Fiscal responsibility and accountability
Proper use of tax payers’ money is a main priority of mine. It requires always asking the questions of how and why our dollars are being put to use.
These are uncertain times we live in and they require a smart, disciplined, well thought out, budgetary plan. My commitment is to look very carefully at both our wants and needs for the village. I will be using a forward motion of momentum to improving, enhancing and maintaining the lifestyle that brought us all to live in Harrison in the first place. My goal is to continue to make Harrison the destination to live, visit and explore while keeping the small town charm, character and aesthetics.
Projects cannot just be moved forward because of grant funding. Grant funding is and has been a huge and essential part of our village development. While grants help fund the projects, the village tax dollars have to fill in funding gaps, and fund the continuous upkeep and maintenance down the road. It is important to make sure we, the village, have the ability and funds to apply the continuous support necessary to capitalize on the investments made to the community.
Rainy day planning is another important piece to municipal expenditures. Just like your home, municipal infrastructure has a life span. This is never the “fun exciting stuff” to talk about but it is the backbone of a well-run village and can’t be ignored. It requires a solid “To Do List” with timelines, proper schedules and a well costed plan that has been accounted for and saved for over the years. There should be no surprises when it comes to infrastructure upkeep and improvements.
Accountability and trust is another very important piece to the residents of Harrison Hot Springs’ wellbeing. This has been a mainstay of kitchen table conversations by residents all around the village. When voters check a name on a ballot, they are putting their trust in their elected officials. They want them to represent the interests of the village, for the betterment of the community as a whole. It is impossible to please all the people all time but it is not impossible to provide honest, pragmatic, well thought out decisions by elected officials. This means that elected officials need to have the time and the desire to do their homework, ask the right questions, listen and learn and remain unbiased. Residents want to trust that their elected officials have their best interests at heart. While sometimes necessary, I believe closed door meetings should be a very last resort and used only when absolutely necessary. It can make residents feel like they are being left out of the loop and denied the opportunity to contribute valuable information to the decision making process.
