Clare Latimer: CK Election & Sports Interview
Below are the CK Election and Sports interview responses for Ward 2, council candidate Clare Latimer. Remember to Vote October 22.
Hometown and Ward: I have lived in North Harwich on Fairview Line for most of my life in Chatham-Kent Ward 2
What’s your sports/recreation background?
Paul and I have raised 6 children and have enjoyed utilizing and participating in a variety of sporting opportunities in the community, over the past 31 years in Chatham Kent. These have included soccer, baseball, football, hockey, ball hockey, tennis, badminton, curling , swimming, skating, gymnastics and dance. All of our children currently coach/mentor their own children in hockey or soccer and/or continue to participate in their respective adult house leagues of soccer, baseball, ball hockey dodge ball and Ultimate. I enjoyed a brief 2 year stint, coaching soccer with the Thamesville Soccer Association in the past. We also continue to host our annual “Backyard Pool” swimming lessons, for our own grandchildren and neighbourhood children. I maintain a membership at the local Good Life gym, regularly attending 3x a week, especially since a bad fall on ice, in early 2017. Since that time I have worked diligently to regain my R ankle/foot/knee/leg strength, shedding pounds/inches and growing in flexibility and overall strength. I also enjoy playing in a recreational pickleball league, during 10 months of the year.
What are your thoughts, or what value do you place in sports and recreation for the citizens of Chatham-Kent overall, and/or when showcasing Chatham-Kent to newcomers?
Chatham-Kent has always been so fortunate to have dedicated individuals all across the municipality who organize and maintain a variety of sporting events and/or associations, in their local community. Chatham-Kent is surrounded by water and natural habitats that can be enjoyed informally, year round. Sporting enthusiasts of all natures and background can enjoy Chatham-Kent on foot, cycle and/or via motorized vehicles. With walking trails, bike paths, mobi-beach matts, community splash pads and outdoor fitness parks, Chatham-Kent offers free and accessible opportunities for people of all ages, at any physical activity level, to optimize their wellness, on their own terms.
One of the hot topics leading up to the election, and over the past decade has been a new twin pad arena for Chatham-Kent. Where do you stand on this? What thoughts do you have?
I think this is a great idea, as long as it is “not” constructed on the backs of the taxpayers and/or monopolizes resources that should be directed toward ongoing repair/maintenance/replacement of our current infrastructure (roads/bridges/drains/buildings). This remains a good project for private investors working with community partners, along with our municipal planning/economic development/recreation departments.
Do you have any other ideas or plans that would impact health, wellness, sports, or recreation in Chatham-Kent, and specifically in your Ward?
I would like to see the recommended Age Friendly Community strategies/practises implemented on an ongoing basis when current infrastructure is being updated. eg. flat streetscapes, non-slip surfaces. I would also like to see tangible incentives offered to business, households, communities that implement and/or promote health and wellness practises. eg. Drop Bike – bike share program; Sports equipment trading posts; Community garden and harvesting program; Food share/rescue program
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers and voters?
An accessible, affordable, real time transportation system across Chatham-Kent is something that I would like to see developed over the next four years, in this municipality. This will most likely involve current conventional transportation modes, along with different types of ride-share programs, enabling an expanded and more responsive ie. functional inter-urban transportation system, that optimizes access to school/back-to-work/employment programs, for all.