Stuart Beeston is running his campaign for town councillor on the idea of a well-run municipality borrowing qualities from successful business.
He suggests both a municipality and a business should “offer quality products and services, exceptional customer service, inviting and comfortable surroundings where all are welcome, realistic and effective budgeting and controlling costs, and targeted marketing and promotion.”
Beeston was born in Scotland and raised in Hamilton. He later lived in Toronto and Oakville. He and his wife have had a home in Collingwood for the last four years. They are not currently living in Collingwood full-time, but plan to make Collingwood their full-time home in December.
His education is in community planning and urban studies, which he used in his career as a planner for Toronto and Mississauga. Later he became a restaurant owner/operator and consultant.
“With a background in community planning as well as a strong business acumen, I have a solid appreciation of the challenges for both the community and businesses,” said Beeston. “With these experiences, I think I bring a unique perspective and appreciation to the challenges.”
The councillor candidate proposes strengthening local small business in order to support a stronger economy and more prosperous population in town. He also suggests implementing a plan that will encourage vibrancy downtown.
“Mandate a mixed-use strategy to provide for residential, office and retail/ commercial uses,” he said. “Facilitate good land use and transportation strategies. Encourage and facilitate outdoor uses, pedestrians, cyclists and other forms of transportation.”
Beeston further explained the town should facilitate and encourage employment opportunities for both large and small businesses.
In addition to an increase in places to work, Beeston said Collingwood needs more places to live.
“The community needs more housing that is affordable for young adults, young families and the rapidly growing elderly population,” he said. “Consider incentives to developers, increased densities in the appropriate areas to encourage more housing options and contain urban sprawl.”
And speaking of incentives, Beeston proposes red carpet instead of red tape at town hall. He suggested council and town staff should be looking at other municipalities for ideas to better serve the people of Collingwood.
“Help town hall become more efficient,” said Beeston. “Allow public servants the time and permission to find better ways to deliver services to business and residents. Look to other jurisdictions for best practices.”
Beeston said he has travelled “extensively” throughout his life and has therefore seen what other cities, towns and villages have to offer, and that experience has added to his perspective.
His platform also includes a point on what he calls “disadvantaged groups.” Beeston said the town should participate in and facilitate a strategy to assist those in the community who are less fortunate.
“Further the good work already being done in the community by the likes of Home Horizon and others,” said Beeston.
Beeston is one of 19 candidates for councillor in the Oct. 22 municipal election. Voters may choose up to seven candidates on their ballots for councillor.
The Collingwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a meet-the-candidates event for councillor candidates on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Collingwood Legion. Doors open at 6 p.m. The last event was at capacity and some residents were turned away from the meeting.
The chamber will be posing questions received by members of the public to each of the candidates during the meeting. Click here if you have a question you’d like included.
