As a lifelong resident of Kitchener’s Rosemount community, I am excited to be running for Kitchener city council in Ward 1. I believe our community deserves a city council that reflects our values, communicates well and often, and really listens to what people want.

More than just a list of experiences and qualifications, I want to bring heart back to city hall.

Things are tough all over, and I know Ward 1 has been hit particularly hard by economic downturn and the housing crisis. I know that the best way to get things done, is to do them together. I’m running because I want to serve my community by bringing us together to solve our biggest challenges. I believe that when even one of us is going hungry, we all are. If we are going to ensure the health and happiness of our community, we need to listen to each other and work together to build the future we all want.

With two decades as a journalist and communications professional, I bring with me the experience necessary to help the residents of Ward 1 build the community they want. As a city council reporter, I got used to going through city budgets, line by line, to root out waste and unnecessary expenses and make sure councillors answered the tough questions. Now, I’m sure I can ask those same tough questions from the other side of the desk.

I value community service and have been a long-time volunteer in Kitchener. Starting with the Kitchener Public Library when I was just 12 years old, I have been a volunteer at many local organizations including the Girl Guides of Canada, The Shore Centre, Pathways to Education, Tri-Pride, the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, and various other organizations and causes. I’m committed to giving my time to help build the community we all want to see.

In addition to my work and volunteer experience, I have an extensive education, with a diploma in business from Sheridan College, a diploma in journalism from Conestoga College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and post-graduate certificates in creative writing and publishing from the Humber School for Writers at Humber College.