In the weeks leading up to this year’s municipal election, Huntsville Doppler will be posting a commentary from each of the local candidates. The order of appearance is completely random. To read commentary from other candidates, click here.
Meet Helena Renwick, candidate for Town and District councils
As the election date approaches I want to take a moment away from the campaign trail and wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving with friends and family. This is a time to reflect on all the remarkable things we have in our lives and to recognize how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place and have such abundance in this country. It makes me truly thankful for the opportunity to place my name amongst others who are running for a position on District Council. I am thankful to share this journey with so many of you and sincerely wish my fellow candidates all the best.
Now back to the task at hand.
As I have mentioned before I am not running to be a Politician, I want to be a Councillor. I’m not thinking about the next election day in four years but about what is good for our community now and for future generations. I have decided to run for council because I want to see the Town of Huntsville continue to grow and prosper into a community where all people can live, work and play; a place where our economy is robust with prospects available for everyone. After years of working in this town and raising a family here, I have developed a deep love and respect for Huntsville and its citizens. I know the importance of reaching out and listening to people. I believe I will be a fresh, new voice on the political scene.
Over the past weeks while knocking on doors and meeting as many people as possible I have learned that people are ready to have someone on council who understands and listens to their interests and someone who has proven they will get the job done.
I believe I am that person. I spent two years as the Front of House Manager at the then “NEW” Algonquin Theatre, two years with the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce as the Community Marketing Coordinator and finally the past eight years as the Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association (BIA). I have been President of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Secretary of the Huntsville Arts Society, on the Board of Directors of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Director on the Ontario BIA Association, volunteer with Your TV, Hunters Bay Radio and Community Living. My artistic background combined with my business sense allows for an unique and creative yet practical way of tackling challenges.
After listening to many citizens, business owners and residents I believe the three main issues in this campaign are: Health care, Affordable Housing, and continued Economic Development.
Health Care and keeping an Acute Care Hospital – I applaud the recommendation of the MAHC Board for two Acute Care Hospitals in Muskoka and the support of this decision from various levels of government, including the Ontario Minister of Health and Premier is great news for Huntsville and the Almaguin Highlands. There is still work to do by the 25-member Community Task Force and I’m sure council will be with them every step of the way to ensure we have the quality health care service we need in this community.
Affordable Housing – Next to the topic of the Hospital this is the most talked about issue in town, and at the time this article was due, I can honestly say I don’t have an answer for what needs to be done. There are so many issues surrounding this subject and the deeper I get into the reasons behind the lack of houses for purchase or even for renting, the more I realize deeper investigation and reflection is needed. I’ve spoken to developers, property managers, landlords, tenants, young families, citizens, town planners and the list continues to grow. This issue will take some creative thinking and looking at best practices from other communities before I can make any formal statements or offer any constructive suggestions. I’m certainly up for the challenge.
Economic Development – Having come from a background of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement Association, economic development is top of mind. We need to continue to collaborate with the private sector and the broader community to create an economic development strategy that will diversify the year round economy. In a nut shell, we need to extend the seasonality of our biggest economic driver, tourism. Event and marketing along with brand strategy to market Huntsville as an ideal place to live and work. Included in that is working with local partners to expand access to high speed connectivity throughout our area.
I conclude with a thankfulness for my community and a sincere hope that I will be chosen to serve this community for years to come.
My website is www.helenarenwick.com
My Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/helenafordistrict/
Thank you,
Helena Renwick
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I am so impressed with Helena’s honesty, integrity, personality and past experience. I do hope the voters in Huntsville embrace her as their candidate for town and district council.
It is refreshing to hear a candidate say that they do not have the answer to an existing problem. So many times we hear about the big, bold “things” a candidate will do to solve the problem and make this world a better place. Studying the reasons why a problem exists, searching for creative ways to solve this problem, then implementing the solution is far more beneficial to society than a promise to fix the problem just to get votes when the candidate does not have a true solution to the problem. Honesty is always the best policy.
It is refreshing indeed to hear a candidate aver that she does not have an answer to something; rather than responding glibly with “buzz words”. I would always prefer someone with an appropriate background to investigate the problem, and then to apply her not inconsiderable IQ to its solution. Good luck, Citizen Renwick!
Helena although no longer living in Huntsville, thanks to Doppler online, I still keep current, and am thrilled to see you are running for Town and District Councils. With your experience, knowledge and bubbly vivacious personality, you will be a huge asset to both councils. God Bless, There is no doubt you will work for Huntsville’s success in the future as you have in the past.