Hi Christy and Perry,

Thanks for reaching out and for the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to ask these questions.

One of the reasons I decided to run for council is because I think we need to get back to focusing on the things that matter to the people living here. For me, that's maintaining our roads, being responsible with tax dollars, protecting our services and making sure residents have a say in what's happening in their community.

I've gone through your questions, so here's where I stand.

1. UN Sustainable Development Goals

I believe the Town's priorities should come from the people who live here, not from an outside organization. That being said, I'd want to know exactly what Huntsville has committed to and how those commitments are affecting local decisions before introducing a motion to remove anything. If something isn't benefiting our community, then I think we need to question why we're doing it.

2. Agenda 2030 and municipal reporting

I don't see anything wrong with asking for that information. Residents should know what policies we're following and why. I'd be open to having staff provide that information to council and the public. My only caution would be making sure we're not creating a bunch of extra work and expense for taxpayers in the process.

3. Municipal memberships and partnerships

Absolutely. If we're paying membership fees or making commitments to outside organizations, I think taxpayers deserve to know what they're getting for their money.

I'm not against partnerships. Some can be really beneficial. But we should be able to explain what they cost, what we've committed to and how they actually benefit Huntsville.

4. Conditions attached to grants

I agree with this in principle. Just because someone offers us funding doesn't automatically mean it's a good deal.

We need to understand what we're agreeing to, especially if it means additional costs or obligations down the road. At the same time, I wouldn't want to see us turn away funding that could genuinely help our community. It's about doing our homework before making those decisions.

5. Smart and connected infrastructure

I think it's reasonable to know what technology the Town is using, what it's costing us and what information is being collected.

I'm actually interested in how technology could help municipalities operate more efficiently and potentially save taxpayers money. But there needs to be accountability, and we obviously have to be careful about privacy and security.

6. Artificial intelligence and human accountability

I agree that there needs to be a person accountable for decisions that affect residents.

I see some real opportunities for AI and technology to reduce administrative work and make municipal services more efficient. But I don't believe we should be handing decisions about people's property, permits or rights over to a computer without proper human oversight.

Technology should make government work better for people, not make it harder for them to get answers.

7. Cash payments and non-digital alternatives

Yes, I agree with keeping reasonable alternatives available.

We live in a rural community, and not everyone has reliable internet or is comfortable doing everything online. I don't think people should be disadvantaged because they prefer to pay in cash or speak to someone in person.

We should be making services easier to access, not harder.

8. Local priorities and the Declaration of Office

I completely agree that local priorities need to come first. That's really the foundation of why I'm running.

As for the oath, Ontario has a legally required Declaration of Office, and that's something I'd be obligated to take. But regardless of the wording of that declaration, I know who I'm there to represent. It's the residents of Huntsville.

I've said throughout my campaign that I want to be a voice of the community, not just a voice to the community.

I don't believe a councillor should go into office thinking they have all the answers. I want to hear what residents are experiencing, ask the right questions, make responsible decisions and keep people informed along the way.

I also think we need to be careful about adding more policies, committees and reporting requirements without considering what they're costing us. Every dollar the Town spends ultimately comes from taxpayers, and I think we need to remember that.

Thanks again for reaching out. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts, and I'm always happy to have a conversation about how we can make local government work better for the people it serves.

All the best,

Tyler Ellis