On Oct. 24, voters across Waterloo Region will head to the polls to elect city and regional councillors, mayors and a regional chair.
Residents of Cambridge, the region’s second-largest city, will elect councillors in eight wards in addition to a mayor to form city council.
There will probably be at the least three latest faces in place, as Ward 4 Coun. Jan Liggett is running for mayor and Ward 5 Coun. Pam Wolf is looking for one among two seats on regional council. Ward 3 Coun. Mike Mann has chosen not to hunt re-election.
In Ward 6, Coun. Shannon Adshade is looking for a 3rd term in council but he’s facing off against 4 others for the job.
To assist voters ahead of this election, Global News has reached out to all of those running for regional or city council, mayor or regional chair in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo with available online contact info. Those running for office were emailed a listing of seven questions and in the approaching days, the responses for each candidate who replies will probably be shared.
What follows are the responses received from those running for councillor in Cambridge, with the candidates being listed in alphabetical order. (This page will probably be updated if more candidates select to reply.):
Shannon Adshade
Q.1 Please give a transient background of yourself including what you do for a living and the way long you’ve gotten lived in the world? (When you are an incumbent, please state how long you’ve gotten held the position.)
I’m a retired special education teacher and have lived in my Ward for 20 years. I’m the incumbent having served two terms 2014-2018, 2018-2022 as Cambridge Ward 6 councillor.
Q.2 Why do you think you’re the precise person for the job?
I think I’m the precise person for the job as Ward 6 Councillor because I even have had the honour and privilege of serving my community for eight years which I would love to do for one more 4 years. This experience and knowledge is invaluable in determining our ward and city needs and desires. Also, as my campaign slogan states I think I can provide ‘Experience, Leadership and Commitment.’
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is crucial issue facing your ward and town as an entire?
Crucial issue facing my ward is speeding and dangerous driving in our neighbourhoods. I get more calls on this matter than some other. We’d like to cut back speed limits in residential and faculty zones to make our roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
One other vital issue is growth and development in my ward. Cambridge goes to grow obviously but we want to make sure this growth and development is compatible with surrounding neighbourhoods and town as an entire.
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for town?
One vital issue facing town, and a part of my long run goals, are improving are present inadequate recreation facilities. We have now made great progress on this regard with the brand new recreational complex and soccer fields on Linden Drive, doubling the Preston Auditorium and adding 4 latest rinks to the Sports Park on Franklin Boulevard. Nonetheless, we want to make sure this improvement continues to make Cambridge a greater place to live.
One other vital issue and long run goal facing town is bringing efficient ION Rail and long overdue Go Train Service to Cambridge. We’d like to lobby the provincial and regional governments to make sure this happens.
Moreover, one other long run goal is town must work with the Region and Province to construct more homes and reasonably priced housing. It is a real need for brand new homes and for reasonably priced homes in town. Finally, I would love to see increased police presence in Cambridge and in our downtown cores. Having officers on foot patrol in our downtown cores can be very useful in deterring crime.
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I prefer to be involved with and watching Sports. I’m an actual hockey, baseball, football, basketball and soccer fan.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in Waterloo Region?
My favourite thing about living in my Ward and City is meeting the numerous incredible and good people residing in Cambridge.
Eian Campbell
Q.1 Please give a transient background of yourself including what you do for a living and the way long you’ve gotten lived in the world? (When you are an incumbent, please state how long you’ve gotten held the position.)
My name is Eian Campbell, and I’m 58 years old. I’m a lifelong resident of Ward 6. I used to be born in Cambridge in 1964 and attended Stewart Avenue PS and Glenview Park Secondary School situated inside ward 6. My children are currently attending those self same schools.
I’m employed because the director of operations for Crown Verity situated in Brantford. I’m also the vice-chair of operations and board member for the CITT. The CITT is Canada’s most valued source of supply chain logistics certification courses in Canada.
Combined I even have over 25 years operational management and board member experience during which era I developed many cost-effective solutions to operational challenges. This experience combined with my grassroots experiences throughout the city of Cambridge makes me the best candidate for city councillor in Ward 6.
Q.2 Why do you think you’re the precise person for the job?
