WENDY BRUNETTA

Being born and raised in Fort Frances, and serving on council over the last four years, I am keenly aware of the issues that face our community.
As a human resources professional, I have extensive training and experience in the areas of active listening, relationship building, negotiations, and dispute resolution. All of these have been beneficial in my role as counsellor.
I also have an accounting background which has been invaluable on the Administration and Finance Executive Committee and the Non-Profit Housing Committee.
Finally, I believe that my values of positive attitude, integrity, excellence, and diversity have helped me to be a strong and open-minded counsellor.
I believe there are five main issues that will face our council over the next four years:
1) Financial stability: We need to ensure that our revenues are sustainable in light of the challenges that may be coming around possible cuts by the new Provincial government, as well as a limited tax base due to the mill closure and very few building lots. To expand our tax base, we will need to consider development of more building lots.
2) Infrastructure: We will need to ensure that our Asset Management Plan is up-to-date so that our funding applications to the Province meet their new requirements. Without provincial funding, we cannot afford to replace our aging infrastructure.
3) Relationships: We must continue to actively engage and encourage respectful collaboration with our neighbouring municipalities and First Nations, as well as maintain close relationships with our MPP and MP and the groups that advocate on our behalf (NOMA, AMO, and RRDMA).
4) Economic Development: We were fortunate that when our mill closed, we felt very little economic impact because the mine opened. However, the mine will not last 100 years like the mill did. To ensure minimal impact when the mine eventually closes, we need to increase our efforts today to find other commercial and industrial enterprises.
5) Social Issues: We need to continue to work with our community partners to address issues such as increased court cases, increased discarded needles, an aging population with increasing medical needs, as well as issues arising with the upcoming legalization of marijuana.
A sustainable future for our community has many components: Financial sustainability by developing, or working with a developer, to have more building lots so that our taxation revenue can increase without transferring the burden to our existing taxpayers; attracting viable commercial and industrial enterprises to recoup the lost taxation from the mill closure; position ourselves as a “destination,” not just a “drive-through” community–find some way of enticing our tourist traffic to stop and enjoy what we have to offer.
I see the Shevlin wood yard as that opportunity, through thoughtful discussions with consultants, our community, and possibly private enterprise.
My vision, my dream, is that Fort Frances is a safe, welcoming and vibrant community where our families can live, work and play for many generations to come. I look forward to once again serving you on council.