Hello everyone and thank you for being here tonight.
My name is Barb Rybiak. I am running because Ward 2 deserves a Councillor who listensā¦ actsā¦ and delivers real results.
Pelham is growing fast. But true leadership means making sure that growth works for our residentsāNOT against us. As a retired schoolteacher, I bring real-world experience – common sense- and a history of standing up for families. In the classroom, I learned to listen first, look at the facts and advocate fiercely for others. I am running to be your fresh voice on Council.
Our community faces major challenges. I am focused on three core areas:
Firstā¦ we must lower the tax burden. Our families are dealing with high property taxes. I will carefully look over the town budget to stop wasteful spending. Your premium tax dollars must go directly into essential servicesālike fixing our roads and upgrading our infrastructure.
Secondā¦ we must solve the Highway 20 gridlock. It is a major quality-of-life issue. Each day, our residents waste precious time idling in traffic, instead of being at home with their families. This gridlock forces speeding onto our local collector roads. I will push the Region to synchronize traffic lights and fix key intersections. On that, we also need to rethink the closing of Pelham Street for Summerfest. Let’s consider strategicā¦ public-private sectorā¦ partnershipsā¦ to host events so this fun festival doesn’t continue to paralyze our roads or hurt our important tax-paying Pelham Streetā¦ Highway 20ā¦ brick-and-mortar ālocalā businesses.
Thirdā¦ we must put the basic town services and environment first. We cannot keep stacking density into Ward 2 without upgrading our water and road systems first. Aggressive infilling is also destroying the beautiful tree canopy which defines our community. Once those mature trees are cut downā¦ they are gone for a generation. NO new major infill developments should be approved unless our town can handle the traffic.
ON election day, you have a choice. You can vote for the status quo or you can choose a dedicated, fresh voice for Ward 2. We need a Councillor who answers strictly TO you, the residents. As YOUR voice on council, I am ready to step up and do the hard work for Pelham.
Thank you ā¦ and I respectfully ask for your vote.