I’m a lifelong citizen of Ward 6. I understand the concerns of not only the residents in Ward 6 but additionally town of Cambridge. Cambridge is a superb city to lift a family. Town will probably be experiencing tremendous growth in the approaching years with the large housing development within the southeast section of town (Dundas Street and Regional Road 97). This much needed housing development will greatly increase vehicle traffic throughout the city and demand for local social services resembling family doctors, emergency care on the hospital, social services, and native athletic fields I need to represent the residents of Ward 6 and their concerns and present cost-effective viable solutions to those issues.
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is crucial issue facing your ward and town as an entire?
As a citizen who has lived in Cambridge and specifically ward 6 for 58 years, I even have working knowledge of the concerns of the residents on this ward. A few of these concerns in recent months have been:
- The proposed high-rise development with access of Water Street S between Birch Street and Churchill Park. Citizen concerns are centered around the numerous requested deviations to the constructing by-laws by the developer because it pertains to variety of floors, variety of parking spaces and size of parking spaces.
- The proposal to position small “pods for people” in Churchill Park.
- Proposed bylaw rezoning of Clover Ave in Cambridge from single family dwelling.
- The lengthy delays of the ION train service to Cambridge.
Town of Cambridge can also be coping with the next:
- Mental health and wellbeing for all residents including the homeless
- Attracting latest business and manufacturing to town
- Creating and maintaining public parks, trails, playgrounds, and greenspaces
- Transparency and accountability of their elected officials
My local knowledge and business and board member experience will enable me to listen (to) the concerns of the residents of ward 6. I’ll work tirelessly to speak these concerns to council and facilitate timely solutions to those concerns.
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for town?
My long-term goals for town are:
- Attract more industry to our city.
- Implement an efficient transportation technique to that allows the residents to efficiently move throughout town. This includes the ION train in Cambridge before 2032.
- Develop a plan to deal with homelessness throughout the city.
- Transparency and accountability with our elected officials.
- Continued community pride as shown by environmental stewardship and preservation of our heritage buildings.
Q.5 What’s your platform?
My platform is to hearken to the concerns of the residents of Ward 6 and effectively communicate these concerns to council and develop effective solutions to those concerns. This must occur in a transparent and accountable manner. I’m a recognized skilled within the logistics community and I might bring this same professionalism as a city councillor for Ward 6 in Cambridge.
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
Prior to now I even have coached Cambridge house league soccer and was an official for Galt Minor Hockey. Now I enjoy watching my children play sports. I also enjoy playing golf and slo-pitch softball.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
My favorite thing about living inside ward 6 in Cambridge is the short and easy accessibility to the local schools, parks (Churchill Park), trails (Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail), downtown shops.
Bill Conway
Q.1 Please give a transient background of yourself including what you do for a living and the way long you’ve gotten lived in the world? (When you are an incumbent, please state how long you’ve gotten held the position.)
My full time job is as a Project Manager for an industrial automation company Rockwell Automation situated in Cambridge. I’m also a Trustee for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, I used to be first elected to represent Cambridge and North Dumfries in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, I served because the chair of the board from 2018-2020
I even have lived in Cambridge all my life and live in Ward 6 with my family
Q.2 Why do you think you’re the precise person for the job?
I think my experience as a Project Manager for nearly 25 years with two of Cambridge’s largest industrial automation employers, together with my eight years’ experience as a trustee for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board representing Cambridge and North Dumfries, with two years as Chair of Board, demonstrates my knowledge and experience in each business management and municipal government. That together with being engaged in the neighborhood through fundraising efforts with the United Way Waterloo Region, 100 Men Who Give a Damm Waterloo Region and Walk a Mile of their shoes in support of the YWCA, makes me a wonderful alternative to represent the people of Ward 6 on Cambridge City Council for 2022-2026
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is crucial issue facing your ward and town as an entire?
In Ward 6, I even have heard from residents about their concerns with speeding particularly across the multiple schools that are situated along Myers Road, with the request to adding speed bumps and speed cameras in the varsity zones to extend safety. Moreover, across Ward 6 I even have heard of concerns of speeding in residential streets and people not adhering to creating full stops at stop signs with the request for more Police presence.
