The Echo sent the following questions to all candidates running for a seat at the council table in Dysart et al.
The Questions:
1. Provide an introduction to yourself. (This could be about how you came to the area your hobbies and interests family life education accomplishments.)
2. What is the most important issue facing Dysart et al today? As a council member how would you address that issue?
3. Are there services or facilities you would like to see in Dysart et al that don’t already exist? If elected how would you go about making them a reality?
4. Explain how climate change is impacting Dysart et al and what council can do to help mitigate its effects.
5. The chamber of commerce and local businesses have raised concerns that there are not enough young adults and young families choosing to live in the Highlands. This has led to shortages in some fields (skilled trades for example) and fewer children and youth in the community. What can council do to attract and retain young people?
The ballots will be going out in the mail this week. Election day is Oct. 22. For more information on voting contact the municipal office.
Next week we will feature the Q&A from Highlands East candidates.
1. I’ve basically lived in Haliburton my whole life my family moved here in 1977 when they bought Elephant Lake Lodge and before that we were cottagers for many years.
Being in the tourist industry and managing the family business I was able to devote time to community volunteering and fundraising. As a teenager I was a member of the Teen Recreation Committee for the Harcourt Community Centre I have been involved with various committees over the years. I am currently treasurer of the Harcourt Recreation Board and working as a tax specialist and bookkeeper at H & R Block for 15 years.
2. I will not just name one issue all the issues are important to me and I will do my best to address them on behalf of the constituents of Ward 3. The lakes are an important asset in this municipality and we need to protect the quality of water. As more and more people are working from home now high speed internet access and good cellphone service is a priority.
3. Having affordable housing is fine but we need long term rentals in this area to attract the young families. The 20-something generation are renting condos or apartments right now and trying to save that down payment to buy a house. Start a campaign to let them know their skills would be valued in this area. This would benefit the whole county. I would like to start a task force just to deal with this issue.
To finish I would like to state that Ward 3 needs a voice and that I will make time each month to be at the Harcourt Community Centre for anyone to come and speak with me about any issue that you feel is important. Like any of my volunteer work I’m doing this for the community and I will be at bat for you!
