Council Candidate Bob Myers Talks Chatham-Kent Sports

CKSN asked all candidates running for Chatham-Kent council and mayor, to give us their backgrounds in sports and recreation, and decribe their goals and views for not only sports and recreation in Chatham-Kent, but making Chatham-Kent a healthier, and more active place to live.

The Chatham-Kent Municipal election day is October 27, 2014.

Here are council candidate Bob Myers’ responses. Myers is running for council in Ward 6 – Chatham.

1. Background in sports and recreation:

• Schools: I have coached for 30 years in all areas of soccer, basketball, volleyball, track & field
• Community: I have coached minor baseball, girls’ softball, minor hockey. In the past I was on the executive of Chatham Minor Baseball Association and did a stint as Treasurer. I was on the organization committee for the Baseball Ontario Annual Convention held in Chatham in 1995.
• Personal: I have and continue to be an active golfer. Used to be in a squash league for many years. I played two-pitch for a few years, and played rugby for one year. I used to be a runner and have competed in road races.
• Children: Both our son and daughter are grown with children of their own but were always active in sports and continue to be so today. Our son played school sports, minor baseball, minor hockey, golf, and squash. Our daughter played school sports, softball, ringette, golf, camp leader, and swimming.
• Grandchildren: We have 4 grandchildren ages 7 – 13. They are involved in baseball, soccer, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics.

2. What specific ideas or goals do you have for Chatham-Kent, to improve or maintain recreational programs and facilities, and support our athletes and sports organizations? Or to help build opportunities for future growth in these areas?
I have been actively working with administration to have improvements made to the Memorial Arena dressing rooms. I shall seek Council support for this when the report comes to Council. I have supported all sports or recreation plans such as the new complex to be built in Dresden, splash pads, various sports organizations, and recent renovations to the Jaycee pool in Chatham.

Three very popular and growing sports continue to be soccer, girls’ hockey, and slo pitch. We need to work with the private sector to enhance those facilities. Slopitch has the potential to be bring in a great deal of tourism dollars – only have to look at Slopitch city in Dorchester or Niagara Falls. We have many vacant, large lots due to manufacturing closures. If we could convince those owners to build, or add facilities on those properties, perhaps Council could provide a tax credit on that property. We also need to look at the best use of our arenas to ensure that those in need have acceptable times. As mentioned above, until we can afford a new arena, improvements at Memorial are a must!

3. How will you work to make Chatham-Kent a healthier, more active place to live?

This has to be a combined effort by everyone; not up to government alone. I would prefer to see Council set more defined priorities and spend money in those concentrated areas instead of doing too little because of too many projects. For example, we shouldn’t be spending money on bike lanes here and there. We should we working on off road bike paths and trails. Great example where we have done this and continue to do so are the trails in Mitchell’s Bay. With private/public partnerships real advancements can be done. And there are many areas within urban areas where this could also be done.

I also sit on the Board of Health and we are moving towards a smoking ban in all parks, sports fields, and beaches. This will be a great move forward, but will need support from public. We have an active Food Policy committee which is providing guidance on healthy food choices. Community gardens offer an opportunity for those that don’t have an option to have a garden to enjoy growing their own vegetables. That ownership will change habits.

4. Anything else you’d like to add? 

Government cannot do all for all. We all depend on the generosity of sponsors for a great deal of our sports programs and facilities. And we have many great sponsors in Chatham-Kent. We also have to be prepared to spend through our tax dollars in order to have a healthy and active community. While I am not a member of the Optimist Club of Chatham, I volunteer with this group as often as I can because of their strong support for youth programs. Participation in sports helps to provide a lifelong appreciation for a healthy lifestyle.

What did you think of Council Candidate Bob Myers’ responses? Let us know in the comments below!