Why run for election?
Next week, Clearview is hosting a workshop for people who are interested in next fall’s municipal election.
What kind of person runs for municipal election? Why commit your time and energy to such an effort? What’s it like to be part of Council? And what if you don’t win?
To find out the answers to these – and other – questions, the Echo sat down with three people who have different kinds of local political stories to tell.
The incumbent
Since she was elected to the position of Councillor for Ward 6 four years ago, Deb Bronée feels that both she and Council have come a long way.
“I was used to doing the nitpicky stuff,” said Bronée, who has an avid volunteer history organizing New Lowell’s Winterama festival, as well as baseball events, and parks and recreation activities.
“When I was elected, I felt I was in a place where I could do something and make things happen. But it was harder for me to make decisions, which is what you have to do on Council. Now, I’ve got to speak in public and be willing to let other people help.”
In the past four years, Bronée feels that she and her fellow Councillors have learned how to work better for Clearview, together. With that experience under her belt, she is looking forward to continuing Council’s work.
“Even though things move ahead slowly, there are positive changes,” she said. “It’s exciting to come up with ideas and figure out how to implement them. Four years ago, there was lots going on that I felt I was close to, and I felt that I had something to offer. Now I like being involved in what’s happening.”
According to Bronée, anyone who is interested in running for Council must be flexible with their time. In addition to her job as an Eligibility Review Officer with Simcoe County Social Services, and mother of two children, ages 19 and 23, Bronée estimates the position requires 50 hours a month.
“You need to be flexible to do this job,” said Bronée, who is constantly revising her schedule to fit in appointments so she can speak to her constituents and attend events.
But she says it is rewarding to be able to represent the community that is so dear to her heart.
Born in New Lowell, Bronée has lived in Sunnidale for most of her life, near the same farm where her grandparents lived.
“My favourite part of the job is talking and listening to other people. In Clearview, we are 14,000 people all spread out, but we can work together to get things done.”
The newcomer
Although she had dreams of running in the last two municipal elections, Connie Leishman wasn’t able to make the commitment due to family and business obligations.
Now, with her family grown (Leishman has three daughters in their thirties – the youngest of her seven grandchildren will start full-time kindergarten next year) and business at Leishman Pottery stable, this election hopeful feels the timing is right.
Leishman filed her nomination papers for the new Ward 6, where she and her husband, Mike, have lived for the last 34 years.
“I really love politics,” Leishman explained. “I love getting things done, I love helping people and figuring out problems, and I want to give back to the people in the community.”
Although this will be Leishman’s first run for a role on municipal Council, she isn’t a complete newbie to the game. Leishman was the Simcoe County District School Board Trustee from 1994 to 1997.
“I know how to take things head on,” she said. “I’m in the people business, so I am a good listener. I am interested in whatever issues come up in Council. And debating doesn’t scare me at all!”
Leishman is passionate about Clearview. She loves its neighbourhoods, as well as her friends and clientele. “Our customers have been coming to us for years. It’s a rural community – we look after each other.”
Leishman thinks her business experience will help her make good decisions about spending Clearview’s taxpayers’ money. Among other things, Leishman would like to see more small- and medium-sized businesses in the Township.
“I’ve owned my own business for almost 40 years, so I think I know what it takes to keep costs down,” she said.
The optimist
Even though Creemore resident John Millar lost his bid for a seat on Council in the 2010 municipal election (by just one vote to Ward 2’s Orville Brown), he said “it was still a good experience.”
Millar, who runs the international charity, Tin Roof Global, campaigned for about six months before the Town Hall debate, talking to people in their homes, and at community meetings and events.
“By far that was hands down the best part of it,” said Millar. “I knocked on as many doors as I possibly could. Even if I had different views from people, there wasn’t a door that was closed.”
“We had amazing conversations on doorsteps and in living rooms. Although municipal politics can get personal or divisive, it can be more civil on someone’s doorstep or having tea. I learned a lot.”
“People were really surprised to have an aspiring representative knock on their doors,” he continued. “One farmer said, ‘Son, you’re the first politician to walk up that driveway in 25 years and I’m going to vote for you just for showing up!’ ”
Millar suggests that anyone who feels they are not being represented by the current Council members should consider running for election themselves.
“When I ran, I was excited to be a younger member of the population. It was the best way to engage younger participants. In the political process, you have to have younger people running. You just can’t sit and wait for someone else to be elected.”
As for himself, Millar says his name won’t be appearing on the ballot this time around due to personal and professional obligations. But don’t forget the name – you just might find him at your front door in the future.