I even have heard from residents with the concerns with the proposed development along Water St S and the way that may impact the adjoining neighbourhood and the lack of green space
In town as an entire I see the next as the key issues
- Housing affordability each to buy and rent, there may be also an increasing variety of seniors who’re unable to afford housing on account of pensions not meeting the rising costs of inflation.
- The increasing homelessness of all ages
- The necessity to increase support to essentially the most vulnerable in our community with more services and programs
- Ensuring that development that’s sustainable and responsible
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for town?
I think reducing homelessness and supporting our most vulnerable with services and programs are two key areas that need to vary in the approaching years. These needs to be of high priority with specific goals and timelines to reaching these goals while reporting back to the council of Cambridge on progress
More programming for Seniors and specific strategies on addressing the pressure that Seniors have (been) facing in coping with increased housing costs.
I think that recreational services must be improved; this might mean more investment in sports facilities, parks and sports fields, and increased bike trails and bike lanes, skate parks.
Q.5 What’s your platform?
By voting for me, Bill Conway, I will probably be the voice on vital issues, challenges and opportunities together with supporting city services that makes Cambridge a greater place to live. I will probably be committed to collaborating with those I represent in Ward 6, local businesses, community organizations, and advocating for Cambridge interests in any respect levels of presidency. My focus will probably be on being a responsible steward of city assets and accountable spending of taxpayer’s dollars, supporting and advocating for those working with essentially the most vulnerable, development decisions which can be sustainable and responsible, promoting our city’s architecture and natural beauty including rivers, trails, parks for residents and tourism
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, I stay energetic by lane swimming, biking on the numerous trails in Cambridge together with playing hockey I’m a member of Toastmasters and serve on the club executive.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
Cambridge and Ward 6 is a community that cares and appears out for one another and is welcoming to newcomers to our city. We have now many beautiful natural areas to enjoy with our rivers, trails and parks
Adam Cooper
Q.1 Please give a transient background of yourself including what you do for a living and the way long you’ve gotten lived in the world? (When you are an incumbent, please state how long you’ve gotten held the position.)
Raised in England, I emigrated to Cambridge in 1988 and attended Galt Collegiate Institute and Conestoga College. I even have lived in Ward 6 for 11 years. For 20 years I even have run my very own web marketing business together with stints within the hospitality and publishing field.
Q.2 Why do you think you’re the precise person for the job?
For five years I even have been a successful and distinguished advocate for the rights and interests of the people of Cambridge. I even have a well-documented history of passionately and intelligently delegating at each the regional and municipal levels, proving myself to be a reliable, respected and compassionate advocate for the people of Cambridge.
I even have worked along with many community leaders and elected officials to be a powerful voice for those which can be feeling the numerous social and financial effects of existing failing policies. I’ll proceed this journey to tirelessly advocate for more practical solutions to our many issues that directly affect all who live inside our beautiful city.
I think in a safer, higher Cambridge for all and can proceed my work toward this goal when elected to council.
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is crucial issue facing your ward and town as an entire?
– Safety in downtown areas and neighbourhoods, particularly for our seniors and kids
– Addiction/homelessness and mental health related social issues. We’d like to bring all levels of gov’t to the table to significantly address this issue while prioritizing the rights and safety of the local people.
– Speeding issue in lots of parts of Ward 6
– Property crime
– Residential and business break-and-enter incidents
– Housing crisis and current cost of living
– Irresponsible, predatory development resembling the proposed condo development backing onto Highman Ave. While we want more housing, we want to making sure responsible development decisions that respect existing residents and protect our invaluable heritage areas and natural assets.
– Lack of recreation options for youth
– Lack of nightlife to draw locals and tourists to our cores
– Heavy truck traffic through our core areas
– Maintenance of parks, pools and trails
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for town?
I want to expand on our current efforts to show our multiple beautiful downtown cores into vibrant, appealing areas for visitors and locals alike. To encourage more ‘walkable’ downtown areas which can be safer, more inclusive, more pedestrian oriented and thus more desirable to large swaths of our population.
The recent closure of two downtown areas to vehicle traffic over the summer has seen an incredible response from our community as these once empty areas became home to live entertainment, singing and dancing, and families having fun with our local foods and drinks establishments. Most of all, these initiatives brought people together.
