growing city. Their knowledge should be part of the conversation.
Architecture & Urban Design
Architects, urban designers and planning professionals.
Engineering & Infrastructure
Civil, structural, municipal and transportation engineers.
Construction & Project Management
Construction professionals, project managers, contractors and cost specialists.
Geotechnical & Ground Conditions
Experts in soil, groundwater, ground stability, foundations and drainage conditions.
Water & Stormwater
Hydrologists, water resource specialists and drainage professionals.
Transportation & Transit
Traffic engineers, transportation planners and transit professionals.
Public Safety
People with experience in policing, fire services, emergency management and public safety.
Environment
Environmental professionals, ecologists and sustainability specialists.
Policy & Government
Policy analysts, researchers, municipal professionals and people with government experience.
Finance & Value Analysis
Financial professionals, economists, procurement specialists and people with value engineering or life cycle costing experience.
Business & Economic Development
Business owners, entrepreneurs and people with commercial and economic development experience.
Accessibility & Community Services
Professionals and residents with experience in accessibility, seniors, recreation and community services.
Residents
The most important expertise is the experience of the people who live here.
Professional expertise matters. Local experience matters too. We need both.
Four Levels of Community Advisory Committees
Before any major decision is made for Stittsville, it should pass through our own residents — people selected from within the community who are properly educated in their field, and who bring sound judgement, hands-on experience and real skill to the table. Here is how that structure would work.
Neighbourhood Advisory Groups
Residents from each part of Ward 6 meet close to home to raise everyday concerns and share firsthand experience of their own streets and neighbourhoods.
Subject-Matter Advisory Committees
Stakeholders with proper education, professional background and practical, on-the-job experience in a relevant field examine the technical merit of an issue.
Ward 6 Advisory Council
A smaller council of vetted stakeholders, chosen for their qualifications and logical, practical judgement, brings neighbourhood input and subject-matter review together into one clear recommendation.
Councillor Review & City Advocacy
As Councillor, I review the council's recommendation, ask questions where needed, and carry it forward through the City's formal process, then report back to residents.
Every level is made up of Stittsville residents, not outside consultants — people chosen from our own community for the education, skill and practical experience they already have.
How the Advisory Process Works
These community groups would provide knowledge, advice and recommendations. Final decisions would continue to follow the City's legal, regulatory, budgetary and administrative processes.
Every Month: You Raise It. We Track It. We Report Back.
Residents should not have to raise the same issue repeatedly without knowing what happened.
YOU RAISE THE CONCERN
Residents bring forward problems, ideas and priorities.
WE DOCUMENT IT
Issues are recorded and categorized.
WE FOLLOW UP
The appropriate City department, committee, organization or authority is contacted.
WE REPORT BACK
At the next Town Hall, residents receive an update.
No disappearing issues. No forgotten concerns.
A Strong Community Needs Strong Local Businesses
Stittsville is growing, but growth should mean more than new houses. A complete community needs businesses, services, employment opportunities and places where residents can meet their everyday needs.
Grocery stores, gas stations, EV charging, coffee shops, restaurants, pharmacies, childcare, professional services, local shops and everyday community services all matter to a complete neighbourhood.
We should identify where services are missing and understand what infrastructure, transportation and planning conditions are needed to support appropriate business growth.
The goal is not for government to choose which businesses succeed. The goal is to create a community where local businesses have an opportunity to establish, grow and serve residents.
GROWTH
We cannot plan housing separately from the infrastructure and services that make a community work.
Growth should be coordinated with roads, transit, drainage, water, businesses, public services, parks, safety and the long term needs of residents.
What Do I Mean by Value Engineering?
Value engineering means asking whether we are achieving the right result, at the right quality, with the right design and the best long term value for taxpayers.
Lowest price is not always the best value. Smart value means quality, function, durability and long term cost.
From Promises to Progress
I want residents to be able to see not only what I said during the campaign, but what happened afterward.
Let's Build a Better Stittsville Together
Better planning does not happen from one office or one person. It happens when residents, professionals, businesses and government work together.