Ward 2 has first candidate
Dunedin’s Donna Baylis has filed papers to run in Clearview’s Ward 2.
The self-described “healthy, happy 50-year-old mother of one” says it was her experience as a member of the public during a very political process which motivated her to run for Council.
“The Stop the Mega Quarry movement opened my eyes to the fact that decisions were being made around me that I didn’t necessarily agree with. I learned a lot about how the political system works from an activist’s point of view,” Baylis told the Echo.
Now, as a candidate in this fall’s election, she pledges to understand, and help others understand, the system from the other side.
“My goal is to take the time to learn all the aspects required to run the Township and then to give people the Coles’ Notes version. People are busy and don’t have the time to go into all the details,” she said.
Baylis knows what it is like to be busy. Since moving here is 1992, she has worked as an independent computer consultant in the financial industry. She is also an active member of the Dunedin Hall Board, the Creemore Curling Club and the Dufferin Grey ATV Club. She now works part-time from her home on the Garden of Eden Road allowing her to take up the challenge of municipal affairs. One of the biggest challenges she cites is the way people feel about their local leaders.
“I’ve been hearing that there is not enough transparency at Council but I suspect that it is simply a case of communication. I’m going to find out. I am going to make myself available to anyone who has questions or comments through social media as well as traditional means.”
If elected Baylis said she will continue the work she has been doing around land use and the environment.
“People need clean air, water, and local food sources for a sustainable lifestyle. I would like to bring Food and Water First to Clearview Council.”
Food and Water First is a grass roots movement dedicated to protecting farmland and source water regions. According to Baylis the ideas around the movement provide a way of thinking which takes more than money into account. Yet, when it comes to accounting, she advocates “living within our means”.
Her ongoing commitment to environmental issues saw Baylis take on the role of Campaign Manager for the Green Party in the Dufferin Caledon riding during the last provincial election. This gave her the confidence and desire to get more involved.
Baylis is still doing her homework with regards to the issues in the newly defined Ward 2 – which covers the largest area within the Township and encompasses Duntroon, Singhampton, Glen Huron and Dunedin – but, she feels after watching provincial politics in action she is ready to be play a larger role in the local decision making process.
“I am young enough to have some energy and old enough to think I have some wisdom,” she told the Echo.
