EloraFergusToday asked candidates in the upcoming municipal election to tell us a little bit about themselves and their platform
Name: Cathy Aylard
Occupation: I am a first-time political candidate. I have a business background in marketing, design and product development. I currently operate a flower farm which connects me to the community through my love of the land. I now have the flexibility which allows for time to serve the community. It is the right time in my life to take the next step in my community work to take on this challenge.
How long have you lived in Erin? I moved to Erin in 2019 with my husband and two sons. My roots immediately went deep in the community. The sense of community I found here inspired me to run in this election. We need to have people with different voices and life experiences stepping into elected leadership roles to help govern our community. A health mix of long-time residents and new residents around the council table will result in a balanced vision for the town. I am excited about the opportunity to represent my community at the council table.
Why are you running in this election? I am running in this election to preserve the best of what we have and manage change that will enhance our lives and our community. It is time to focus on the design guidelines adopted by the town in April 2021. These are the guidelines that will shape the future of The Town of Erin. The plan states “The town aspires to be a healthy and sustainable community while maintaining the look, feel and charm of a small town connected to its natural and built heritage. Good urban design results in great places and great streets that reflect the community, attract people and connect them to one another and their environments.” This plan inspired me to run for election. Here is the link to the Guidelines.
What qualifies you to represent Erin? I am the current chairperson of the Erin Economic Development Committee. I am part of the team that launched the Erin Entrepreneurial Hub to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Previously, I was a member of the Town of Erin’s Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee. I also sit on the Farmers’ Market Committee and volunteer at East Wellington Community Services. I have worked with many residents with a wide range of interests and concerns.
Why should people vote for you? I will bring a different and valuable perspective to Council. My success is founded on bringing diverse groups of people together to find solutions. I have the proven presentation and negotiation skills to make things happen. My skills and experience are directly transferable to the role of Erin councillor. I will do everything I can to make this community stronger, safer, more sustainable and livable. I will do everything I can to make sure our community is healthy and successful - socially and economically. I have the courage, tenacity and skills to tackle the challenges that change presents.
What do you see as the main issues facing residents of Erin on a broader scale? The main issue facing our community is managing the change that comes with the growth mandated by the provincial government. As a result, building the appropriate infrastructure, while keeping an eye on the bottom line, is one of the key issues this council will grapple with. This council will need to balance human needs, environmental needs and growth needs.
What is the most important thing you want to see changed in Erin? The first order of business for the new council will be to build a clear and achievable strategic plan. I will be very vocal about getting the community involved in laying this groundwork for the future we desire. This will help us all get onside about the best solutions to the choices we are facing. Our Town’s current mission statement is “To achieve stable growth and long-term sustainability while creating a prosperous, healthy, environmentally progressive, livable, and inviting community through well managed municipal services, programs, assets and amenities.” I am committed to developing a detailed plan to achieve this. Town Council and staff must be held accountable to make it happen.
What services need to be improved in Erin? Providing services to our current community and planning for growth will be a balancing act. The need for services is high and all of them come with a financial investment. A thoughtful growth plan is required.
I am committed to developing a plan with a focus on livability and quality of life. The following are only two of the services that need improvement.
One area of opportunity for The Town of Erin is to create a healthy and connected community. I am very excited about the proposed multi-use recreation facility at Barbour Field. This could be a community gathering space providing a wide range of programming. As a devoted hockey and soccer parent for many years, I know how important a hub like this becomes in your life.
Another area of opportunity is to address the impact of the population growth on our roads and the resulting increase in traffic. The current volume and speed of vehicles on our roads is already alarming. This must be addressed when developing a sound strategic plan.
Is Erin growing too fast, just the right amount, or not fast enough? We are facing an extreme level of change brought about by the growth mandated by the Ontario government. I believe Erin is growing too fast. I am concerned about the town’s ability to plan for and keep pace with community facilities and services. We need a plan that preserves the best of what we have and considers growth that will further enhance our lives. That is why I am running in this election.
What can be done at the local level about the rising cost of housing? Partnering with appropriate private developers, new building projects can get an innovative team of passionate builders, designers, and planners, to make developments both appealing and achievable. Developments full of single-family homes will not solve the housing crisis. This is our chance to offer Erin residents more affordable, accessible, inclusive and sustainable homes. Solutions to addressing this issue should be scheduled as the first phase of a new development, not left to the end.
Do you support building the Waste Water treatment plant? The construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant has signalled big change for our community. I support the Wastewater Treatment Plant, however, I am very concerned about the impact of this plant on the future of The Town of Erin. The performance of the plant will require constant measurement and possible mitigation if it does not perform as promised. The Wastewater Treatment Plant does however provide the level of service we need to attract new business. New business is needed to create thriving main streets. New business will spread the tax burden between commercial and residential properties and economic growth will allow us to keep pace with community growth.
How do we make Erin an even better place to live? A shift to a strong customer service attitude by council and town staff will make The Town of Erin an even better place to live. The role of the Council and Town staff is to serve the community so customer service should always be the top priority. Customer service should not just be a line on the strategic plan. I believe all residents should always feel heard, respected and supported.
Website - www.Cathy4Council.ca
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - Cathy4Council.Erin
Facebook - Cathy4Council.Erin
