Dave Cole

Property taxes need to stay affordable, and every dollar collected should be treated with care.

I believe tax increases above inflation should be the exception, not the default. Before asking residents to pay more, council should be looking for efficiencies, grants, partnerships, sponsorships, better use of technology, and smarter ways to deliver services.

There will be times when major spending is necessary—especially for safety, failing infrastructure, or projects that deliver clear long-term value. In those cases, I will look closely at the cost, the benefit, the alternatives, and the financial risk before supporting the expense.

Good financial management also means planning ahead, maintaining healthy reserves, and protecting the municipality’s ability to deal with future needs.

My goal is simple: keep taxes affordable, spend carefully, and make sure taxpayers get real value for their money.

Thorndale is growing, and I want that growth to better reflect the needs of the people who already live here.

One area that deserves more attention is housing for seniors. Long wait lists and a lack of suitable local options can make it difficult for older residents to downsize or find housing that meets their changing needs without leaving the community.

This is something I’m dealing with personally as well. I’m currently building an accessible accessory dwelling unit, so I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to create practical housing options that can support people as they age and allow families to stay closer together.

I would like to see Thorndale encourage a broader mix of housing, including smaller homes, accessible units, and other options that give seniors more choice while allowing them to remain close to family, friends, services, and the community they know.

At the same time, growth needs to be planned carefully. Roads, water, wastewater, parks, recreation, and other services have to keep pace, and developers should carry a fair share of the costs and risks associated with new development.

My goal is to see Thorndale grow in a way that gives seniors more choices, supports families, and strengthens the community for the long term.

Strong communities are built around the places and services that bring people together.

In Thorndale, I want to focus on the facilities and public spaces residents actually use. That includes continuing to improve local parks and playgrounds, making sure the community centre reflects what residents have said they want, and supporting the local organizations and events that create a sense of belonging.

I also want to see attention given to Wellburn’s playground and courts. These are important community spaces, and I would like to see them maintained and improved so they continue to serve families, youth, and residents of all ages.

Downtown Thorndale is another area with real potential. With new commercial investment already happening, there is an opportunity to build on that momentum through the Community Improvement Plan, better streetscapes, improved pedestrian connections, and support for existing businesses.

For me, this is about making practical improvements that people can see and use every day, while preserving the character that makes our communities feel welcoming and connected.

My goal is to strengthen the places that bring people together and make Thorndale and Wellburn even better places to live.

Rural life is a big part of what makes this area special, and it needs to be respected as our communities grow.

That starts with protecting productive farmland and making sure settlement boundaries are changed only through careful long-term planning, not through one-off development decisions. Growth should happen where it makes sense and where infrastructure can support it.

I also believe we need to support farmers and recognize the realities of living in an agricultural community. Farming comes with seasonal noise, odour, machinery, and slow-moving equipment. Those are normal parts of rural life, and our policies should reflect that.

At the same time, rural roads, drainage, bridges, and other infrastructure need to remain safe and functional for the people and businesses that rely on them every day.

My goal is to protect the agricultural character of our area while making sure rural residents have the infrastructure and support they need.