Vote Matt Brown for Ward 7

Working Together to Get Things Done

There is a strong disconnect between our current City Council and the people they were elected to serve. We need a council with a progressive vision that focuses on the future direction of our community. We need a council that recognizes the primary purpose of local government is to provide services to our community and that 
decisions made at City Hall affect our lives in a real and tangible way. Now, with the elimination of the Board of Control, it is more important than ever before that we elect a group of councillors who will consult, listen and are capable of working together to get things done for all of London.

Honesty, Openness and Transparency

Serving on City Council should be seen as a privilege and should I be elected I intend to: 

• Hold myself accountable to Ward 7 residents and all Londoners. 

• Respond to all phone calls and emails from constituents in a timely manner. 

• Hold regularly scheduled public meetings in the Ward. 

• Be available for questions online and go door to door to speak with residents throughout the term. 

• Support the appointment of a Municipal Auditor General (as recommended by Chamber of Commerce) to ensure that our public funds are spent responsibly and that we receive value-formoney in all City operations.

Responsible Spending/Holding the Line on Taxes

Over the past 10 years, not including water and sewer charges, municipal taxes have increased by 38%. This is far too much and significantly above the inflation rate for the same period of time. It is critically important that we have a City Council that understands how hard residents work to earn the tax dollars the City collects. 
Londoners need to know that they are receiving good value for their money, which is why I support appointing a “Municipal Auditor General”. My goal is to ensure we have responsible spending and a reasonable level of taxation given the services expected by the community.

Job Creation

We need to keep existing jobs and attract new well paying, full time jobs. We must clearly communicate that London is open for business and we must work collaboratively with residents, local business, workers, associations, advocacy groups, our college, university, and various levels of government to find the right balance of incentive programs to attract and retain jobs.

Responsible Growth

Reasonable and responsible growth for London is essential to maintaining a fair balance between the taxes we pay and the services we expect in return. 
Future growth needs to be well planned and controlled. Plans should: 

• Be sustainable from financial, social and environmental perspectives. 
• Ensure existing roads and infrastructure are appropriate for the type of development planned. 
• Be compatible with existing land use. 
• Ensure services and amenities are available to residents soon after they move in. Individuals and families should not have to deal with spotty snow removal or wait years for traffic lights, sidewalks, trees, transit service, and parks and recreational areas.

Transportation and Traffic

Congestion is a serious problem in Ward 7 and it negatively affects our quality of life, our economy, and our environment. 

Traffic issues must be addressed, including: 

• Traffic flow, traffic lights (properly placed in new neighbourhoods and appropriate use of advance green etc.) 

• Issues associated with Richmond Street, Fanshawe Park Road, Hyde Park Road, Sarnia Road, the Sarnia Road Bridge and others. 

• Ensure public transit, walking and cycling are viable travel options. 

• Introduce a low cost Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) strategy across London.

Safe Neighbourhoods and Healthy Families

The primary responsibility of our city government is to ensure the safety and well-being of London residents. It is important that we have: 

• Safe, walkable, connected neighbourhoods that are close to services, amenities, parks and green space. (in new areas these need to be developed at the same time homes are being built). 
• Recreational and community meeting space available and accessible by all neighbourhoods. 
• Strategies for reducing speed and eliminating “cut through traffic”. 
• Vandalism and graffiti free neighbourhoods. 
• Vibrant Block Parent and Neighbourhood Watch Associations.

Fostering Volunteerism in our Community

There are over 1,000 nonprofits and charities in London (including: service clubs, neighbourhood associations, and many other non-governmental organizations). Individually and collectively these groups add incredible cultural, spiritual and economic value to our community and enhance our overall quality of life for little or no cost to the taxpayer. Pillar Nonprofit Network estimates that 60% of Londoners volunteer in our community. It is important that our City Council support these organizations as their volunteers and staff work to serve our community and to improve the lives of all Londoners.

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