Mayoral Candidate Marjorie Crew 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 Marjorie Crew’s responses. Crew is running for Mayor of Chatham-Kent.

1. Background in sports and recreation:

I have not personally coached, but we were active parents with children in sports so we know first hand know the importance of sports and affordability.

Recreation and access to being involved in organized local sports is important part of building strong, healthy children with confidence in our society. As the chair of East Side Pride, I have continually worked with our organization and our partners to ensure that children are exposed to recreation and work to remove barriers that may prevent access. Being involved in sports teaches kids respect, teamwork, and fair play and provides the building blocks for good citizens of tomorrow. Every child should have access to recreation and organized activities across our community.
As Chair of East Side Pride we have provided the following recreational activities at no cost.

• Sponsor free swimming for all kids who want it – drop in lessons.
• Sponsor kids for St Vincent De Paul Camp
• Created and co- organized “Cops Link with Kids – a golf mentoring program that ran for 7 years
• Sponsor individual kids in organized sports – including travel sponsorship
• Sponsor daily swimming at Orville Wright pool

Listing all the boards that I have been on or still on all have to do with overall health and wellbeing of our community. Current and past examples are: East Side Pride, Crime Prevention Board, WISH Centre Board, Block Parents, CK Drug Awareness Council, CK Public Health Board etc.

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 always supported active, healthy communities during my 8 years on municipal council and will continue to do so, whatever path my future follows. We need to have access to adequate and reasonable recreational facilities. Partnerships with community groups or organizations as well as different levels of government have proven to be the best way to get facilities or improvements that our community wants and needs. This is also the most efficient method of funding. Listening to community members and user groups will provide the feedback needed.

Community partnerships that work together effectively build community pride and ownership.

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

I will continue to work with partners and administration to achieve and enhance the following throughout Chatham-Kent (but certainly not limited to)

• Active communities
• Bike paths
• Trails
• Adequate recreational and sports facilities
• Family involvement
• Walking communities
• Green spaces
• Accessible recreational actives
• Environmentally sound community
• Parks

4. Anything else you’d like to add?

Supporting the building of active, healthy and safe community not only supports healthy lifestyles but is an economic driver as well as an attraction for business to Chatham-Kent. Access to trails, activities, sports, adequate facilities and community involvement for children, families and seniors is often a factor for relocation to a community. Quality of life is a need, not a want for the families in 2014.

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