Jennifer Smith

My name is Jennifer Smith, and I am running for Milton Town Council, Ward 2. Welcome to my campaign blog!

Over the coming weeks and months, I will be talking to as many people as I can (hopefully all of you!), finding out what your priorities are and what you want and expect from your Town Council.

I will also be using this blog as a forum for discussing issues that affect Ward 2 and all of Milton. I encourage you to leave me your comments and questions - let's make this a lively discussion!

For now, here are a few items to get the discussion going:

Livable, walkable, diverse.
When people talk about Milton's "small town feel", this is what they are talking about. Ward 2 has always had these qualities and can continue to do so even as we become more urban - as long as we keep our priorities straight and are willing to fight for them.

Housing.
The idea of 'affordable housing' seems to put some people off, but ask yourself: where are your kids going to live when they move out? Where are your parents going to live when they can't keep up their house any more? Where are you going to live when you retire and have to live on a pension? A healthy, diverse community includes people at all stages of life and from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds. That's part of what makes Ward 2 such a great place to live!

Pro-active municipal government.
Our town council is there to represent us, the people of Milton. And yet, how often have you heard your representatives say, "Sorry, there's nothing we can do" when it comes to sprawling development or the hollowing out of our downtown business core? Being pro-active doesn't necessarily mean spending money, although we shouldn't be afraid of making wise investments in our future. But there are all sorts of tools out there - zoning, tax incentives, by-laws, business licenses, etc. - that could be used far more effectively than they are now to shape both residential and business development for the benefit of the community.

Looking forward, not behind.
I have no interest in obsessing over what should or shouldn't have been done in the past, or in mourning over what once was. I'm interested in what we can do now to guide Milton through its transition from town to city. Time to make a fresh start!

I will be expanding on these ideas and adding more as I continue to develop my policy platform. You can also read more about my thoughts on these issues and more on my other Milton blog: Sprawlville.

Stay tuned!