EloraFergusToday asked candidates in the upcoming municipal election to tell us a little bit about themselves and their platform.
Name: Martin Tamlyn
Occupation: Teacher
How long have you been a resident of Mapleton Township? 22 years
Why are you running? I am running for council so that I may be a strong advocate for the current and future health and prosperity of residents, businesses and the natural environment within the Township of Mapleton.
What qualifies you? As a parent, long-time resident, teacher, and engaged community member, I feel that I can bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. My work over the last 20 years has been dedicated to sustainable development and has included: Grant writing, public education and cultural events, local food programs, and climate change mitigation initiatives. Through this work I have collaborated with many regional organizations and have sat on many advisory committees.
Why should people vote for you? I am a firm believer in responsible and transparent governance. I am approachable, dedicated and well informed.
What do you see the main issues facing residents of Mapleton Township? I feel one broad issue facing all of us is that of affordability – housing, food, and energy costs to name a few. I am excited to see the movement and initiatives coming forward from the County of Wellington to help to support this.
Is Mapleton Township growing too fast? I guess it depends on who you ask and what the community envisions. The key to any development is that it’s done responsibly and remains within carrying capacity limits of the area’s ecological systems.
How would you support efforts to bring licensed childcare into Mapleton? If elected, I know there will be many debates and issues that arise that will be new to me. Each one would require me to become better informed before making any decisions. I don’t think there is any doubt on the importance of accessible and reliable childcare locally but I’m sure there are many nuances that would need to be understood.
How do we make Mapleton a better place? I think the way to make Mapleton a better place is firstly to be clear about the things that are important to us. I would love to see more collaboration and trust between residents and the township and for this tier of governance to be seen in a less hierarchical sense. We are in this together.
