Two-term city councillor Jo-Dee Burbach submitted her papers Thursday to run for mayor of Stratford.
In an interview with MyStratfordNow, Burbach said she had considered running for mayor during the last municipal election cycle but felt getting more experience as a councillor was the way to go.
“Being on council is a huge learning curve. I felt like I needed a little more experience under my belt.”
Burbach, however, said she was getting a little frustrated at the speed in which things were happening at city council.
“I know as a leader, you can inspire change a little faster.”
With a second four-year term of council up in October, Burbach said she has learned a lot about municipal processes and using the system in a more efficient way.
Forming relationships has been key to getting things done, she said, including listening and learning from what she describes as “excellent” City of Stratford staffers, as well as understanding how the province and federal governments intertwine and work with municipalities.
Burbach said making Stratford an affordable place to live is very important, and “basic human needs”, including housing, should be within reach, especially for young families.
Asked about success as a group at city hall, Burbach said a recent council win is moving towards licensed home childcare, a big ask from the community dating back to last term.
Burbach also noted a council commitment towards “practical decisions” at the Grand Trunk site and a foray into the warming centre as noteworthy accomplishments.
“I guess my frustration is we have worked on all of these things the whole term. Now we are right at the end (of the term) and we are finally getting there. It really felt like we were stuck and now we are finally moving forward.”
“I’m really happy with the direction. I think our values as council were aligned. I feel like it has just not been efficient and I think the speed at which things happen needs to change.”
Burbach said she is “100 per cent supportive” of the City of Stratford’s recently announced legal challenge against the province’s Strong Mayor powers, which she describes as undemocratic and believes city councils should be able to vote on whether or not they want Strong Mayor powers in their communities.
Prior to running as a city councillor, Burbach was involved in community groups, ‘based on the passions that I had and learned about making changes through those avenues.”
That included participation in the parent council at Bedford P.S., the Foundation for Education Perth Huron board and the Stratford Cycle board.
