" George McDermott On Youth "

I have always been a big supporter of youth programs in our community and have taken an active role over the past 48 years as a volunteer in many different areas.
I am a former President of the Greater Fort Erie Minor Ball Association , a position I held for five years. Our board was proud to sponsor many tournaments in our town including the Ontario Grand Championships  two years running ,one of those resulted in The Fort Erie Midget Girls winning the Gold Medal .
For the past 22 years I have served as a YMCA Basketball coach .It goes without saying that coaching youth basketball has been my joy and passion having coached over 30 teams .
I have always been one to teach my players more than the sport I am coaching. I teach them that focus and discipline means everything in life whether you are playing sports .working in the classroom or working  at your job. I teach them to be generous with each other and to give back when they have the opportunity and I teach them to be their best when they play whether they win or lose .
                                         I have a great optimism about youth in our community . The young people that I have been in contact with  over the years have been respectful to me and each other and volunteer in many areas of our Town . The majority of them are either in or going to University  now and I gladly write letters of support  for scholarships or  part time jobs they are looking for because they are focused on getting somewhere.
                                       We are blessed with many programs for youth in this town , whether it's the YMCA or The Boys and Girls Club , after school programs , sports groups ,or the Cadet Corps there is lots of opportunity for young people to socialize and thrive in their community. I thank all the volunteers that make these programs a reality because they are making a big difference in all of our lives.
                                      We need to be focused on creating an economic climate over the next number of years that will make it easier for our local youth to find employment after college or university right here in Niagara. If elected I will work  with the Mayor and Council , our Regional Councillor along with the Province to see what measures can be taken to improve this  serious situation of youth unemployment. This is just a portion of the " Putting People First Campaign " platform.
 

Growth and Development Part 1 of 2

I must say the more I speak to people in our community, the more I know about their concern that we as a town are not growing quick enough. I also share that view.
It is clear we need to increase our efforts and find new and creative ways to grow our residential tax base .We need new residents to share our tax burden with . Our patient business districts need them to sustain their bottom line . It goes without saying that new residents spur new commercial development and with that comes jobs.
Clearing the pathway to the Canadian Motor Speedway is a huge piece of our economic puzzle .Council must do everything it can to make this development a reality .There are many potential economic spin-offs than can come from this project  that can only bring even more economic opportunities to Fort Erie.
                                          As candidates for council we must know and understand the needs of our local business community .During the by election I attended a meeting with the Premier and business people from all walks of Fort Erie life .Each representative had an opportunity to speak to their different issues . We as a council have to make sure that we follow up with Queens Park on all of those concerns whether that be the high cost  of power , or over regulation .I think its our duty to try and find solutions on each and every issue and I can assure the business community that if I am elected I will follow up and try to find resolutions to those concerns. Eliminating some of these concerns could save companies a great deal of money and possibly free up money for new jobs or expansion.
                                         I am hopeful that we can get fully back on track with negotiations on the New Marina Project  as it's a very important  development for our community. There are many possibilities with this project so I will have a keen eye on the progress being made there , that's for certain.
                                         This is just the first of a series of two post on growth and development .Please look for the second in the series on Saturday evening. It is my campaign motto to " Put People First " which I can assure you are not just hollow words . It is a promise I can keep !

                                        
                                                
                                        

" Working With Business To Find Solutions"

  During the provincial by election I  worked to bring the Premier of Ontario to Fort Erie, to hear the concerns of our local business people. The Premier heard a great deal of the hardships that our local employers have faced over the years ranging from the high  cost of power to over regulation .The Premier was also challenged to cut government red tape that had caused delays in development in Fort Erie.
 If elected I will follow up on the discussions made at that meeting to make sure  that Queens Park makes every effort to work through their issues and helps them with some solid solutions to the problems they face on a daily basis.
 My  campaign is based on " Putting People First " and should I be elected that's exactly what I'll do. We need to make sure our local industries and business people get every advantage they can from the Province of Ontario , so they can grow , so they can continue to be profitable in our community , so they continue to maintain the jobs we now have and increase that number going forward !!
 This campaign is about electing councillors that have the background and experience in making things happen and I certainly know how to do that. On election day Vote For Change and a New Direction. Vote for the candidate that will " Put You First " .Elect George McDermott Your Next Councillor For Ward One !!
 

" PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST "

              ELECT GEORGE MCDERMOTT
                 COUNCILLOR WARD ONE

I will fight to improve our roads and our aging infrastructure. I will look to enhance our public parks to make them more family friendly.
I pledge to be a good steward of the public trust , looking to cut wasteful or unnecessary spending.
My platform is committed to the updating and the implementation of the Bridgeburg Neighborhood Plan. It is clear to me that in doing so we can stimulate growth as well as improve the quality of life for our citizens.
If elected I will work with council and the EDTC to find new and creative ways to grow our tax base .It is without question that we need new residents to share our taxes with and to sustain our business districts.
I will work with council to clear the pathway for the Canadian Motor Speedway as this project will have a huge economic impact on our community. I will also lend whatever support I can to move forward on the Marina Project and the Kinsman Pool also key elements in improving our community .
I am dedicated to " Putting The Needs Of The People First " and these are my first five commitments.

