Editor's note: OrilliaMatters has asked council candidates in neighbouring Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn townships to provide a synopsis of why they are running in the Oct. 24 municipal election. The following was submitted by Jen Fisher, who is running for council in Ramara Township in Ward 2. For more election coverage — including candidate profiles and other election news — visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here.
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Jen Fisher is launching her bid to represent the residents of Ramara’s Ward 2 for a second term.
“Folks in Ramara are looking for strong representation, someone who will listen to their concerns, stand up and act on them, get things done.” says Fisher.
The 43-year-old special education worker has served as councillor for Ward 2 since 2020, when she was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the now-deputy mayor, Joe Gough. She lives in Ward 2 with her husband, Brian.
The pair have two adult children, and three grandchildren. “Family is key to myself and my constituents.”
In fact, knowing her constituents is a point of pride. “I was brought on to council in the first year of COVID during the first lockdown. Our meetings were all virtual, and for most people, in person engagement was not top of mind.” But, Fisher beams, that didn’t stop her. “I made it a priority to listen to the people in Ward 2, by email, over the phone, text messages, even on Facebook.”
“The pandemic didn’t just make people’s concerns go away. It was still important that I be there for them.”
Since Fisher’s appointment the ambitious councillor intends to tackle a range of issues, which she details on her campaign website here. Among them are affordable housing, expanded internet access, and food sustainability.
“A lot of people in Ramara don’t live near a grocery store. To stock their pantry, they have to drive some distance, incurring those skyrocketing costs.”
That’s why, if elected, Fisher says she’ll support the food sustainability program that the township has recently launched. “With the price of a full cart of groceries being what it is, providing resources to be self-sustaining is really important for the community.”
Fisher notes that the township has made headway on expanding access to high-speed internet, but “there’s a lot of work still to do, and I’m going to be championing that as a priority going into the upcoming term”
With respect to the national housing crisis, Fisher promises, she’ll, “use what tools local councils have in their belts to help address the problem for both current and future residents of Ramara.”
Overall, Fisher believes she’s earned her ward’s votes for another term in office.
“Council has made some really strong progress for the township,” she says. “...I’m proud of the work I’ve done. I’m ready to keep working.”