Meet the Merritton candidates
The Standard asked all Merritton candidates the same questions. A missing category means the candidate did not answer that question.
KIMBERLEY MERPAW CLIFFORD
Age: 43 Occupation: Educational
assistant
Family: Married for 20 years to Ben Clifford, mother of two boys, Ayden, 17, and Ty, 14, daughter of Bill and Sandra Merpaw
Previous political experience: I am not a politician, but a transparent, committed community member willing to work hard and make tough decisions.
Community work: Parent council for both St. Theresa and St. Nicholas, Canadian Cancer Society canvasser, assisted coaches in MAA hockey school and soccer, earned an eco grant for tree planting.
Top issue: Merritton: Revitalization of stalled projects (Queenston Street, Hayes Dana, bingo hall) and continued smart growth of single and multi-family subdivisions. St. Catharines: Improvements to infrastructure with an eye towards the future and to help alleviate flooding.
Why are you running? Born, raised and living in Merritton; my deep roots and long history inspire me to support and grow a community we will be proud of.
Why should voters choose you? As a fellow community member I will be a strong, persistent advocate for our common interests. Merritton has and will always be my home.
Contact: Email: kimclifford4Merritton@gmail.com; Facebook: Kim Clifford 4 Merritton
DAVID HAYWOOD
Age: 39
Occupation: City councillor and correctional officer
Family: Married with three young children
Previous political experience: Ran in the 2010 St. Catharines municipal elections to be Merritton’s representative and finished runner up. I have been Merritton’s representative on St. Catharines city council since winning the 2014 municipal election.
Community work: I have dedicated my life to volunteerism including: volunteer boxing coach with St. Catharines Boxing Club (2005-10), member of the Merritton Community Group (2010-14), chair of the St. Catharines Green Committee (2010-14), volunteer for the Niagara Fresh Air Fund, member of the St. Catharines Cultural Funding Review Taskforce (2015), volunteer for Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold’s food drive (2015-16), member of the St. Catharines fire review master plan committee (2015), chair of the environmental sustainability pillar committee for the City of St. Catharines (2014-present), commissioner for the St. Catharines Transit Commission (2014present), member of the St. Catharines ad hoc budget committee (2014-present), member of the Mental Health and Opiate Prevention Task Force (in St. Catharines - June 2018 to present)
Top issue: The redevelopment of vacant sites like the old General Hospital property; coupled with making sure in-filling within current neighbourhoods honours existing characters of that community.
Why are you running? I am running to finish initiatives that I have started during the previous term of council. This increases keeping property taxes near inflation; implementing full regional transit; and securing support for my five-year parks restoration program.
Why should voters choose you? Voters should choose me because I feel that I have the most council and political experience, knowledge, education and passion to effectively and efficiently represent Merritton on St. Catharines city council. I have built solid relationships with city staff, local businesses, and the community to fluently tackle issues important to Merritton residents.
Contact: Phone: (905) 324 0123; Email: davehaywood@merritton.com; Website: www.merritton.com; Facebook; Twitter:
@dave4Merritton
MARTA KATARZYNA LIDDIARD
Age: Over 18, under 65
Family: My husband Bryan and I have three wonderful children; Emily recently graduated from Laura Secord Secondary School and is pursuing an acting career. You can see her at the PAC in the Jarico film “Fight.” Adelaide and Sebastian are in Grade 8 and Grade 5, respectively at St. Nicholas School.
Previous political experience: In 2014 I ran for the position of city councillor for the Merritton ward
Community work: I have been a volunteer at St. Nicholas School since 2005. I have volunteered with numerous organizations over the years; troupe leader with Scouts Canada and the arthritis society to name a few.
Top issue: Merritton: Developing the dilapidated old hospital; St.Catharines: The GM plant and Port Dalhousie are a mess! Why?
Why are you running? I like helping and being involved, I like a good challenge. I am not afraid to speak my mind and represent my community.
Why should voters choose you? I will work tirelessly to represent the voters, I will put my community first. I am honest and hard working.
Contact: E-mail: liddiard4Merritton@gmail.com; Phone: 905.359.0137; Facebook: Marta-Liddiard-for-Merritton; Twitter: @Marta4Merritton
LORI LITTLETON
Age: 44
Occupation: Financial services representative and freelance writer/editor
Family: Married with three
children
Previous political experience: Mayor’s working group rental housing bylaw member; Carleton University Students’ Association representative.
Community work: Treasurer/registrar 4th St. Catharines Scouts (Merritton); École Élémentaire L’Héritage parent council president; Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards judge and interview committee member; École Élémentaire Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys parent council member; Port Weller Soccer League coach.
