She’s only been on the job for three weeks, but the Town of Collingwood’s newly hired community transportation co-ordinator is ready to hit the gas.
Village Media spoke with Sandy Falcon, 44, about her new role and how she got to where she is today.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born in Ecuador. I came to Canada when I was young. We lived just off of Jane Street in North York. I went to elementary school there.
I went back to Ecuador and lived there for a while, and then moved to Louisiana for a year, and then lived in Georgia for a year. I came back to Canada at the end of my senior year of high school, and finished school here.
I lived in Toronto until I was about 33, and then we moved up to Barrie. I live in Barrie now.
We live in Barrie for a variety of reasons, but mainly, I have two older sons who have intellectual disabilities, and I was looking for a school.
When my oldest son was diagnosed, he was in the sixth grade. I was thinking about his transition into high school. I wanted to find a smaller high school for him that understood his disability, and I found one in Barrie.
He graduated. He’s 22 years old now. He’s working and doing really well. So, I have a warm spot for Simcoe County. I think it’s incredible.
Q: Why did your family choose to move to Canada from Ecuador?
A: My parents really wanted to find a place where I could flourish. There weren’t as many opportunities in Ecuador. It’s a Third World country, so it’s limited in resources not only for me, but my parents as well. They really wanted to work and set up roots somewhere else.
Both my parents worked in manufacturing. My mom was a presser at a dry cleaner, and she did that up until she retired, and my dad started as a pizza delivery guy and eventually got his electrical engineering diploma. He worked for UPS for many years.
Q: You’ve been recently hired by the Town of Collingwood as the new community transportation co-ordinator. What’s your background in transit?
A: My background in transit comes from my work with the Canadian Red Cross.
I was the assistant manager there for their community health and wellness programs for two years for Simcoe County, which included transportation, like Meals on Wheels and friendly visiting. I oversaw all the operations in Collingwood, Midland, Muskoka, Barrie and south Simcoe.
I was introduced to the world of transportation, which I really enjoyed.
I have a master’s in social justice.
Transportation is an entirely different branch from what I’ve normally done. It was an education for me, and I really loved it. Transportation connects people to everything. I saw how important it was for the clients we served at the Red Cross.
Community is really everything I’m looking for in a position. Helping people is my goal in life.
Q: What are your first impressions of transit and transportation in Collingwood?
A: It was wonderful. I made it a point on my second day to take the bus. I rode all of the routes.
I saw what I was getting myself into. I was pleasantly surprised.
I think transit has been working, but now with a dedicated person that can focus on transportation, I think changes can be made. I don’t see myself as having to fix anything, because it isn’t broken.
Can improvements happen? Of course, in all aspects of life. I’m excited because I know there’s a lot I can start to do.
Q: The town started rolling out on-demand transit in Collingwood in 2023, but was waiting to hire for your position before rolling it out fully. What are your thoughts on a move to on-demand transit? Do you know when it will be rolled out in full?
A: It’s too early to know for sure.
When it was implemented, it was done quickly and there wasn’t enough of an opportunity to show the public how on-demand works, and how it can work well. It is working right now, but I know there can be changes. It’s too soon to say how those changes will look, but I’m excited to figure out what options are available.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love reading; everything and anything.
Yoga is one of my favourite pastimes. I go on a lot of yoga retreats. It became a hobby for me during COVID. I starting watching a lot of yoga videos on YouTube.
I’ve stuck with it.
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: I’m here to listen to everyone.
I understand that sometimes we need to be heard, and I’m always looking for the opportunity to see things from a different perspective.
I think that comes from having two children with disabilities and seeing the world through their eyes, because it’s completely different.
I am interested in hearing, understanding and finding solutions that work for everyone. There’s never going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Finding somewhere we can all agree is a rewarding feeling.
