GuelphToday asked those running for city council in the Oct. 22 municipal election to supply a brief biography and outline their platform and/or why they are running.
THE PERSON: I have been a Guelph resident for over 27 years. I met my husband, Casey, a firefighter and Guelph Royals’ alum, while still a student at the University of Guelph finishing my degree in psychology and family & child studies and have made this great city my forever home.
I am a mother of two beautiful daughters, CJ and Emily, and one awesome dog, Jack.
I have been a self-employed business owner for 12 years as a virtual office assistant and consultant. I have various certificates in IT, office and project management.
My specialties lie in business development, research, and project management. I have won awards for my clients, most notably in the not-for-profit sector, where my current project is getting youth involved in the skilled trades to help alleviate the crisis our economy is facing in the homebuilding sector. I am an avid volunteer in my community with Habitat for Humanity, Trees for Tots for Guelph Wellington Children’s Foundation, Take a Ride for MacKids, 100 Women Who Care, Sew North, Operation Christmas Child, Earth Day, Community Clean up, Rotary Ribfest and abroad with Builders4Change Humanitarian Build and Dove Mission.
I most recently sat on the parent councils for Arbour Vista Public School and John F. Ross CVI. I am a board member of the Westminster Woods’ Wellington Common Element Corporation (WCEC), member of Ed Video, member of Virtual Assistant Network, member of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and member of the Guelph & District Home Builders’ Association. I have been a past coach for the Guelph Gators’ Girls Softball and more recently as the basketball coach for the U13 Girls’ CYO.
THE PLATFORM: I want to be the change I want to see in the world, lead by example and leave the place better than I found it.
I am running for Ward 6 councillor because we are at a crucial stage of planning with the city and I am able to lend my expertise in this area when it is needed most. So many big projects are in the works and I want to ensure the south end has the right voice on city council. My focus in bringing positive change to south Guelph is this:
- To be a strong voice and representation for south Guelph
- To ensure smart and compatible city growth
- To ensure a comprehensive review of our city bylaws starting with driveway widths to support the needs of Guelph families
- To ensure the South End Community Centre STAYS in the capital budget
- To advocate for a south end gas station
- To ensure we achieve transit that works for everyone and relieves congestion on Gordon St.
- To find solutions for affordable and accessible housing for our new home buyers and seniors
- To advocate for Guelph master trail system and resident access to open green spaces, connecting Ward 6 to the rest of the city
- To advocate for efficient use of your taxes
- To restore secure and accessible online voting in municipal elections
