Who is running for mayor in Stratford

Incumbent Steve Ogden is reoffering for another term as Stratford's mayor, but this election cycle he'll be challenged by councillor Gail MacDonald.

These are the two candidates registered with Elections P.E.I. to be on the ballot come Nov. 7.

We sent them a questionnaire highlighting just some of the major issues facing the town now and into the future.

Here are their answers in alphabetical order by candidate name.

Gail MacDonald

How can the town improve and expand on its active transportation lanes?

Active transportation is very important to our residents and therefore very important to me. My goal would be to try to connect many of them, so that when walkers or cyclists are using a trail and then it ends — that they know how to reach the next one without referring to a map. We used to have a blue line painted along streets to show users how to easily get to the next trail. I am hearing from residents that they very much appreciate the town clearing them in the winter so they can continue to enjoy them all year round. I would like to see this practice expanded to include all trails possible. Thank you to the province for the much needed active transportation trail from the Esso to Sobeys for the safety of our residents. Where else should we place a trail? I'm open to hearing your ideas.

What is your plan to address housing issues in the Town of Stratford? 

The town needs to work with the Province on coming up with a definition of affordable housing and work from there. Are there developers out there willing to work with the town to ensure new apartment buildings contain a certain percentage of affordable units as in the past? What do they need from us to make that happen? Can we work with our provincial and federal partners to offer more subsidized housing for families and seniors? I would strike a committee to assist in working through this issue with council and to help come up with solutions. With the soaring price of groceries, oil, rent, etc some residents are finding it a real struggle to make ends meet. With encouraging alternate forms of heating this may make the difference in someone being able to heat their homes this winter and the winters to come.

How will you improve upon Stratford's massive Community Campus project?

I agree — it is a massive project. One that cannot be completed without the support of our other government partners. Through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure funding stream of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, we hope to make it a reality. We will continue to apply for funding through this means for our major financial support. Residents and sports associations along with other interest groups must be at the table to ensure the Community Campus is a reflection of what the Town of Stratford needs and wants. Communication on this project over the next few years is paramount for its success. And, this communication must be clear on any tax increases that may be required to make it a reality.

What can the town do to better prepare for major storms like Fiona?

I'm hearing at the door, several interesting and sound ideas of what the town might have done better or could do better in preparation for the next storm. Once again — and I can't emphasize this enough — communication is key! We knew Fiona was coming long before she hit. Getting the word out to residents, using as many platforms as possible, to reach the masses would be beneficial. Many tell me they didn't know the town would be setting up a warming centre as soon as practical after. We did comfort residents, through power and hot coffee, snacks and a hot lunch from Monday on, after Fiona. We had approx 1,200 very appreciative residents there on the first day! But yes, we will review where we could do better, working with the province and Red Cross to ensure residents safety and well-being are our priority. Should we have a spot with cots, etc for those who must vacate quickly? What could we have said prior to the storm to ensure residents peace of mind? .

Why are you the best choice for mayor?

My slogan is "Your Concerns are Mine" and it is not just a slogan. It is how I lived my entire life as a wife, a mother, a volunteer and as a dedicated police/911 dispatcher for 37 years. I will listen to your concerns and try to help you through it or to accomplish it. As I have mentioned many times in this article — communication is key! I will keep residents informed to the best of my ability with the invaluable assistance of my CAO, managers and staff. With a great team around the council table with whom I pledge to keep well informed as a leader — Stratford will truly be the best community possible and everyone will be glad to call it home. Lets work together, going forward. I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.

Steve Ogden

How can the town improve and expand on its active transportation lanes?

This is a very high priority for residents, and it goes to the very core of responsibility of municipal councils — to keep people safe. We need to put active transportation trails in areas of greatest risk to pedestrians and cyclists; identify highest priority areas by analyzing volume and speed of vehicular traffic, number of pedestrians and cyclists, with data from the RCMP and the Department of Transportation; and vote as much funding as possible each budget year for active transportation trails.

What is your plan to address housing issues in the Town of Stratford? 

Stratford needs adequate housing for all income levels. The current shortfall and high average price is directly related to demand outstripping supply so the two have to be brought into balance by increasing supply. This can be done by incentivizing more construction of lower-priced housing, and removing barriers by changing the permit process to allow developers and local residents to share proposals and views earlier in a less adversarial way and using successful approaches from other jurisdictions. Residents' quality of life and the character of existing neighbourhoods must be maintained as part of this process.

How will you improve upon Stratford's massive Community Campus project?

Communication and public engagement at each step is of paramount importance. It is impossible to communicate too much. I would involve residents as much as possible in the design and development of each part of the campus. For example, I would ask the sporting associations to work together with council, staff and architects to design the recreation complex. We would then identify the areas of greatest need and build those components first, keeping everyone informed about decisions, progress and plans.

What can the town do to better prepare for major storms like Fiona?

This should be the subject of an objective post-mortem study and report to identify lessons learned, what worked and what didn't work with recommendations to staff and council. Even without the study though, it is obvious that non-digital based communication technology is required, as well as more electrical self-sufficiency for the town's pumping stations. Resiliency and reducing dependence on non-local resources is a goal we should seek as soon as possible. I would put in place community emergency response teams of volunteers to ensure local capacity to respond to any emergency.

Why are you the best choice for mayor?

When hiring for any position, it is important to assess the qualifications of each candidate. There is no better way to evaluate candidates than to put them in the job and assess how they perform. I would submit that by successfully leading the town through almost three years of a pandemic and two hurricanes while achieving unprecedented progress on all major priorities, shows that I am best qualified to lead the town. I have a solid track record of achievement over the past four years with the vision and experience needed to achieve even more over the next four.