As newlyweds in 2009, we decided to call Thorold home because of its tight-knit community. We liked that Thorold kept its “small-town feel” while keeping many of its amenities. It’s a city that has always felt very warm and welcoming to my family.
My advocacy work with ‘Friends of the Richmond Street Forest’ and the fight to save the Frog Pond was a driving force in my decision to run for Thorold City Council. It was a mistake that never should have happened, but I’m happy to say we are on a positive path to restoration. I have been involved in the City’s project committee where, upon completion, we will have planted dozens of native species plants. We will have brought the first terrestrial eco-passage to Niagara.
I considered sitting back for the next 4 years, giving myself time to learn more about the inner workings of Council. I imagined getting involved in committees, continuing to speak as a delegate in Council meetings, and reviewing the upcoming Strategic Plan.
But I just don’t know what Thorold will look like in 4 years without a proper balance of voices….so I decided to dive in and run instead.
Thorold is going through an identity crisis. I know saying this upsets the many residents of Thorold, especially those that have been here for generations. But consider why I say this: we have lost our paper mill, The Canal Bank Shuffle, a number of banks, and the LCBO. We nearly lost our only high school and we have risked its future by saying ‘no’ to DSBN’s offer of a turf field. Our museum was becoming forgotten until the City stepped in with a helping hand this past May. We have temporarily lost our Thorold Blackhawks to Port Colborne for this season, and our Santa Claus Parade has gone through years of risked cancellations.
We have lost so much, but our City has also seen new growth. We are building whole-new communities in the South, expanding Confederation Heights, we are getting a new Fire Hall, and a number of small businesses have joined our downtown core, bringing both charm and livelihoods to our historic corridor.
So, I say that Thorold has an ‘identity crisis’ to spark a discussion. Does Thorold want to be small and charming, large and industrious, or somewhere in between?
I believe our next 4 years should be focused on establishing Thorold’s identity - how we can stand out, and on our own, in the Niagara Region.
On October 24th, I invite you to vote for me and
“Let’s Build a Balanced Thorold”.
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