Council Candidate Doug Sulman 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 Doug Sulman’s responses. Parsons is running for council in Ward 6 – Chatham.

1. Background in sports and recreation:

I grew up in Chatham and was active in minor athletics at the recreational travel and high school level myself. My three children were active in minor sports, travel and junior teams and competitive figure skating. I coached ball hockey, was the treasurer for a travel hockey team, participated in fund raising from making mini pizzas to working Bingos. I sponsored teams and figure skating events. I have done numerous pro bono (free) legal work for athletic teams and organizations.

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?

As a Municipal Councillor I have fought for improvements to Memorial and Erickson Arenas: I worked for several years to have the Mud Creek path extended through the Hydro property to Keil. I got the Allin tennis courts resurfaced, and got the Jaycee Pool refurbished instead of closed. As the President and Director of the Rotary Club I have been active in the development of Rotary Park into one of the finest baseball facilities in Southwestern Ontario.

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

With the knowledge and experience I have, I hope to continue to do the type of things listed in the above paragraphs.

4. Anything else you’d like to add?

My current “pet project” is the redevelopment of the former Kinsmen Auditorium lands into a better parking facility for a Memorial Arena with a green passive park buffering it, coordinated with a soccer field at Kiwanis Stadium and either a splash pad or pool at the site of the former Memorial Pool.

What did you think of Council Candidate Doug Sulman’s responses? Let us know in the comments below!