I think it is fair to state that we all take great pride in our Municipality. We all love to live here otherwise we would probably pack up and go elsewhere. It is probably also fair to state that some of us still feel that we did not amalgamate according to our best hopes and desires. However, here we are, this is our Municipality, the Municipality of Meaford. Including such places as Bognor and Leith and bordering West on Highway 10. We call this territory "The Municipality of Meaford" and we have a corporation, organized to run this Community.

The first priority is of course to maintain our assets, to look after the roads, our parks, our amenities and institutions. To do this properly, we must continually search for better ways of doing these jobs. My past experiences have shown that there is always a better way. Secondly, we must revisit, every so often, the question of what amenities and services we must or should provide in order to have a "healthy" community. Thirdly, we have an obligation to continue to address the question of economic development. Our community has a serious balance of payment problem. Most of our needed goods and services are being imported from our neighboring communities, making it difficult for our already weak commercial base to compete. With the importation of these goods and services comes of course the exportation of workplaces, increasing the lack of employment opportunities. A healthy mix for municipal tax revenues is 40% from the commercial / industrial sector and 60% from residential property owners. In our Municipality nearly 90% of revenue comes from homeowners. Our taxes are too high to be able to call our Municipality " healthy". We must all work together positively to try and find solutions. Our Municipal employees must also have a work environment, which offers incentives to assist in finding equitable solutions.

A positive, proactive attitude from all members of our community is needed now.

As a member of Council for the Municipality of Meaford, I would have the opportunity to contribute to the solutions for a better Meaford, this, based on my years of management training and experience.

For a better Meaford, I remain
Your neighbour
Gunter Neumann

About myself:

I was born, raised and educated in Hamburg, Germany. I came to Canada in 1958 and followed a career in Data Processing. I furthered my knowledge through numerous management and financial studies and received a certificate in Data Management in 1967.

Throughout my career, I have held positions as General Manager, Managing Director and Vice President, Marketing for Major Financial Institutions and the Plastic Industry. I have also successfully owned and operated my own businesses.

Since 1973 I have owned property and enjoyed living in the Meaford Area. I have been involved in a variety of Municipal projects which have given me an excellent insight into the workings and philosophies of Meaford's aims and objectives.

I am married to Barbara (nee Dougherty) and I am retired. However I have kept active with various volunteer tasks such as helping the organization committee for the Renaissance Meaford Festival of Fun, the Scarecrow Invasion, the adopt a Garden program and others.

My hobbies are painting, writing, sculpting and training my "best friend" Piper.

I enjoy the analysis of problems and the development of innovative solutions. I foster participatory management.

My services to the community:

Established the Meaford Economic Development Commission, received Financial Post National Municipal Promotion Award, Organized the Meaford Treasure Hunt, organized the Meaford Destination, Wellness Conference, organized the "Beyond the Municipal Act", conference for Councilors, provided the official gift to the Military, for the freedom of the Town celebrations (a painting of Town Hall), organized and managed the creation of a Meaford Strategic Plan, prepared a report to possibly attract the location for a "Super Jail", participated in the creation of the Georgian Triangle Strategic Plan, was a Member of the Georgian Trail Board of Management, a Member of the Meaford and District Chamber of Commerce, a Member of the Meaford BIA, a Member of the Meaford Planning Committee, the Chairman of the Waste Management Committee, the Chairman of the Meaford Community Development Committee, a Member of the Economic Developers of Ontario Organization, a Member of the Healthy Communities Coalition, became Citizen of the Year award recipient, and recently became the recipient of the Peter Francis Memorial award, created the K-9 Police Services Monument, the 911 Memorial, the Personal Assistance Dogs Monument and a bronze statue of Beautiful Joe, all at Beautiful Joe Park, I participate in the adopt a garden program, I was a member of Meaford Town Council for 8 years, I provided window paintings for the Meaford Museum and I donated 100 prints of Meaford Town Hall Building.

Your support will be greatly appreciated. Please vote on November 13, 2006