MEET WARD 15 COUNCIL CANDIDATE TED MCMEEKIN

NAME: Ted McMeekin

OCCUPATION: Occasional consultation work, active community volunteer

WHAT WARD DO YOU LIVE IN?: Ward 13, a 37-year former resident of Waterdown

CONTACT INFORMATION: trustedmcmeekin.ca | McMeekin4Ward15@gmail.com

POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: Councillor, Ward 15

PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Executive assistant to Ian Deans, MPP, two-term Ward 7 Hamilton Alderman, last democratically elected Mayor of the Town of Flamborough (two terms), MPP (five years), Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, member of the Cabinet Treasury

Board.

WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?: Public service is an obligation not an option. I love our city and know its potential. Hamilton is in trouble, with public distrust being palpable. I can disagree without being disagreeable and have the skill set needed to bring people together to get things done.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?: Focus on post-pandemic business development, working with the chamber, farm groups and our BIA. Better local transit options will be important. Continue to protect our Waterdown Heritage District, the largest heritage district in Hamilton. Climate change is real. We must protect ourselves by enhancing the resiliency of our water/wastewater systems.

IF ELECTED, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR PRIORITIES?: The best political advice I ever received came from the late, great Lynden farmer Sterling Hunt. He said, "Tell the people what's broke and how you're going to fix it." He added: "And be positive — no one wants to be led by a pessimist." That's advice I'll gladly continue to follow.