Platform
Effective and Consistent Leadership
There are many issues facing municipalities across our province and our country, Thames Centre included. Whether it is tackling the housing crisis or climate change, advocating for safer railroad crossings or more local policing resources, asset management of our infrastructure or protecting agricultural land, advocating for our rural/small schools or better regional transit options, the realm of municipal responsibilities is growing at a rapid rate. Thames Centre has been at the forefront, thanks to the leadership in advocacy we have taken. Now is the time to continue full steam ahead on these issues with a leader who knows the issues and has developed important relationships with organizations, stakeholders and other municipal leaders. Through my work and positions with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Ontario Good Roads Association, Middlesex-London Board of Health, Thames Valley District School Board and others, I am that leader.
Building An Inclusive Community
No matter where your life path has taken you, where you are in your age or stage of development, or how your abilities are present, Thames Centre is a community that you can call home. After a walk through a town in our community with a local resident who is blind, it struck me how inaccessible our community is, and I wondered how one's independence could be impacted by these barriers. This sparked my work to create Thames Centre’s first ever Accessibility and Inclusivity Committee to ensure all community members have a more equitable opportunity to feel welcome and succeed. Through the AIAC, we have completed the construction and opened the new Inclusive Playground where everybody can play. Also this summer, the AIAC hosted and celebrated the inaugural Pride Festival, and the Committee is continuing its important work to develop a path to Indigenous Reconciliation in Thames Centre. This is just the beginning in creating and continuing to foster an inclusive community.
Over the last few years, Thames Centre has consistently had one of the lowest tax rates in the region, while continuing to increase service levels through smart, effective and creative decision-making.
Thames Centre is seen as a leader on many fronts with what we can accomplish while keeping our tax rates low for our residents. Through our annual Budget Survey and the public process of our budget, I will continue to ensure your hard-earned dollars are respected as we make decisions.
Citizen Engagement
When I was first elected, I ran on a platform of transparency and accountability in order to create better engagement with the public. Since then, I have made every effort to do that successfully. I have been the most active Council member in history in terms of social media engagement and being readily available to answer questions and concerns through every avenue possible, whether by phone, text, email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or WhatsApp. During the pandemic, I created a blog to keep those not on social media updated with the ever-changing rules and regulations. Through my leadership, Thames Centre began using SurveyMonkey to get community feedback, including our now annual Budget Survey, as well as posting planning notifications on our website to go above and beyond the Planning Act regulations.
I recognize Thames Centre still has more to do to create better engagement with our citizens, and we can make those changes together, just as we have over the last eight years.
Respecting Tax
Dollars
Kelly Elliott For Mayor
Over the last eight years on Council, I have proven myself to be a hard-working, engaged, accessible and experienced candidate who is committed to making Thames Centre the ideal place to live, work and play.
I appreciate your support, and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. For ease, I have included a contact form below.
- Kelly
