Editor's note: BarrieToday is running profile stories on candidates for city council in each of the city's 10 wards. For more election coverage, visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here, where you can also find mayoral profiles and other election news.
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Joy Douglas is ready to work with others if elected Ward 10 councillor in the Oct. 24 Barrie election.
“I truly believe that great cities are built upon the diverse neighbourhoods that comprise them,” she said. “And it is absolutely necessary for neighbourhoods and cities to work together to build a good place for everyone.
“That means a safe, connected, green and inclusive space, a place to invest your time, your money and your future.”
Douglas, 55, is a small business owner/operator and has lived in Ward 10 for 21 years. Married for 28 years, she is the mother of two girls who attended Ward 10 schools.
“I support and promote local businesses whenever and wherever possible and am comfortable making decisions with a small budget and time constraints,” she said. “I excel at working collaboratively and effectively. I am organized, detail-oriented and passionate about being the new voice and face for Ward 10.”
Douglas joins Bryn Hamilton, Steven Mirtsos and Ken Lloyd as candidates in Ward 10.
The incumbent there, Mike McCann, is running for mayor, along with Alex Nuttall, Rob Haverson, Gerry Marshall, Barry Ward and Andrew Gordon.
Jeff Lehman, Barrie’s mayor for almost 12 years, has said he is not seeking re-election.
Douglas has not run for political office before, but she does know about government — having spent many years as a public service employee, working within two school boards.
“My experiences there gave me great insights into the inner workings of a governmental institution and the restrictions within that,” she said.
Despite her long tenure in Ward 10, Douglas said she’s been talking to residents and even sent out a survey to determine their concerns, wants and needs.
These include safer streets, including traffic speed controls, parking, road repairs and improvements to existing Ward 10 parks, including water fountains, splash pads and bicycle racks.
“I’m really passionate about my community and wanting to represent the community that is so important to me,” Douglas said. “I want to be the Ward 10 voice at city hall and champion the solutions that are needed for the issues that concern Ward 10 the most.”
If elected, Douglas would produce an annual community report for every Ward 10 household. It would include updates regarding safer streets and neighbourhoods, public and green spaces, housing and initiatives.
“Residents will be able to get real, verified information including numbers and statistics about investments made, resident case files resolved, community meetings and future initiatives,” she said. “It will be a way to celebrate Ward 10 and keep its residents informed.”
Douglas says Barrie also needs to look outside its borders to find solutions to the problems within.
“As a city we are unique, but not alone in the problems that we face,” she said. “Other Canadian communities are dealing with the same types of issues that we are - including short-term rental problems, unaffordable housing, homelessness and implementing support for residents with mental health or addiction issues.
“Barrie city council needs to look around, research and ask the question – what are other cities doing? Or not doing? Learn from them and be open to new ideas and concepts.”
Douglas also said Barrie deserves a council that shows up, that listens to learn, that uses vision and integrity to make decisions.
“Residents need to feel empowered to be part of the strategies being implemented for short-term fixes needed for today’s issues as well as being involved and invested in long-term goals for tomorrow and the future,” she said.
Nominations close Aug. 19 for the Oct. 24 city election, which elects the next Barrie mayor, 10 ward councillors and school board trustees.
For more information, visit barrie.ca .
