Introduction: Grace Ann Bourne

Government 2025 Council Candidates
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Hi all,

I’m running for Village Council and I’m happy to introduce myself on this forum and answer any questions. I hope to be a resource for residents and work collaboratively should I receive villagers’ votes of confidence.

If I don’t know immediately the answer to a question, I’ll find out! Thanks :folded_hands:

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Thank you for joining us here and for your willingness to engage directly with residents! We appreciate your collaborative approach and look forward to learning more about your vision for the village.

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Thanks, John, for creating this space.

I’d like to preface my ideas with the understanding that there is a lot to learn and the details are important for each item before the Village Council. That being said, here is my approach to a few priorities:

  • Everyone agrees we need to preserve our natural environment and the unique character of our village. How the levy money is divided and spent between the GMLC and the Village is crux of the issue. What is the best use and division of the levy money? On this, I have much to learn, but my instinct is to look at the language and intent of the levy and stay true to the wishes of the voters who approved it.

  • Budget Planning: While the Village has a fiscal cushion as of now, it would be prudent to undertake “best/worse case” scenario planning for all contingencies for the future, should revenues change, etc., before taking on new village expenses. As a resident, I like the idea of not paying out of pocket for waste / refuse, for example, but I would not enter into that decision (or others like it) without a cost analysis next to a five-year (ish?) revenue projection.

  • Similarly, I like the idea of partnering with the Community Partnership on Aging, which I think is a great local organization. Council would have to weigh costs / benefits like any other program and get a better sense of need from our GM senior community.

As I stated in the Candidate Forum, I’m happy to volunteer in this capacity and like to think I would bring a measured approach. I also come from a perspective that everyone has good intentions, despite our occasional failings in tone and delivery. Regardless, it is important to me that Village Council is efficient and productive. That’s all for now!

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