Hundreds of community members heard different ideas and plans to improve Stratford from mayoral candidates at a Q&A Tuesday night at the Rotary Complex’s community hall.
Hosted by the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce, all five residents running for mayor attended including Jo-Dee Burbach, Mark Hunter, Martin Ritsma, Andrew Rea and Robert Ritz.
CJCS radio morning host Jamie Cottle moderated.
Issues discussed included the need for a ward system, housing & homelessness, the Grand Trunk Site, tourism and gender-based violence.
When asked what their vision is for the Grand Trunk, Rea said he wants to amplify input and feedback from the public to understand what they believe should be done with the site.
Ritsma said the city is in the process of working with the YMCA and Stratford Public Library as initial stakeholders.
Burbach said she wants to create a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood that meets the community’s needs, while Hunter said he would support city council’s plan of getting a new library and YMCA.
Ritz would move forward with the grand trunk project with a financing plan designed to pay for itself and bring relief to taxpayers.
When asked how they would address gender-based violence as mayor, Burbach noted she would work on shifting the conversation from surviving violence to preventing it.
Hunter said a better job needs to be done raising young men and helping women who need it.
Ritz said he would listen to organizations that deal with gender based violence to understand the pressures and work effectively with the city to support them, while Rea said all appointed representative needs to address the issue and take action.
Bringing organizations such as Violence Against Women to schools to educate students is key, Ritsma said.
In an interview with MyStratfordNow following the Q&A, Chamber of Commerce general manager Aaron Martin said the event helped showcase different views.
500 people registered, showing people want to engage and learn, the GM said.
“I believe there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now, the uncertainty has pushed your average Joe to go out and engage with their local politicians, looking at how they’re buying things.”
Local resident Niki André told MyStratfordNow she felt incumbents had a better understanding of realities and logistics behind ideas.
As it stands, André says she will vote for Jo-Dee Burbach as mayor.
“I think she has the right values to get the things done, but also has the experience of the reality of how those things get done and has made connections with the different organizations that can help with things like affordable housing, supportive housing, healthcare and senior care.”
Municipal election day is Oct. 26.
