I was born and raised in Blenheim by my father Art (resides in Chatham), a Dutch Immigrant, my mother Karen (passed away at 48) from Ridgetown. I have lived in Chatham for 30 years as single mom with four boys and facing challenges in life as a team.
Chatham’s first female police officer, I retired after 30 years.
I volunteer with Goodfellows, Big Sisters, Soup Kitchens, Cops for Cancer, Children’s Safety Village, Parent Council, Shop with a Cop and whenever able to help someone in need.
I am new to municipal politics but I care deeply about this municipality and all of its residents. Affordable housing, infrastructure, accessibility, economic development and mental health and addiction programs are all of importance.
I would like to make a POSITIVE CHANGE. Be PROUD TO BE FROM CHATHAM KENT!
- Do you support increasing funding for infrastructure given the fact several culverts and bridges – including the Third Street Bridge – have had emergency issues and closures recently?
Yes. Need roads and bridges to be in good shape and safe to travel on. Businesses depend on having access not only to deliveries but to customers. Residents depend on them for travelling.
- Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff and/or services?
Reducing staff could be looked at but I do not believe any services should be cut. Most services have already been reduced in many areas.
- Would you support shifting some services to the private sector if those services could be done more efficiently that way?
Yes. I believe that this may be something to look at in some areas as it has proven to be cost saving.
- Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner?
Yes.
- Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of council members?
Yes. If a reduction is proven that it would still give us a fair representation of all areas and populations.
- Should the municipality try to land an Ontario Cannabis Store as soon as possible?
Yes. The legalization is coming whether we agree with it or not. If it could bring jobs into our area I think we should definitely try to obtain it.
- Should council be more proactive in terms of working with landowners with contaminated wells?
Yes. I believe everyone in the Municipality should have access to clean and safe water.
- Some critics say the municipal building department is an impediment to development in C-K. Do you agree?
Yes. I believe that sometime the bureaucratic red tape is a barrier that is applied in some cases and not others. I continue to research in this area to further understand this aspect of the Municipality. I believe the building department should work with businesses and assist as much as possible.
- Do you believe Chatham needs a new twin-pad arena?
No not at this time. There are more important issues to be looked at and worked on. A twin pad arena or sports complex anywhere in the Municipality would have to be assisted in funding by Federal and Provincial if applicable and private sector funding.
- Should the municipality cut back on its expenditures for overseas economic development efforts?
Yes. I believe with technology the way it is, a lot of travelling to other areas could be reduced. The internet can be utilized for conferences between parties and can also view via Google maps what an area looks like that a prospective investor may be looking at
- Should municipal councilors ever be forced to go the Freedom of Information route when seeking municipal information?
I believe that if what they require falls under the requirement of a Freedom of Information request then one must be required.
- Should members of the public have more access to municipal information without having to resort to an FOI?
I would have to say it depends on what information is being requested. I believe if it pertains to the city and anything discussed or decided upon in an open-door meeting then they should be allowed this information.
