On Oct. 24, folks across Waterloo Region will head out to vote for city and regional councillors, mayors, and a regional chair.
In Cambridge, which is the region’s second biggest city, residents will choose councillors for eight wards plus a mayor to form the city council.
There’ll be at least three new people on council since Ward 4 Coun. Jan Liggett is running for mayor, Ward 5 Coun. Pam Wolf wants one of two seats on regional council, and Ward 3 Coun. Mike Mann isn’t running again.
In Ward 6, current Coun. Shannon Adshade is aiming for a third term but has four challengers competing for the spot.
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To help voters get ready for this election, Cambridge Chronicle reached out to everyone running for regional or city council, mayor or regional chair in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo who had online contact info available. They were sent seven questions by email and over the next few days we’ll share answers from all candidates who respond.
Below are the replies from those running for councillor in Cambridge – listed alphabetically.
Shannon Adshade
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Q.1 Please share a bit about yourself including your job and how long you’ve lived here? (If you’re an incumbent please say how long you’ve held this position.)
I’m a retired special education teacher and have lived in my ward for 20 years. I’m currently serving as Cambridge Ward 6 councillor-this would be my third term after being elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
Q.2 Why do you think you’re right for this role?
I believe I’m right because I’ve had the honour of serving my community for eight years already and want to continue another four years. The experience I’ve gained helps me understand what our ward and city really need. As my campaign says: ‘Experience, Leadership and Commitment.’
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Q.3 What’s the biggest issue facing your ward and the whole city?
The top issue in my ward is speeding and unsafe driving in neighbourhoods-I get more calls about that than anything else. We need lower speed limits around schools and residential areas to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.
An important concern is growth too – Cambridge will grow no doubt – but we must make sure development fits well with nearby neighbourhoods and benefits the entire city.
Q.4 What are your long-term goals for the city?
A major goal of mine is improving our current recreation facilities which aren’t enough yet. We’ve made progress with new soccer fields on Linden Drive, doubling Preston Auditorium space, adding rinks at Sports Park on Franklin Boulevard-but we have to keep building better amenities so living here gets even better.
I also want efficient ION Rail service along with Go Train access finally coming to Cambridge-we need to push provincial & regional governments hard on this front.
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An additional goal is working with Region & Province to build more homes including affordable housing – it’s badly needed here now.
And lastly increasing police presence downtown would help deter crime; having officers walking patrols there would be great.
Q.6 How do you like spending your free time?
I love being involved with sports – watching hockey, baseball, football basketball & soccer mainly!
Q.7 What’s your favourite thing about living here?
Meeting so many wonderful good people who live right here in Cambridge means a lot to me.
Eian Campbell
Q.1 Tell us briefly about yourself – what you do & how long you’ve lived locally? (Incumbents please state term length)
I’m Eian Campbell , aged 58 , lifelong resident of Ward 6. Born right here back in ’64 , went to Stewart Avenue Public School then Glenview Park Secondary within this same ward. My kids go there now too.
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I work as director of operations at Crown Verity based out of Brantford. Also vice-chair of operations & board member at CITT-the top place nationally offering supply chain logistics certification courses.
With over twenty-five years managing operations plus board roles behind me , I’ve developed lots of cost-effective solutions solving operational issues-this combined with deep local roots makes me suited well as candidate representing Ward 6’s interests.
Q.2 Why should voters pick you?
Being born raised & living lifelong within Ward 6 gives me real insight into concerns not only locally but across all Cambridge communities as well. This city’s fantastic place raising families ; however rapid upcoming growth especially near southeast part where big housing projects exist (Dundas St & Regional Rd 97) means traffic volumes will spike along roads plus demand rise sharply on social services like doctors , emergency hospital care , social support programs & sports facilities alike -I want voices from our area represented strongly bringing practical cost-conscious solutions forward delivering results residents deserve!
Q.3 Biggest issues facing your ward/city overall ?
Having lived almost six decades here gives me hands-on knowledge listening closely lately citizens’ worries such as :
- The planned high-rise off Water Street S between Birch Street & Churchill Park causing multiple zoning exceptions sought by developers regarding floors count + parking spots size/number;
- The idea of small “pods” being placed inside Churchill Park;
- Zoning changes proposed turning Clover Ave away from single-family houses;
- The ongoing delays getting ION train service extended into Cambridge;
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The City faces other challenges such as:
Mental health concerns affecting everyone including homeless folks Attracting fresh businesses/manufacturing Building/upkeep public parks/trails/playgrounds/transparency/accountability among elected officialsMy experience both locally grounded plus professional/business savvy helps me listen carefully address these issues promptly communicating clearly till workable solutions appear.Q4. Long-range hopes/goals?- – Bring more industries onboard making jobs stronger;
- – Implement transport plans helping citizens move smoothly thruout town (including pushing hard getting ION trains arriving before year2032);
- – Develop homelessness strategies addressing root causes effectively;
- – Improve transparency/accountability standards among politicians;
- – Maintain pride via protecting environment/heritage buildings alike;
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Kris Langford
Q.2 Why do you believe you’re fit for this role?
Governments these days lack leadership; they’re mostly filled with politicians instead of everyday people. I served military then moved into trades-I’m not interested becoming just another politician. My goal’s simply representing people honestly. Public service means selflessness-that’s true honour. Alongside growing up here living in ward six, I know neighbors friends family so their worries become mine too.
Ward Six feels ignored by its current councillor meaning no real representation. This led Hancock Pool closing despite community protest. Council still backs monstrous plan from Burlington-based LJM Development. This project proposes five towering fifteen-story apartment blocks built near waterfront choke point Water St (Hwy24)/Highman Ave. Residents opposed throughout but council turns deaf ears. Current councillor neglects even basic municipal matters like speeding traffic ignored totally.Housing/homelessness remain key along with fixing leadership gaps. City needs stay affordable or risk losing those who serve/work locally.My platform boils down hard work, housing humanity. Elected reps must put residents first. Working hard serving not expecting perks. Housing means shelter first addressing homelessness. Humanity demands policies centred around people not profits/politics.I’m local filmmaker mostly busy creating art. Also huge fan performing arts/soccer often found theater/soccer games attending.Growing up saw much country/military travel helped appreciate beauty great people. Cambridge isn’t just buildings, business-it’s its community.Source link
