Dear Friends & Neighbours,

I commit to continuing my record of fiscal responsibility by constantly assessing programs for efficiency and effectiveness while keeping tax increases to a minimum and maintaining the services you have come to expect.

I commit to continue to engage our many hard working, volunteer-driven Ratepayer Associations and the community to evaluate the many infill development proposals with the top priority being to maintain our existing stable residential neighbourhoods. My knowledge and experience will be crucial as we continue to deal with the many current and future applications. It is critical that your representative on Council be fully familiar with the City’s Official Plan, Zoning By-laws, District Plans, etc. I continually send a very strong message to these developers – work with me and the communities I represent. Those that have chosen not to heed my advice have historically lost at the Ontario Municipal Board, the final decision maker.

I commit to continue to be proactive with respect to the revitalization of our waterfront. During the last 4 years, Council has spent 16.5 million on waterfront projects. The proposed budget for the next 10 years is 17.5 million. With the communities input and support, we can develop a waterfront which will be the envy of the world.

I commit to continue to develop a plan now known as ‘Inspiration Lakeview’ for the Ontario Power Generation lands. My vision is a people place, mixed housing forms including housing for first-time home buyers, vistas to our lake, a public waterfront that has year round recreational activities and a solid employment base to support the residential component. This visionary action from the City’s Strategic Plan demonstrates my commitment to making Our Future Mississauga a reality. This on-going process will require someone who has a good working relationship with both our MPP and MP as it relates to buy-in for our vision and funding of this brownfield site. My record speaks for itself.

I commit to continue to advocate for safe neighbourhoods. We currently enjoy one of the lowest crime rates for a large City in Canada. We have highly effective crime prevention programs and first class emergency services. I will continue to work with Peel Police, by-law and crime prevention staff to keep our streets, parks and schools safe for everyone.

I commit to continuing Council’s quest for improved transit services. The City has committed funding in the order of $60 million for the Bus Rapid Transit which will be up and running in 2012, but this is just a start. I recognize we cannot solve our gridlock problems on the back of our local tax bills. I support whole-heartedly our decision to implement higher order transit – first and foremost on Hurontario St. from Lakeshore Rd. to Brampton. We must continue to lobby our Provincial and Federal counterparts to be part of the solution GTA wide.

I commit to ensuring that the recently passed Cycle Master Plan is implemented. When the Cycling Master Plan is fully implemented, it will provide an integrated multi-modal approach to transportation throughout the City connecting destinations and placing 95% of Mississauga residents within one kilometre of a primary cycling route. This includes a bike path along the Hydro right of way which will allow access to our waterfront.

I commit to continuing my very positive working relationship with my colleagues on Council. I am so very proud to say that I’ve never lost a motion I’ve brought forward on behalf of the Ward 1 residents in 16 years. This speaks to the mutual respect between myself and my peers. At the end of the day, it’s you, the residents of Ward 1 who elected me and my allegiance will continue to be to you, and not to any one individual on Council.

I was very fortunate to have been able to raise my two daughters, Lisa and Julie in Mississauga and Ward 1. I am happy that my daughters and son-in-law Andy have chosen to raise my grandchildren, Summer and Gabriel here as well.

Having worked for you at the City of Mississauga for 32 plus years, I can say with confidence that I have earned the respect of residents, ratepayer groups, business associations and my colleagues on Council. This is especially important as it relates to air quality, development of the waterfront and the merging of old and new residential and commercial communities.

Ward 1 is one of the most complex and challenging communities in this City. On one hand, I am thrilled that so many people want to locate in this vibrant community – on the other hand – this presents many challenges as it relates to infill development and maintaining the existing character of our neighbourhoods. I enjoy working with all volunteer organizations to deliver the very best services and re-development projects to our communities.

I am committed to strong fiscal management and an open budget process. As our City matures we need to have leaders that have the knowledge, commitment and experience it takes for us to continue to succeed. There will be challenging days ahead of us and I am the candidate that will be able to show the leadership to guide us through these challenges.

I hope I can continue to count on your support.

Kindest regards,
Councillor Carmen Corbasson