GuelphToday asked candidates running for council in the Oct. 22 municipal election to provide a small bio and their platform and/or reason for running.
THE PERSON: My name is Eli Ridder and I am a council candidate for Guelph’s Ward 4. I grew up in Ward 4 and because of this I feel a special connection to the community we have. As a journalist with experience in communications and market research in Guelph, Burlington, and Toronto, I will bring a much needed new perspective to council matters. I have the skills to ensure all evidence and important factors are considered to make sure council is always working for your benefit.
I am running for council because I want to make life better for my neighbours here in Ward 4. While talking to hundreds of people at their doors, I keep hearing stories of Guelphites falling through the cracks, confusion over what our councillors are doing with their vote and concern for the future of our ward and city.
I share your concerns and I know I can be your candidate because I will have the energy to be reliable and fight for your needs and desires at city hall. My experience will allow me to be discerning and thoughtful. I can work with any council member that puts your best interests ahead of private agendas.
I will be a councillor that truly aims to put residents first. Join me on October 22 and together we can spend smart, create transparency and accountability, improve our infrastructure, and plan for the future.
Contact Info:
(226) 501 4440
@VoteRidder on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
THE PLATFORM: My platform offers solutions to concerns residents in Ward 4 and across Guelph have expressed to me online, at doors and over many years. I pledge to put Residents First as I work toward a better future.
As your councillor, I will prioritize:
A Healthy Environment
➝ Protect our parks and green spaces, connect our trails and drop single-use plastics at city-owned facilities.
➝ Work to address the causes and impacts of climate change as an immediate priority that can no longer be pushed to the next generation or future city councils.
➝ Support a council resolution to oppose the renewal of Néstle's permit to take water in Aberfoyle because of its severe impact on the City of Guelph.
➝ Ban the sale and use of bottled water in municipal facilities as part of a strategy to eliminate single-use plastic items such as plastic bags and straws.
➝ Focus on low-carbon transportation infrastructure to all amenities and residences--planning for the future.
Putting Residents First
➝ Fight against uncontrolled sprawl, protect our neighbours and cut through a developer-first agenda.
➝ Tackle the opioid crisis locally by advocating for support of person-centred solutions backed by research.
➝ Make neighbourhood safety a priority by putting in traffic-calming solutions such as speed bumps and traffic islands where necessary on the advice of residents and staff.
Good Governance
➝ Value for your taxes: Spend wisely on services and programs that benefit you.
➝ Build bridges at council, collaborating to get things done for your benefit.
➝ Motion for city hall to deliver interactive quarterly reports on the status of programs, services, initiatives and the strategic plans.
➝ Run weekly ward blog to updates residents, hold weekly live streams, and have bi-monthly town hall meetings for residents to meet me in person.
➝ Create transparency for our Ward through both physical and digital means and establish clear communications at city council: Know where taxpayer money is going.
A United Community
➝ Improve transit by pushing for a grid-like system, Rapid Bus Transit and longer hours of service on Sundays.
➝ Bring in smart transit cards & create a Riders’ Charter.
➝ Take results of the major transit review happening during the fall of 2018 and apply it to carefully considered, efficient solutions.
➝ Support the redevelopment of Baker Street downtown including the new main library, as well as a car-free St. George’s Square when it comes up.
➝ Stand up for affordable, low-cost housing in the form of new innovations such as tiny homes, and spreading out the initiative across the city.
➝ Adjust our bylaws to allow for tiny homes to be built that work on a contingency program aimed at getting those in low-income to move up over time.
➝ Push to create a modern sexual health education community program based on expert and parent input to fill the current gap left by the province.
➝ Push to create a modern Indigenous history program in partnership with local Indigenous leaders and experts to inform the public in the spirit of reconciliation.
Visit my full platform at VoteRidder.ca/platform.