Top issue: Development — new development, redevelopment of the former hospital site and infilling. Also, Merritton must get its fair share of city investment in our parks, playgrounds and redevelopment projects.
Why are you running? I helped organize my neighbours to successfully lobby council to fix our bungled street reconstruction project. I can help other people in Merritton make sure their concerns are addressed as well.
Why should voters choose you? I am independent with no ties to outside organizations that often try to influence municipal decision-making. I will work hard to make sure my neighbours’ voices are heard and their interests are represented around the council table.
Contact: Phone: 905-988-0170, Email: votelittleton@gmail.com; Website: votelittleton.ca; Twitter: @votelittleton18; Facebook: votelittleton; Instagram: votelittleton
GREG MILLER
Age: 31 Occupation: Communications
consultant
Family: Wife Jayme, children Ruth (2) and Henry (1).
Previous political experience: First-time candidate. I’ve worked on campaigns for Jeff Burch and Jennie Stevens previously.
Community work: I have served as a board member for St. Catharines CYO Basketball, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines, NEXTNiagara and A Better Niagara. I have been a longtime volunteer with the Sir Winston Churchill basketball program as a coach and am the chair of the 2019 Merritton Fireworks Committee.
Top issue: I want to ensure the families, seniors, entrepreneurs and graduates who want to stay in this amazing community are able to do so. To keep the heart in Merritton, we need to provide more housing options that are affordable and make it easier for small business to establish themselves and succeed here.
Why are you running? I’ve lived in St. Catharines my entire life and have chosen to raise my family in Merritton. I’ve always been driven to help my city and my community reach their potential; now I want to be part of doing that through bold, progressive decisions at city hall.
Why should voters choose you? I’m committed to my hometown, I know the impact political decisions have on our everyday lives and I’m enthusiastic about our future. I don’t back down from fighting for what is right and am dedicated to working together with the entire community to keep the heart in Merritton.
Contact: Phone: 905-931-3622; Email: greg@millerformerritton.com; Website: www.millerformerritton.com; Facebook:
millerformerritton
LESLEY JEAN SEABORNE
Age: Energetic 54 years young Occupation: 20-plus years as a law clerk in St. Catharines with 18-plus years exclusively for Heelis, Little, Almas & Murray, specializing in municipal law; 10-plus years as top sales agent for Mountainview Homes and six-plus years with MDS Laboratories.
Family: Parents: Jean Seaborne and late Reg Seaborne, Brother: late Terry Seaborne, other family and friends across Niagara; Single, mom to two cats, including the infamous Angel who went missing for 2.5 years; and Merritton resident.
Previous political experience: Ran for Merritton seat in 2014, eight years of attending city council meetings, getting to know Ward 1 constituents and issues; member of St. Catharines outdoor aquatic task force committee; spearheaded provincial “Keep Our Streets Safe” initiative; and involved in federal victim’s rights advocacy.
Community work: 33-plus years of volunteer experience with public, private and nonprofit organizations, membership chair Merritton Branch 138 legion; member of Merritton Community Lions; St. Catharines Dragon Boat Committee; Niagara Pets Alive, St. Catharines Historical Society member; and former director St. Catharines Museum.
Top issue: Getting action for Merritton’s issues — enough studies, discussions and consultations — let’s get the work done: Queenston Street revitalization;
Hartzel Road business development; Disher Bridge access; residential mixed/affordable housing opportunities; update social programs, traffic flow and safety programs. Enough talk — let’s do it!
Why are you running? It has been my passion and goal for the past eight years to serve and champion the Merritton community at St. Catharines city council. We are the fastest growing and most reasonably priced ward in St. Catharines, but have watched our tax dollars be used in other parts of the city, while we’ve waited for promised action. It’s our turn!
Why should voters choose
you? I have the experience, knowledge, energy and desire to get this work done in the new term. I live in Merritton and share the same concerns over issues raised as my ward neighbours. I’ve done my homework, understand the tax base, and have good relationships with city staff and residents to make these changes happen.
Contact: Email: seaborne4Merritton@gmail.com; Website: www.lesleyseaborne.ca; Facebook: seaborne4Merritton; Phone: 289-227-4728.
DIANE FOSTER
Due to unforeseen health issues, I find it necessary to withdraw my name from the race for councillor, Merritton, Ward 1, St. Catharines. Since the deadline for withdrawal has passed, my name will still appear on the ballot. If I am elected to office, I am hopeful the health issues have been sufficiently treated by the time the new council is sworn to office.
It is my desire to represent the people of Merritton, and bring their issues before council. I’d like to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me through the process of campaigning, and well through this difficult illness.
HAYDEN LAWRENCE
Did not respond