Woolwich Election Talk

[UrbanWaterloo]

Super-Stickied this thread so it will be easier to follow as we get closer to the election. 32 weeks to go. Is anyone here considering running for a position?

[Brenden]

So which one of our Wonderful Waterloo members is going to be running?

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

Candidates ramping up for Woolwich mayoral race
By Steve Kanon | OBSERVER XTRA | Friday, July 9, 2010

Facing his first electoral race since 2000, Woolwich Mayor Bill Strauss says he’s happy to run on his record. He dismissed his challenger’s claims the township needs new ideas and leadership at the head of council.

“I think we are proactive. Look at that new building (Woolwich Memorial Centre): we listened to the people. We listen to everyone.

“I think we have a pretty good record to go on,” he said in an interview this week, reacting to remarks made by Elmira businessman Todd Cowan in announcing his candidacy.

While prepared for an election, Strauss said he was surprised Cowan was making a bid for his job instead of running for a council seat.

“I would like to see him run for council first and get some training, then run [for mayor] when I’m ready to step down.”

In response, Cowan said he decided to run for mayor rather than a council position because “we have to have change at the top – that’s where we need it most.”

In the face of growing challenges, Cowan said the township can no longer make do with reactive leadership dealing with issues strictly on a piecemeal basis.

“We need to be proactive. We should have policies in place rather than waiting for things to happen then reacting with a lack of leadership.”

With the campaign for the Oct. 25 municipal election in the early stages, Strauss identified property taxes as a priority. Noting Woolwich taxes are second lowest in Waterloo Region, he said he hopes to keep them that way.

“Dollars mean an awful lot to me – I was trained that way in business.”

He also points to a new Hwy. 7 corridor between Kitchener and Guelph as longstanding issue in need of resolution.

Strauss expects to run a low-key campaign, highlighting his experience. He’s been mayor since 1997, contesting that year’s election and again in 2000. He was acclaimed in 2003 and 2006.

“I’m out there. I want to be mayor for one more term anyway,” he said. “The only promise I make is that I’ll continue to be here for the people.”

For his part, Cowan is making use of the internet – a website (www.vision4woolwich.com), Facebook and Twitter – to roll out a platform and invite public input.

“My strategy is to come to the people with a proactive plan, to lead this township, to get it back on the rails,” said Cowan, stressing the need for a vision for the future.

The online presence has allowed Cowan to get an immediate response from the public. He’s getting 10 or 15 messages per day in response to his campaign.

“I’m getting lots of support, plenty of good feedback and lots of volunteers who want to help out.”


http://observerxtra.com/2/news/candidates-ramping-up-for-woolwich-mayoral-race/

[UrbanWaterloo]

Here are the new candidates since the last update.

Mayor: Pat McLean
Ward 1: Julie-Anne Herteis
Ward 2: Eric Schwindt
Ward 3: Bonnie Bryant

[UrbanWaterloo]

September 10, 2010 Update

Ward 1: Mary Young & Allan Poffenroth are now candidates.
Ward 3: Douglas Nichols is now running.

No acclamations in Woolwich, for the full candidates list check out Post 1.

[Shawn]

Biogas Plant becoming an Election Issue

I discovered and posted an article from the Elmira Observer and it can be found under the Proposed Biogas Power Generation Facility | Public Meeting April 6 thread.

[Shawn]

Updated Monday, October 25, 2010 at 9:02 p.m.

WINNER
DECLARED
LEADING

Mayor
Todd Cowan: 2777
Pat McLean: 1784
William (Bill) Strauss: 1483

Ward 1
Jim David: 747
Julie-Anne Herteis: 1257
Allan Poffenroth: 1775
Ruby Weber: 1178
Mary Young: 297

Ward 2
Mark Bauman: 735
Eric Schwindt: 478

Ward 3
Bonnie Bryant: 818
Murray Martin: 681
Douglas Nichols: 266

[ElmiraGuy]

WOW! If these stand, it would mean the entire council was swept out!

Ruby will not be pleased! :-)

[Shawn]

I updated the colour scheme and you are right Elmiraguy, the results all stood!

[ElmiraGuy]

As someone who grew up in Elmira, and knows several of the ousted councilors, I am glad to see the voters did some house-cleaning. While I suppose the same can be said about most any municipal/local government, Woolwich was notorious for maintaining the status quo, and for being difficult to work with.

The town has a very good industrial base for it's size, but is very wanting with regards to retail and restaurants. It's proximity to K-W is partially to blame, but one wonders if there aren't other reasons.

Elmira has approximately 10,000 people, and one bar. It had four bars at one time. It also lacks a restaurant which serves anything above a mid-price range. Not to mention it has the worst Tim Horton's in this sector of the universe!

Man am I glad I don't live there anymore! In fairness, the town has a lot going for it, but it also has a lot of unrealized potential. Hopefully the new mayor and council will explore that potential.