To Join The McDermott Team 
   Email politicialsolutionsniagara@yahoo.ca

To Make An Appointment To Speak With George
Call 905-871-0356 and leave a message
Your call will be answered within an hour

To Donate To The Campaign

Make Cheques Payable To

The George McDermott Campaign
163 Battery St.
Fort Erie Ontario
L2A 3M2

Growth and Development Part 2

I believe it goes without saying that our next council must act as a cohesive unit over the next four years if we are to be successful in moving our community forward economically.
We need to make sure that our planning processes produce long term community benefits and make sure that we are taking advantage of both Federal and Provincial programs that partner with municipalities in the areas of infrastructure . transportation and economic development.
The next council should review the towns economic performance over the past four years with the EDTC so we can have the discussion on the best way to move forward in growing our tax base .There are many candidates registered who could really add to that conversation because of their business background or knowledge of  how the economy works , so I am sure there would be no shortage of positive ideas.
                                           We have to restore the trust of developers and investors in our town council. Over the past four years we have seen developers and business people alike come to council in mass to state their displeasure with the direction this past council has taken .Most of this has fallen on deaf ears. The next council needs to listen , then they need to be responsive ,and then they have to follow through on their commitment. It is clear if business people and developers do not invest in Fort Erie , it's the taxpayer that will pay higher taxes and get little or nothing in return. The next council must repair the damage to this relationship , no question about it.
                                           Over the next weeks and months I will continue to post on a regular basis about the issues that both you and I face every day. I am trying to show you in these posts on how I will " Put People First " if you elect me Councillor in Ward One .Your comments are always welcomed !! Have A Great Summer !!!! George

" Putting People First In Ward One"

Sometime in election campaigns, the simple things we as taxpayers learn to expect from our municipality get totally overlooked. I am sure that will not be the case in the upcoming Ward One race. I am under the assumption that we will see more candidates jump in this race very shortly and let the ideas and the debate begin !!
I know that I will run on a platform of improving our public parks ,and the conditions of our roads in the north end , I believe we have to do better and I will fight for our wards fair share of projects dedicated to improving  both. I believe in neighborhood plans as they were brought about by stakeholders who thought they were taking part in a process that was going to make a positive difference in their community. Neighborhood Plans are meant to glean results , generate progress  and enhance the quality of life  of it's citizens and if elected  I will  pursue to get the Bridgeburg Neighborhood Plan off the shelf and on its way to implementation. I will be a good steward of the public trust , looking to cut waste and unnecessary spending, and always looking for more cost effective ways of doing business. I will continue to have a watchful eye on Fort Erie's healthcare something that I have been involved in for the past number of years. We have worked hard to get the point of the Planning Document for the New Hospital and 2 UCC's and it is my hope that as soon as that document is finished  we can put an all out push to get this built and in a timely fashion.
                                    There are very many issues that we face and I think I have mentioned all of them all on my Campaign Facebook Page. In the next few weeks and days the discussions will begin. I am committed to Putting People First in this campaign and I will govern myself in that fashion. It is my hope that when this campaign is all said and done that you will support my platform and elect me as your councillor.

" The Listening Tour Continues "

   I have spent the past week listening to residents of Ward One who have been more than generous in giving me their insights and thoughts on the upcoming municipal campaign. I have heard the words it's time for a change more often than not and that tells me that this campaign is beginning to draw the interest of the electorate even at this early stage .
  There is so much to consider over the next few months .Many issues will revolve around this campaign and the candidates that have decided to put there name forward. There will be discussions about devising plans on the long term economic growth of this community ,the education of our youth or taking full advantage of Federal and Provincial programs to help replace our aging infrastructure. We will need to be proactive on encouraging the Province to make the new hospital and  2 UCC's a reality , and  urge them to reassess the problems that revolve around our industrial land . We need long term Provincial solutions with regards to funding the Fort Erie Racetrack and should be insisting that we are treated like any other track in Ontario which of course at this time we are not. We need to restore fairness and equity on this issue. This next council will have to restore the faith of investors , developers and business people alike who over the past four years have been to council on more than one occasion stating their displeasure on one issue or another.
  Over the next number of weeks more candidates will come forward for every seat that is available. It is then up to the voter to ask all of the questions that they need to make an informed decision. From what I have heard and seen over the past week , many of the people I have spoke with are already informed and are not afraid to tell you that .
  I have certainly enjoyed the education I have been getting since February as I have learned something new everyday and I suspect that will be the case until the end of the campaign. I will continue to push forward my message that if elected I will `Put People First `in every decision I make as I believe this is the type of leadership that our community needs and wants and has been longing for over the past four years.