While populism and division may work for politics south of the border, Dale West hopes to bring Collingwood residents together to create one, united vision going forward.
West has been a Collingwood resident since 1983, except for a brief time in Orillia, and being part of the community has always been a priority for him. With a career in local radio and a personal focus in volunteer work, West feels ready to help guide Collingwood toward a brighter future, which is why he's running for town council.
West first ran and was elected to council in 2010.
“I saw it as an opportunity to expand my involvement in serving the community, and I thoroughly enjoyed the work and the successes we had for the town,” he says.
West is looking forward to having that opportunity again.
“The future of our town is at an interesting crossroads as we prepare to deal with the full effect of the province’s plan to push our population to over 30,000 in the next 15 years,” says West. “Our decisions will be critical in preventing the growth from changing the character of the community.”
West sees the community as having a special small-town feel while, at the same time, being a vibrant urban centre. He hopes to tackle issues surrounding affordability, town debt, and growth.
“Affordability is going to be an issue at the forefront during our growth spurt,” he says. “During the 2010 term, we started a trend to reduce the debt in town. That trend has continued and it is important we continue to lessen that burden on the ratepayer.”
West sees the ability to collaborate as an important factor residents should consider when choosing who to vote for this time around.
“As we grow as a community, it will be important for council to make sure this growth works for everyone,” he says. “This can’t be done when there are pockets of division, it is important that every facet of our population focuses on what is best for the community.”
Divisive politics won’t work this time around, says West, and Collingwood needs to unite if it wants to see any progress.
“We can’t look through the prisms of new residents versus old residents, high income or not, we have to be one Collingwood,” he says.
“I am looking forward to these challenges and working with whoever else our residents choose to sit at the table next term,” says West. “I am here to work for your Collingwood.”
West is one of 19 candidates for councillor in the upcoming October municipal election. Voters may choose up to seven candidates on their ballots for councillor.
The Collingwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a meet-the-candidates event for the mayor and deputy mayor candidates on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.) at the Royal Canadian Legion. There will be a separate event for councillor candidates also hosted by the chamber on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Collingwood Legion.
The chamber will be posing questions received by members of the public to each of the candidates during the meeting. Click here if you have a question you’d like included.
