Why I'm running

I am now officially a candidate for Woodstock Town Council.  There is one seat available in the byelection on November 15th - and four candidates.  I am nervous about my first election but I'm also pleased that there are four people running.  It means people care about our town, and that voters will have some susbtantial choices to make. 

Here is the long version of why I'm running.  If you're the speed-read type just skip to the end. 

Woodstock is a beautiful heritage town.  And if you said that in a crowded room, most heads would nod in agreement.  But I don't think we always believe that Woodstock has the potential to be a great town - a lively town with people greeting each other on the streets, where local businesses are thriving, where local food is served every day, a place where each business, house and street corner show the care and pride people have in their hometown.  I love living here, but I think we can do better.  And I don't mean that as an insult to the people who volunteer countless hours of time to serve their fellow residents.  But if we don't push ahead, we risk falling behind.

Over the course of the next month, I'll be blogging about some ways that Woodstock can go beyond the status quo and build a reputation based on its past, present, and vision for the future.  Please leave comments, suggestions, points for debate.  If we want to improve our hometown, it's up to us. 

My main concerns:

1.  The current state of our downtown. 

We need all the partners: Chamber of Commerce, Farm Market, Woodstock Tourism, RiVA, and all interested community members.  Good solutions come from people participating in a process that respects their intelligence and goodwill. The community is the expert, I've seen processes like this in action already. We have a lovely waterfront.  Let's stop driving through it and get people out to enjoy it!

2. Our zoning rules. 

This is a super-nerd issue but actually affects almost everyone in our town.  We need to be moving towards mixed-use neighbourhoods that are walkable, where people can operate small businesses in their homes.  In a small town, small businesses are absolutely vital.

3. Vision for the future. 

Woodstock is a very well-managed town.  Financially, we're doing well even in the midst of a recession.  That is great news, but we can't afford to spend all of our energy balancing books and neglecting discussion about what kind of town we want Woodstock to be in 5, 10 or 15 years.  We need to figure out innovative ways to promote Woodstock to our local region/provincially and to bring new people and businesses here, based on the strengths we already have.

Solutions will come from dedicated people working together.  It won't be easy and it will take a lot of time.  But Town Council has a crucial role to play in leading these processes, and in encouraging people to work together.  I care very much about organizing a team of people who want to see Woodstock thrive.  It will happen if we all play a part.