Mayoral Candidate Jeff Bultje 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 mayoral candidate Jeff Bultje’s responses. Myers is running for mayor of Chatham-Kent.

1. Background in sports and recreation:

I have coached grade school boys’, city league soccer for about 5 or 6 years. I have done an annual soccer shoe and soccer uniform campaign for Haiti. I have also sponsored youth soccer teams from Multi Construction. I participate in recreational hockey on Saturday nights and also in pond hockey weather permitting.

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 would like to start planning for a sports centre with rink pads and aqua centre, soccer fields, baseball fields; a one-stop sports centre. I want to make sports or phys-ed mandatory in schools, especially in the older grades. I would like to start the process of planning proper bike paths, like in the Netherlands.

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

I would like to start lunchtime rowing club on the Thames River. I would also like to make good safe biking paths connecting to other communities; one that isn’t attached to the road. There should be more accessible information about current sports leagues such as volleyball and tennis, how to join, and all the other relevant information. All sports/health information should be put together in a brochure and also online.

4. Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to make the walking paths nicer by having more tree coverage. It’s nice to have shade when you want to walk on a hot day. It would also be good to have a brochure with all the possible walking paths, bike trails and public forests. Not even all the locals are familiar with what their community may offer. Sports for kids is expensive. Not sure if there already exists such a thing but it would be great if there was an annual sports equipment swap and sale.

What did you think of Mayoral Candidate Jeff Bultje’s responses? Let us know in the comments below!