EloraFergusToday asked candidates in the upcoming municipal election to tell us a little bit about themselves and their platform.
Name: Marlene Ottens
Occupation: Municipal councillor
How long have you lived in Mapleton? All my life
Why are you running in this election? I have been a councillor for the past two terms and I want to continue the work that we’ve started.
What qualifies you to represent Mapleton? As a lifelong resident, I am familiar with the community. I grew up near Conestogo Lake, then moved near Parker, and have lived on a farm near Moorefield since 1983. I have a long record of community service; Hospital Gala Committee, Drayton Soccer executive, Tulip Festival Committee, Canada Day Committee, Moorefield Brownies, Mapleton Historical Society, in-school mentor with BBBS, plus numerous committees at my church and my children’s schools. I have work experience in hospitality and journalism.
Why should people vote for you? I’m not doing this job to promote myself, or to advocate for any interest group or special issue. I want Mapleton to be the best it can be as a community for everyone who lives here.
What do you see as the main issues facing residents of Mapleton on a broader scale? High taxes for urban residents is an issue. It’s difficult to provide the services residents want at the level of taxation that is expected in a small community. Mapleton also needs to keep expanding water/wastewater capacity to accommodate urban growth.
What is the most important thing you want to see changed in Mapleton? Fairer funding from the province for rural municipalities. There’s a huge disparity between what Mapleton should receive in tax dollars and what is received because of farm tax discounts and the provincial funding that is supposed to make up for that.
What services need to be improved in Mapleton? I think Mapleton offers great services for a community of its size, but I would like to see an arena upgrade in the future.
Is Mapleton growing too fast, just the right amount, or not fast enough? Because Mapleton’s urban growth was on hold for several years, it needs some major growth in the next few years to make up for lost time.
What can be done at the local level about the rising cost of housing? I would like to see developers offer housing that is more affordable for starter buyers. Smaller homes with basic finishes that young couples or singles could achievably purchase.
How would you support the effort to bring licensed child care to Mapleton? It’s long overdue. Mapleton has one of the highest rates of children per capita and yet, it’s the only municipality in Wellington County that doesn’t have funded childcare.
How do we make Mapleton an even better place to live? The best way to improve where you live is to be part of it - shop at local businesses, support events put on by service clubs and other groups, participate in your community so you become not just a resident, but a stakeholder in the best possible way.
