KAREN STEARNE
Age: 60 Occupation: Employed at Heart Niagara
Family: With husband David Fast, we have one daughter
Previous political experience: None
Community work: As an active member of our community I have started a small business, worked in tourism and hospitality and worked for a non-profit. I believe each of us has a responsibility to leave the path better than we found it. My volunteer experience includes solutions to increase access to services, the mental health agenda, food security, capital campaigns for Niagara Falls assets, social planning and events that promote health and wellness.
Top issue: Fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. Each of us needs to know where the money is going and why.
Why are you running? Staying on the sidelines is not an option for me in 2018. As your councillor I will bring a voice to council that is more than business, more than non-profit, more than health care.
Why should voters choose you: I bring 40 years of community development experience to the table. I have a proven record of accountability, collaboration and leadership. And I’m committed to our community.
Contact info: 905-358-7392. info@karenstearne.com, @karenstearne on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
MIKE STRANGE
Age: 48 Occupation: Real estate agent (Masterson Realty)
Family: Susie Mowers
Previous political experience: Current city councillor 2014-18
Community work: Box Run (founder) to fight childhood cancer, Heater’s Heroes annual event (founder), KO for Kids Cancer (founder)
Top issue: Teen mental health initiatives in our community
Why are you running? I feel lucky to have an opportunity to serve a community which has done so much for me.
Why should voters choose you: I plan to use the experience I gained from my first term to be a strong voice for our community at city hall
Contact info: mikestrange2018@gmail.com; mikestrange.ca
TOM STRANGES
Age: 42 Experience: Owner/operator Gino’s Pizza, Lundy’s Lane
Family: A proud father of five.
Previous Political Experience: None
Volunteer: Over 10-plus years volunteering as coach, assistant coach at Niagara United and Niagara Falls Soccer Club
Top Issues: Better spending of taxpayers’ money and spend it throughout Niagara Falls.
Bring abandoned buildings up to code to provide shelter, food, clothing for needy.
Revamping downtown, make owners of the abandoned buildings accountable. Double tax.
Why are you running? I find city council seems divided and at times aligned only to benefit themselves and certain parties. Change is needed. The key tools to bring Niagara back as the beautiful, desireable city to visit and live in is change - on council, new faces and innovative ideas.
Why should voters vote for me? I have worked many years in hospitality, and truly understand the difficulties that arise for the working people in a predominately tourist environment with typical high and low seasons. I have a solid comprehension of good business practices, and I will fight to help protect taxpayers’ money.
Contact: 905-349-9683; Tom.stranges@hotmail.com; www.tomstranges.com
WAYNE THOMSON
Age: Occupation: Niagara Falls city councillor, full-time
Family: Married to Bonnie, 3 daughters, four grandchildren.
Previous political experience: 22 yrs city council; 17 yrs mayor of Niagara Falls; 24 yrs Niagara Falls Hydro & Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc; 17 yrs regional councillor; Niagara Falls Tourism, chair; Fallsview BIA, chair; Tourism Partnership, co-chair; Scotiabank Convention Centre, chair
Community work: created COES developed into Project SHARE; created Doctor Recruitment Committee; created the Mayor's Youth Committee; created Disability Committee; instrumental in getting MacBain Community Centre, Scotiabank Convention Centre and WeGo; responsible for casinos coming to city, creating thousands of jobs; recipient of Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Work; reduced council from 12 to 8 seats; eliminated ward system; founding Committee for Meals on Wheels;
Top issue: Fiscal restraint and control. Grow the job market. Attract all kinds of activity from different sources to keep city progressing.
Why are you running? I have a passion to serve the community, solve problems and be available. Served at city hall for over 39 years. I sincerely love the work and each challenge.
Why should voters choose you? No one brings more. I'm always available, always approachable and continue to contribute.
Contact info: cell 905-359-2238; www.waynethomson.ca
TIM TREDWELL
Age: Occupation: Employed at the Beer Store.
Family: Two children, two cats.
Previous political experience: Canvasser, poll supervisor, candidate.
Community Work: Volunteer with the Rankin Run and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Top Issue: Accountability
Why are you running? Because of the poor representation on council as a whole - anyone can do this job, and better.
Why should voters choose you? I am you, and I will represent you the way I wish to be represented, with honesty, integrity and respect.
Contact info: 289-990-4835