Why are you running?
The next four years will be critical for Chatham-Kent and I would like to be part of the team helping move our community forward.
I have been frustrated at some of the ‘anti’ campaigning and finger-pointing I’ve been seeing, and while I can understand where some of it’s coming from, I also know the next council will have to work together. I am confident that I can bring a calm and steady voice to the table and work with whomever is elected.
What are the two biggest issues for the next term of council?
The lack of affordable housing in C-K is one of the most pressing and difficult issues in front of us, and it’s one that will only get worse over the next four years.
The ever-ballooning budget must be reined in, which can only be done with an acknowledgement by municipal administration and staff that it’s absolutely crucial for C-K’s long-term stability. Council can’t and shouldn’t micromanage staff, but there must be a shared vision which sees fiscal responsibility as the top priority.
What do you hope to achieve if elected?
It feels like an almost impossible task, but I really want to help residents across Chatham-Kent come together and help quell some of the anger towards and mistrust of council. I haven’t always agreed with some of the decisions made, but it’s crucial that all residents of C-K feel seen and are respected.
What skills and experience do you bring?
I have covered municipal politics on and off as a journalist since I was 22 years old, as well as provincial and federal politics. Until recently, I was also a local columnist who sometimes touched on some of the issues at play in this election. I’ve also lived and worked in both rural and urban communities and understand the unique advantages and challenges of each.
Are you a fan of Donald Trump? No.
