Cathy Keane — Oro-Medonte Ward 3

2018 AWARE Simcoe questionnaire – Cathy Keane

from Orillia Today

Our family moved to Oro-Medonte four years ago. We have an eight-year-old son attending W.R. Best Memorial Public School. My husband and I came to look at houses, and upon arriving in Oro-Medonte, we said, “This may not be the house, but this is definitely the area where we want to raise our son and retire.”

Before my husband’s work relocated us, I worked for the public as a veterinary technologist, veterinary laboratory technologist, and as co-ordinator of disease surveillance (Animal Health Division; Department of Natural Resources) with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for over 15 years. At the same time, I was a trainer for Transportation of Dangerous Goods. My 15+ years experience working with various provincial/federal governments and agencies, law enforcement, universities, non-profit organizations and the private sector throughout Canada and around the world has given me knowledge and skills that I will bring and use to council. Serving the public was something I had great pride in doing and made every effort to assist anyone who contacted me since I felt I was working for the taxpayers, and not the government itself. I will carry this work ethic as councillor of Ward 3.

While living in the city of Mount Pearl for 16 years, I (as a volunteer) and city councillor, led a drive resulting in the city creating its first dog park, changing methods of invoicing taxpayers for services, and adding more economical enhancements to the city.

Several concerns have been repeatedly raised and I will advocate those and others if elected:

-Need for affordable and reliable high-speed internet

-Roads: With the increasing growth of Oro-Medonte comes more traffic; aging roads need to be repaired, and replaced, and, signage and road safety in areas needs to be examined

— Tax increase is unwanted

-Need for more openness, communication and accountability with council. I will bring transparency and do my best to be available and always respectfully listen to all concerns that are brought forward. Being councillor of Ward 3 will be my full-time job.