BIOGRAPHY
A town is made of streets, houses, businesses, and people, but a community is made of spirit, respect, tolerance, perseverance and friends.
So much more goes into the making of a great community. It’s the citizens that make a difference… and we all should be very proud that we are part of North Perth. As a lifelong resident, I can tell you, I know I am.
As a councillor for the Listowel Ward since 2010, I have served on many committees and boards: Library Board, Memorial Park Rehabilitation Committee, Recreation Complex Committee, Economic Development, Budget Chair and Chair of the Court of Revision. Prior to council, I served on the volunteer fire department for nine years.
Over the past 12 years I have witnessed significant change and growth in North Perth, however the next several years are going to be fiscally challenging for everyone including our municipality, and we need experience on council to navigate the difficult times ahead.
On election day, Oct. 24, exercise your democratic right to vote. Regardless of who you vote for, it is vital that this right is exercised. Your right. Vote and choose your government.
For experience, integrity and commitment to you… re-elect me, Matt Richardson, and let’s move our great community forward… together.
BIGGEST ISSUE
There are many issues that are important in the municipality, but in my opinion the most important issue facing North Perth currently will be finances. On the heels of COVID-19, supply chain woes, rising interest rates, inflation and fears of recession, we need to be very careful going forward that we can continue to provide the services we currently offer in the most cost-effective way that we can.
We have looming infrastructure costs that will only rise in the future. We currently have tenders that are being submitted over the estimated costs. These increases will only continue for the foreseeable future. Tendering companies are also experiencing their own rising costs for materials and fuel, and this does not necessarily take into account their own staffing shortages. These increases need to be passed along to anyone they do work for, including municipalities. Even though costs are increasing everywhere, we still need to move forward. Roads, culverts and bridges still need to be repaired and/or replaced. Our water treatment facility still needs to be maintained. Our core services need to function. These particular items as well as others can’t be shelved to wait for prices to come down.
The real estate boom that we have just experienced recently has started to level off. Rising interest rates are making new home ownership more difficult, and current home ownership more expensive. Any costs to move forward with anything cannot always be shouldered by large increases in property taxes. We need to be as fiscally responsible with all of our tax dollars as we possibly can.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many other municipal initiatives that are equally as vital, but will need to be carefully considered and properly vetted to be adopted. If they are affordable and we can adequately fund them and are budgeted for, then absolutely. But we need to maintain and improve our core services first and dovetail any other initiatives only where its financially possible and makes sense for North Perth.
In the years ahead for our municipality, I feel that previous council experience will be needed to make the best decisions for North Perth, as we all move forward together. I can provide this experience.
On Oct. 24, please consider re-electing Matt Richardson for the Listowel Ward. Let me continue to serve you with integrity and commitment for the next four years.
Thank you.
