Jordan Miller

A- Financial Responsibility, Transparency and Keeping Carling Affordable

One of my biggest concerns is making sure residents receive good value for their tax dollars. I would support an independent review of our finances and major expenditures. Comparisons I’ve seen with neighbouring municipalities raise questions, but I don’t want to assume that higher costs mean something is wrong. If there are legitimate reasons we’re paying more, let’s understand them and explain them. If we’re paying more than necessary, let’s find out why and fix it.

The new regional recreation centre is a good example of the long-term costs we need to understand. The facility is well underway and will provide valuable services, but what will Carling’s share of the operating costs be once it opens? How much will need to be subsidized, what happens if those costs increase substantially, and how do our projections compare with similar facilities?

Financial responsibility also requires transparency. Major proposals and supporting documents should be easily available to residents as far in advance of Council decisions as reasonably possible. People need enough time to understand an issue, contact their councillors and have their voices heard before a vote takes place.

We have the technology available, and the people of our community are interested and want to be involved. There is strength in numbers. Even if 99% of the ideas that come forward aren’t practical, it’s that 1% containing a great idea that we need to make sure we hear.

B- Protecting Carling While Preparing for the Future

Carling’s greatest asset is the place itself — Georgian Bay, our islands, forests, wetlands and wildlife. We need to protect that environment while still allowing people to live, work and enjoy their properties here.

That means responsible development, protecting water quality, proper septic and drainage practices, and preparing for more frequent severe-weather events. We don’t know exactly how the climate is going to change, but we do know it’s changing.

We need to stay current with climate initiatives and be prepared for new technologies and any unintended environmental consequences that may come with them. Data centres are one example of a rapidly expanding technology that can create new demands on water and energy resources. Ten years from now there may be issues we haven’t even considered yet. We need to stay informed and be prepared to examine new developments carefully before they negatively affect our environment.

At the same time, construction and development can already be burdened by red tape that delays everything from new buildings to basic renovations. It’s going to be difficult to satisfy both sides, but it’s important that we try. People need to be able to complete reasonable projects in a timely manner while ensuring that development is safe for our environment.

We also need to recognize how our community is changing. Water-access residents need adequate parking and safe loading and unloading areas — something I’m hearing as a common concern. Our aging population needs facilities and access that accommodate mobility challenges.

Tourism should also be encouraged because it supports our local economy, but not at the expense of the environment that brings people here in the first place. I want as many people as possible to be able to come and enjoy what we call home, whether it’s for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks. Short-term rentals can also help some property owners retain their properties during difficult economic times. At the same time, we need to ensure increased use doesn’t overload septic systems, affect our waterways or unnecessarily disturb wildlife and neighbouring residents.

Technology and population changes will bring needs we may not even recognize today. We need to plan for where Carling will be ten years from now, not simply where it is today. That’s a lengthy discussion that requires a lot of input.

C- Infrastructure and Long-Term Planning

Roads, drainage, waste management, municipal facilities and emergency services are some of the most important responsibilities of a municipality.

My working life lately has involved construction, excavation, drainage, septic systems, heavy equipment, marinas and practical problem-solving. In the past, I’ve also been involved in a diverse range of businesses and encountered all kinds of problems. I’ve found that with persistence, dedication and a willingness to ask a lot of questions, most problems are solvable. I’m good with numbers and at identifying problems. My experience has also taught me that preventative maintenance and doing something properly the first time usually costs far less than repeatedly repairing it.

I would like Council to identify problems early, prioritize what genuinely needs to be done, prepare for changing weather and demands, and budget responsibly.

We shouldn’t simply ask, “What is the cheapest solution today?” We should be asking, “What provides the best value for Carling over the next 10 or 20 years?”

We also need to give the public room to speak on these matters. My understanding is that during COVID, public participation at meetings became more limited. Unless public input is genuinely hindering Council’s ability to conduct its business, I see no reason residents shouldn’t be able to speak about matters they’re concerned about, offer advice, ask questions and understand how and why decisions are being made.

What really started getting me interested in Township politics was the AMPS bylaw. A friend’s Facebook post caught my attention, so I started looking into it myself. I emailed the Mayor with questions and received a response from one of the Mayor’s representatives. I wasn’t completely satisfied with the answers, so I dug deeper. As I researched the issue and spoke with people who knew more about it, concerns about other Township matters started coming up as well.

About a year earlier, my good friend Mike Konoval had mentioned that Carling would be losing the Mayor and several members of Council and that people from the community would need to step up. I hadn’t seriously considered running then, but the more involved I became, the more I thought I might have something to contribute. I spoke with Mike further about what being a councillor would entail and whether I might be suited for it. After that conversation, I became genuinely excited about the idea. I love being involved, helping out, talking with people and learning about things I don’t understand.

Since then, I’ve heard concerns from residents about AMPS, Township finances, taxes, transparency and whether people have enough opportunity to understand and have input on important decisions. Rather than complain from the sidelines or play armchair quarterback, I decided I’d rather learn more, get involved and see if I could help.

I also don’t want to give the impression that I think Carling has been poorly run or that I want to come in and change everything. Quite the contrary. From what I see, a lot of things are going very well and there is a tremendous amount we should be proud of. The Mike Konoval Community Hub and all of its facilities are fantastic. The upcoming regional recreational facilities will be another great resource. We’ve seen the Township respond quickly to serious flooding and washouts, we’re investing in a new fire hall, and Carling has built substantial financial reserves. There is a lot of positive momentum that I would like to help maintain and build on.

If there have been mistakes on the financial side, I believe that with some motivation and practical problem-solving, they can be addressed. One example brought to my attention was the cost of maintenance at the cemetery. A concerned citizen spoke up, the issue was looked at, and changes were made that reduced the cost, leaving that money available for other priorities. To me, that shows the value of residents being involved and Council being willing to listen.

I also believe we can use today’s technology to provide maximum transparency and make it easier for the public to understand what’s happening and provide input. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a tight ship sailing along with a well-oiled machine underneath. They say knowledge is power, but I believe it’s taking that knowledge and using it in a meaningful way that really creates greatness.

I have a lot to learn about municipal government, and I’m excited to learn. Whoever ends up on Council will have access to many knowledgeable people in this community who are willing to contribute. If Council works with those people, hears both sides of an issue, asks the tough questions and then makes decisions based on what is best for Carling, I believe we can accomplish a great deal. Where I think something can be improved, I’m willing to speak up.

My family has deep roots here, this is my home, and I plan on living here for many years to come. I love this community. I want to help maintain what Carling is already doing well, improve the things we can, and hopefully leave it even better than we found it.

I don’t have years of experience in politics, but I’m excited to learn and to be part of it. I have boundless energy, I’m persistent, and I don’t believe in giving up. If I don’t understand something, I’ll keep asking questions and seeking out the people who do until I understand it well enough to make an informed decision.

I’ve always had a simple attitude toward challenges:

I may give out, but I’ll never give up.