I think in constructing on successes like this. We have now an incredible community so lets bring more of Cambridge together!
I also consider in prioritizing the protection of the residents of Cambridge. Many in our community, especially seniors, now not feel secure walking our downtown areas and neighbourhoods. Businesses are leaving for this reason.
Property crime has skyrocketed over the past 4 years together with increased vandalism and break and enter incidents. This case is unacceptable and all of us deserve higher. Let’s work together to make a greater Cambridge, a Cambridge for everybody!
Q.5 What’s your platform?
I think that Ward 6 and indeed Cambridge as an entire is in need of a council that understands above all else that they serve the people and businesses of Cambridge. There may be a way of frustration amongst residents who’re feeling disillusioned with a council that has minimized and dismissed their legitimate concerns while forwarding their very own personal agendas.
I want to return trust and honesty to a council that has an unlucky history of not fulfilling it’s promise to act in the very best interests of those who they’ve been tasked with representing.
For a lot too long, the interests of developers, special interest groups and ideological agendas have been placed ahead of the residents of our city. I’ll bring a fresh ‘residents first’ culture to city hall together with a greater give attention to public consultation, transparency and respect for public opinion.
I even have faith that by working along with all levels of presidency and by listening to the needs of the residents of Cambridge we will all enjoy a safer, higher and more prosperous Cambridge.
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
I’m an avid aviation enthusiast and revel in scuba diving, bike rides on country roads, traveling, live music, trivia nights, dressing up for Halloween and walking/riding beautiful trails. I’m also a TRMA award nominated musician and frequently perform live throughout Cambridge.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
In Ward 6 you’ll discover many attractions that bring the community together and make it such an exquisite place to live; attractions resembling beautiful parks, stunning waterfronts and breathtaking trails. Our ward also encompasses many thriving and growing communities that represent the nice diversity found inside our city.
I sit up for meeting as lots of you as possible within the upcoming weeks as I work toward making ward 6 and Cambridge as an entire an excellent higher place to live!
Kris Langford
Q.2 Why do you think you’re the precise person for the job?
We have now a failure of leadership in any respect levels of presidency, it’s too stuffed with politicians and never regular people. I served within the military and now I work in trades, I even have little interest in being a politician, my goal is to be a representative. As someone who served within the military, I think that public service is the best honour an individual can have and that somebody elected by the people must work tirelessly for the people; public service is to be selfless not selfish. I grew up in Cambridge and live in ward 6, the people listed here are my friends, family and neighbours, their concerns are my concerns.
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is crucial issue facing your ward and town as an entire?
Ward 6 specifically has been abandoned by its current councillor, so we haven’t been represented in any respect at council. This has led to the closing of Hancock Pool against our wishes councils continued support for the montrusty development by Burlington-based LJM Development.
This may see five 15 story apartment buildings built at a waterfront choke point at Water St (Hwy 24) and Highman Ave. This 991 unit constructing which comes with 1176 parking spaces has been opposed by residents every step of the best way, and has fallen on deaf ears of council. Because our current councillor has negated any responsibility to the ward basic municipal concerns like traffic and speeding on residential streets is being ignored.
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for town/region?
Cambridge as an entire its housing/homlessness and again the shortage of leadership of local government.
We’d like to be sure that Cambridge is reasonably priced for the individuals who live here. We have now seen what happens when cities develop into unlivable to the individuals who work in and repair them.
Q.5 What’s your platform?
My platform is the principles of Labor, Housing and Humanity.
The exertions is within the a part of the elected official. You’re employed for the people, not the opposite way around. Housing includes rent, the fee to buy a house and basic shelter of those unhoused. Without shelter (housing first) you’ll be able to’t cope with some other social issues. Humanity needs to be in all policy decisions, they must be people centred not political or profit driven.
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
I’m an area filmmaker so plenty of my truly spare time is taken up with that. I’m each an enormous fan of the performing arts and soccer so I’m either at some form of theater event or attending soccer games.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
I grew up in Cambridge and my time within the military let me see plenty of the country and other parts of the world which let me really appreciate not only how beautiful town is but how great the persons are. Cambridge will not be just the buildings and business, it’s the people.
