MPP Stevens ready to hang out her shingle
There’s no sign of Jennie Stevens at her office on Carlton Street — it’s being installed next week.
It’s been six months since the former Merritton city councillor was elected St. Catharines MPP and she finally has her constituency office up and running.
Barring any bad weather or unexpected events, a storefront sign will be commanding attention at 209 Carlton St. next week, along with hours of operation on the door.
“We’re pretty excited,” Stevens said. “I’ve finally got a team on board. They’re very well trained and very energetic and we’re ready to go.”
After a bit of a delay, staff have been working in the converted office near Buns Master for about a month now. When the sign goes up, it will be seem more official, but there’s still a community grand opening to come in January.
“It will be official, but not official until Mayor Walter Sendzik comes and cuts a ribbon for me,” Stevens quipped.
Stevens said that opening is scheduled for Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with light refreshments and welcoming remarks.
Former MPP Jim Bradley’s office on Secord Drive had been a fixture for decades but it wasn’t available. Stevens had to start from scratch, not only finding an office and setting it up, but building staff locally and in Toronto and finding accommodations there.
The Carlton Street location was chosen because it’s central, has parking and is a block away from a bus route.
Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch, who inherited Cindy Forster’s location and team, and incumbent Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates helped out during the transition.
Stevens said no resident ever had to wait for a response. All emails for her were answered and phone calls were directed to Burch’s office. Once hired, her two constituency assistants worked out of Burch’s office until the new office was ready. Her legislative assistant, in place since August, has been answering the phones in Toronto.
“It’s been kind of like a virtual office,” Stevens said.
Stevens said she’s been hearing good things about her staff, who’ve already been meeting with residents.
“Everybody’s been giving me positive, positive feedback,” she said.
“Now we’ve just got to get the word out there and let them know, ‘Hey, Jennie is open for business.’”
Stevens said her first six months as MPP have been “a whirlwind,” with a rare summer session at Queen’s Park.
She has loved it.
“How could you not love your dream job? I have wanted to be an MPP and that was always my goal. Eight years ago when I ran against Jim it was defeating, but when I won it was just wow, pinch me, this is real.
“Our caucus, the NDP with Andrea Horwath as our leader, has been so supportive and leaning on each other. Its been a real team-building atmosphere and it’s great.”
Last week Stevens walked into caucus and got a standing ovation because she became a grandmother again. She said she’s made friends on the government side of the aisle, too, and has had meetings with the Conservatives about St. Catharines issues.
Residents who meet with Stevens or her staff at the new office to discuss issues should be warned though — they may leave with doughy cravings.
“It’s really good to go first thing in the morning to have a meeting with me because you just smell the aroma from Buns Master,” Stevens said. “That fresh bread smell.”