Four years ago, I was elected in a by-election as a municipal councillor in my hometown of Bradford West Gwillimbury, a rapidly growing suburban and rural community on the northernmost edge of the Greater Toronto Area. I ran because I saw things that needed fixing and thought I could help. Now, as I look back on my first four years, I’m struck by how much can be accomplished at the local level when you focus on getting things done and making a positive difference for the people you serve.

The work of municipal government isn’t flashy, but it matters deeply. It’s about the roads you drive on, the parks your kids play in, the public spaces that shape your community and the services folks rely on every day. Over the past four years, my work has been grounded in four key priorities: revitalizing the older end of town, protecting the environment, supporting our most vulnerable and carefully stewarding tax dollars.

In municipal politics, the changes people notice most are the ones closest to home. For my ward in the older east end of town, that’s meant significant investments in roads, sidewalks, parks and public spaces. We’ve repaired and replaced a quarter of the roads and sidewalks in the ward, improving safety and accessibility. We’ve upgraded parks with new basketball and pickle-ball courts, playgrounds, and trails. And we’ve taken big steps on transformative projects like the $18-million Main Street transformation to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown, and a new canal and riverfront trail system.

These are the kinds of investments that make a tangible difference in people’s daily lives. They’re also the kinds of projects that require collaboration, planning and sustained effort over years to bring to life.

Local governments are often on the frontlines of addressing environmental challenges, and Bradford is no exception. Over the past four years, we’ve planted over 1,200 trees, secured $24 million for the largest reduction in phosphorous pollution in Lake Simcoe’s history and launched a Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Master Plan. We’ve also completed innovative projects like a snow and road salt filtration facility to protect local waterways.

These efforts reflect a broader truth: the decisions we make at the local level—about land use, water management, and public infrastructure—are critical to tackling climate change and protecting the natural world.

Local government is also where policies meet people. It’s where the need for affordable housing becomes a question of whether a senior can stay in their community or a young family can find their first home. Over the past four years, we’ve helped deliver a 50-unit affordable housing complex and a 90-unit assisted living building for seniors, alongside a broader range of housing options, such as condos, apartments, in-fill townhouses and bungalofts. We’ve also opened a new youth centre, upgraded our seniors’ leisure centre and worked to strengthen food security through our local food bank, in a new, state-of-the-art facility we created through a wing of a public school we renovated into a community centre.

These efforts are about more than bricks and mortar; they’re about creating a community where everyone belongs.

At the municipal level, we operate on tight budgets and close scrutiny. Over the past four years, we’ve kept tax rates low—averaging 2.67% annually—while paying down $60 million in debt. At the same time, we’ve secured over $49 million in grants from other levels of government to fund key projects, from park upgrades to major environmental initiatives.

Equally important, we’ve worked to build trust and transparency. From hosting town halls to responding quickly to residents’ concerns, I’ve made it a priority to keep people informed and engaged.

As a councillor, I’ve seen firsthand how local government shapes the places we call home. It’s about the small, steady improvements that make a town more livable, sustainable and inclusive. And it’s about recognizing that the decisions we make now will set the foundation for generations to come.

Looking back on these past four years, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished—not because it’s been easy, but because it’s made a difference. Local government isn’t glamorous, but it’s vital. It’s where we get things done.