MY COMMITMENT
Open government is not simply about publishing agendas and minutes. Residents should be able to understand what Council is deciding, why decisions are being made and what happens after they raise a concern.
If elected Mayor, I will work with Council to:
- Create regular office hours that allow constituents to book a brief appointment directly with the Mayor. Sessions will be offered at Town Hall in Ward 1 and the Port Hope Community Hub in Ward 2.
- Hold quarterly public Open Houses, including sessions in both Ward 1 and Ward 2 at suitable municipal locations. Residents will be able to ask questions and receive updates on municipal finances, major projects and Council priorities.
- Explain major decisions in plain language, including the financial implications, alternatives considered and reasons for Council’s decision.
- Provide a clear outcome following delegations to Council. Residents and community organizations should know whether their request was approved, referred to staff, deferred or declined, and what happens next.
- Provide clear follow-up when a concern requires further review. Residents should be told where the matter has been directed and what the next step will be. Routine service requests, matters outside municipal authority and questions already answered will be directed to the appropriate service, government or published information.
- Use closed meetings only when confidentiality is necessary and permitted by law. Wherever possible, Council should provide a meaningful public summary afterward while respecting legal and privacy requirements.
And where will you find all of this?
“OPEN PORT HOPE”
A prominent, dedicated page on the municipal website. Using clear drop-down sections and direct links, residents will be able to book an appointment with the Mayor, find upcoming Open Houses, sign up for municipal updates, read plain-language explanations of major decisions, review delegation outcomes, find follow-up information and access public summaries from closed meetings, all in one place.
A Mayor cannot impose these changes alone. I will bring them forward, work to secure Council’s support and do everything within my authority to put them into practice.
Openness and transparency should be evident in how Town Hall operates—not simply promised during an election.
David Stambrook for Mayor, Port Hope ’26
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