BIOGRAPHY
My name is Gregory J. McLean and I ask for your support to elect me as a Brockton councillor.
Brockton has been my home for over 20 years. I love my community and care deeply about where I live. My vision for Brockton is one that promotes prosperity and wellness. I wish to be a part of a council working towards that vision.
I have two adult children, Abby and Lucas, and a son, Dashiel, who is in Grade 12 at SHHS. My wife Jayne is a guidance counsellor, also at SHHS. I am a recently-retired elementary school principal after a 30-year career. I am an accomplished leader and have valuable skills in collaborating, listening, and relationship building. These skills are necessary to be successful as a member of council.
I have served our community in a variety of ways. As the Chair of the Friends of the Walkerton and Chesley Hospitals group, I continue to advocate for the viability of our emergency departments. I am a co-organizer of Brockton’s commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I volunteer with the Victoria Jubilee Hall. I am also a musician and have enjoyed performing locally. My podcast, “A Slice of Brockton,” promotes local voices making a difference in the municipality.
In my personal and professional life I have worked for the common good. Now I ask for an opportunity to serve the common good of Brockton residents.
BIGGEST ISSUE
Though we live in a community with a high quality of life, in this election there are a number of issues that we need to address to work towards an even better Brockton, and depending who you talk to, there are a number of challenges that are on the minds of the electorate.
The homelessness situation comes to the forefront of work that needs to be done. It is really shameful that we see people sleeping on storefront alcoves and sleeping rough out in our park areas. Council will need to hold accountable the Bruce County Housing as Brockton funnels tax dollars to assist in supporting the people without shelter. Council must effectively reach all those who are without shelter and require other measures of assistance such as mental health and addictions support. We must also promote services such as 211 that helps people connect to community, social and health services.
Working closely with Bruce County, council must entice partnerships with developers in creating a supply of attainable and affordable housing. We know it is possible. In Coburg for example, the three levels of government combined for an $8 million, 40-unit project. We need the county to be forward thinking and proactive in the planning for further release of land that can allow developers to increase our housing supply.
We know there is a crisis in health care and that is affecting our local hospital’s ability to consistently keep open the emergency room. I have been a leader in the fight to keep it open through organizing our local grass roots group, Friends of the Walkerton and Chelsey Hospitals. We have demanded transparency and action from the SBGHC Board as well as our MPP Lisa Thompson and have had ongoing meetings with them to do what we can to keep things open. If elected as a member of council, you know you have a voice who has the ear of those people best in the position to help. You can see the power that a group of committed citizens can have.
The Victoria Jubilee Hall is an absolute gem of building in our community. As a supporter of heritage and the arts and culture scene, I see this building as not only a significant historical landmark, but the centrepiece for local people to gather, perform, and to celebrate Brockton. I feel the VJH should be a place for our young people. There is potential for the VJH to be more self-sufficient and to have an increased role in promoting arts and culture in our community. Let’s work towards this vision.
Imagine a Brockton without volunteers? We must engage our youth more effectively in civic life and promote the benefits of volunteerism and service. Together with our service clubs, council members, businesses and those from other sectors of the community must gather and discuss how best to ensure that Brockton has the next generation of people willing to give back to the community. Investing in our youth is necessary for maintaining the wonderful community in which we live.
I ask for your support on Oct. 24 in working towards this vision of Brockton that benefits us all.
