Four candidates for Fort Erie’s regional council seat
Election day is Oct. 22
The Review asked all the Fort Erie regional council candidates the same questions. A missing answer means the candidate declined to answer.
Candidates are listed alphabetically. One candidate, Douglas Baker-Smith, did not respond.
SANDY ANNUNZIATA
Age: 48 Occupation: Self-employed Family: Wonderful and supportive Previous political experience: Municipal councillor 200610, regional councillor 2014-18
Community work: I’ve always rolled up my sleeves to support our great community organizations. Passionate about inspiring Fort Erie youth towards success.
Top issues: Ensure regional health services never diminish and continue to exceed that of larger municipalities; craft regional policy that creates an environment for growth and job creation while getting rid of bad policy that makes us less competitive; continue keeping Region portion of taxes and water bills
low through efficient spending, targeted investment, while improving roads and infrastructure. Why are you running?: Fort Erie has received the greatest regional investment in our history, while keeping the regional portion of property taxes and water bills virtually frozen. We need to keep that momentum going. Why should voters choose
you?: I’ve listened to the priorities of Fort Erie families, I’m leading important conversations with our partners, and because of that I’m delivering on Fort Erie’s needs in health services, jobs, growth and low taxes. I won’t let the agenda be hijacked by individuals who’ve never set foot in Fort Erie and I’ll keep fighting for Fort Erie families.
Contact info:
Sandy@SandyAnnunziata.com; www.SandyForRegion.com; Twitter @OurTimeFortErie; Facebook Sandy Region Councillor.
JOAN CHRISTENSEN
Age: Occupation: Strategy, planning and grants consultant.
Family: One son, many nieces, nephews and their kids, with one on the way.
Previous political experience: First time as a political candidate but career experience with over 20 years as a senior manager in regional and provincial governments.
Community work: Chair of Fort Erie’s Community Health Care Services committee, Governance and Fund Development, member of the Greater Fort Erie Community Hub Task Force, volunteer with Advancing Crystal Beach and the Beachcombers Senior Citizens’ Association, board member of a community health centre, supportive housing agency, Central East Mental Health Co-ordinating Committee and a community legal clinic.
Top issues: Ending the Region’s governance distractions and dysfunction so that we can work for healthy aging, improved transit, environmental stewardship, sustainable housing and poverty reduction. Why are you running?: To serve the town of Fort Erie with integrity, a sense of accountability and passion.
Why should voters choose
you?: I bring an innate sense of integrity, understand accountability (“the buck stops here”), and know how to get things done in regional municipalities.
Contact info:
www.votejoanchristensen.ca, Facebook Joan Christensen for Niagara Regional Council, Fort Erie; 905-894-2858
THOMAS SAMUEL INSINNA
Age: 56
Occupation: Retired RCMP officer, having served for over 30 years.
Family: Married to Michele Everett, we live in Fort Erie. I grew up in Crystal Beach with two siblings and parents Sam and Josephine. Previous political experience: No formal political experience, however being an RCMP officer taught me to work within the framework of differing opinions and beliefs, work within the established legislation and most important working as a team.
Community involvement:
Over the last 12 years was member of the Community Gaming and Development Corp., town property standards committee, Knights of Columbus and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71.
Top issues: I will be a strong advocate for seniors in Fort Erie and Niagara. We need to be better at responding to the complex care needs of our aging population.
Why are you running?: To make a difference, bringing honesty, integrity and transparency to regional council while revitalizing communication between the region and residents. Why should voters choose you?: I am the voice Fort Erie deserves; strong, assertive, trusted and respected. I will work tirelessly with residents and council to bring new, inspired growth to Fort Erie.
Contact info:
www.tominsinna4forterie.ca , Facebook.com/Tom Insinna 4 Fort Erie; tominsinnaniagara@gmail.com or 905-321-5908