Tait running for newly created position on Woodstock council

Deb Tait. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

Tait was first elected to Woodstock City Council in 2003 and has served continuously for more than two decades. Now, she is running for the Deputy Mayor/County Councillor role.

“I have two adult sons, Alex and Will, and like most families in this economy, they live at home but both work. I work full time at Cowan Insurance Brokers in Commercial Insurance. It's a very challenging and sometimes stressful career, but I really enjoy the job, and I have great clients. In any spare time, I have three dogs; two are rescues and their puppy, so I spend a lot of time walking. I also like to garden.”

Tait said she is seeking re-election because she is very concerned about the direction Woodstock and Oxford County have been going regarding taxes.

“When first elected, the councils I was on were very careful about adding new programs and buildings without adding a large increase to the taxpayer. We were able to expand the trail system, adding numerous parks with equipment, splash pads, a water park, and increasing the funds for repairs to roads and infrastructure. The public needs to understand that anything we add gets added to their tax bill.”

She added tax increases at the county level are not sustainable going forward.

“I am only one vote, and at county it has only been myself, the Woodstock mayor and Tillsonburg mayor voting against all these increases. The three of us also voted against the increase in bag tags. There seems to be a lack of understanding among some elected officials that the public can not sustain constant increases. The cost of everyday groceries, utilities and gas is hard enough in this economy, and the property tax increases need to stop.”

Tair said that instead of spending millions of dollars on Streetscape, the city could have had a new outdoor pool and Sunday bus service and put money into reserves for an ice pad.

“We had a price of $500,000 to replace all the interlocking bricks downtown, which would have gone a long way instead of what was done. Given the state of the economy, expanded bus service will be needed, but we could not do it before because too much was spent on other items. As the swim group pointed out, having another pool is very important to the citizens of Woodstock. We live near a large body of water, and children need to have access to swimming lessons and what better option than to have an outdoor pool in the summer months.”

She added the current pool is at capacity, but the city doesn’t have the population numbers to be able to afford another one. Tait pointed out the need for a third fire hall due to population growth, but her biggest concern is the future homelessness centre at the former YMCA.

“It is going to cost millions to renovate and move the current 50 beds to the new location. It needs to be completely reevaluated with the new faces who will be at the county table. We have a wait list of more than 1,000 people for affordable housing. We need to focus on how money can best be spent and the number of people we can help.”

Tait said if elected, voters can be sure she will be cautious with their hard-earned money.

“I have always said it should be just as hard to spend it as it is to earn it. I am only one vote, but I do my homework and am always ready to stand behind my vote and debate why I am voting the way I am. All councils should have healthy debate on issues. The public elects seven different people with seven different views. I will be the first to admit I am not always right, and through debate, it allows everyone to hear other views.”

She said there have been issues she has brought to council where, through debate, she has realized there is another way to look at them and changed her mind.

“I live in Woodstock, raised my family in Woodstock, and my family is still here. I am concerned about the direction we are headed in and want a city where we have affordable recreation facilities and great public spaces, all at an affordable cost to the residents who live here.”

Tait added economic tough times aren’t going away anytime soon.

“It hurts everyone from the young to the old, and as elected officials we have a role to play in making sure we look out for everyone and tax money is spent responsibly. Look at voting records and study those running. This level of politics always has the lowest turnout for voting-it is the level that has the most impact on day-to-day lives.”