At the time of the anticipated merger, Goulbourn had significant cash reserves from development charges, part of which was for a future sports complex.

Controversy arose when she worked to empty those cash reserves by building the sports complex when the merger became inevitable.

On city council the most important issue that faced Stavinga was what to do with Munster's sewage.

Munster has sewage lagoons and spray field treatment that arguably fails to meet provincial standards.

Stavinga supported building an expensive pipeline to Ottawa's central treatment plant.