On Oct. 24, voters in Barrie, Ont., will head to the polls to elect councillors in 10 wards in addition to a mayor to form city council.
To assist voters ahead of this election, Global News reached out to all of those running for city council and mayor in Barrie with available online contact info. Those running for office were emailed an inventory of seven questions, and in the approaching days, the responses for each candidate who replies will likely be shared.
4 candidates have put their hats within the ring for Ward 10.
Wards 5 and seven were acclaimed, so Global News is not going to have profiles on their wards.
Global News has not received responses from any of the candidates from wards 3, 8, or 9 yet. If we do, profiles will likely be created for those areas.
What follows are the responses received from those running for Ward 10 councillor, with the candidates being listed in alphabetical order. (This page will likely be updated if more candidates select to reply.)
Joy Douglas
Q.1 Please give a temporary background of yourself, including what you do for a living and the way long you may have lived in the realm? (In the event you are an incumbent, please state how long you may have held the position.)
I’m Joy Douglas, a 56 12 months old small business owner/entrepreneur and government worker (Secondary School Office Assistant) who has lived in Ward 10 and Barrie for 21 years.
Q.2 Why do you suspect you might be the correct person for the job?
I’m the correct person for city councillor as I’m committed to showing up! I will likely be available for, hearken to, and advocate for all Ward 10 residents and residents of Barrie.
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is a very powerful issue facing your ward and the town as a complete?
After spending extensive time with “boots to the bottom” during this campaign, the 2 issues I actually have heard about over and once again are traffic, and growth. The City of Barrie and particularly Ward 10, are experiencing tremendous amounts of urban growth. Unfortunately with that growth comes more crime, more cars on the road and more houses.
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for the town?
My long run goals could be to draw recent businesses to Barrie, reasonably priced housing through initiatives and provincial government support, and educating residents about our homelessness and opioid crisis while developing a method with specific targets and timelines aiming to deal with the problems that contribute to homelessness.
Q.5 What are the pillars of your campaign?
- Community/Growth
- Family (more green space, maintaining trails etc, lights for Golden Meadow Park)
- Safety (slowing down traffic, monitoring of college parks, the brand new fire hall being inbuilt Ward 10)
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
I spend most of my recreational time in Barrie and Ward 10. Now we have 2 dogs and walk them daily in our neighborhood. We also ride bikes, skate in winter and use our city parks, paths and green spaces in addition to having fun with time with neighbours.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
My favourite thing about living in Barrie and Ward 10 is unequivocally the individuals who live here! Having lived in Ward 10 for 21 years it’s so far more than my address. It’s my family’s history. My children attended Ward 10 schools, our neighbours became our friends and I began my small local business here.
Bryn Hamilton
Q.1 Please give a temporary background of yourself, including what you do for a living and the way long you may have lived in the realm? (In the event you are an incumbent, please state how long you may have held the position.)
Born and raised in Barrie, I actually have spent a lot of the last 42 years living in Ward 10. After ending my Masters degree, I’ve worked in the general public sector each locally and provincially for the last 15 years. I’m an experienced Governance Director and work with non-profit boards all across Ontario. I train boards on find cost savings, efficiencies, but above all, provide value for each dollar spent. I’ll bring this level of accountability to city council.
Q.2 Why do you suspect you might be the correct person for the job?
I don’t have any political or personal agenda. I’m not trying to make a profession out of politics. I simply wish to see change, a city council that’s run effectively, and clear priorities for the town we love. My experience, leadership and skill set are what set me apart. I’m the one candidate with an in depth platform outlining what I plan to do and the way.
Q.3 What do you’re thinking that is a very powerful issue facing your ward and the town as a complete?
I share the identical concerns as most residents in ward 10, resembling safety, access to reasonably priced city run programs, camps, and recreational activities, clean parks and playgrounds, job opportunities, value for our tax dollars, and housing we will all afford to live in.
Q.4 Looking down the road, what are your long-term goals for the town?
Didn’t answer.
Q.5 What are the pillars of your campaign?
Over the summer I knocked on every door in ward 10, introducing myself and learning what matters to the residents in our community. Based on what I heard, I identified the highest 5 priorities I’ll bring forward because the Barrie City Council Ward 10 representative: Affordability, Safety, Council Function, Economic Development, and Homelessness.
Q.6 What do you prefer to do in your spare time?
I like being energetic and anything outdoors with my kids! I accomplished my first ironman triathlon last 12 months and luxuriate in doing smaller races just a few times a 12 months.
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living in your city/ward?
I actually have two kids aged 9 and 11 so appreciate the walking trails, proximity to the water, the parks, secure neighbourhoods, and the friendly community feel in ward 10.
Ken Lloyd
Didn’t reply to Global News’ request for comment.
Steven Mirtsos
Didn’t reply to Global News’ request for comment.
