Drew Simpson: CK Election and Sports Interview
Below is Drew Simpson, Ward 6 Council Candidate’s answers to our CK Election and Sports Survey. Remember to vote on October 22.
Name: Drew Simpson
Hometown and Ward: Ward 6 Chatham
What’s your sports/recreation background? Cross Country, Wrestling, Martial Arts, Cardio and Light Fitness
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?
Sports are necessary and should be easily accessible in one area for the community to access and sign up for. I am recommending that all sports and recreation signups for all ages and genders be conducted through the municipality for connivence either in person or online. Easy access to creating new sports leagues will also be encouraged for the migrant population, new comers, area residents, and smaller groups whom wish to try out and or assemble new leagues and sport teams while cutting on advertising and promotion.
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?
It should be within the interest of private business to generate income and for the municipality to allow the construction of such a facility. I am sure that $1,000,000 or more can easily be generated by sending a few letters to NHL stars, family members of the stars and or other philanthropists for donations. I would recommend as councillor a team be assembled to conduct a donation campaign to entice major donors.
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 be in direct contact with St.Clair College Thames Campus and to request that a varsity team be assembled in Chatham. We need to stand out amongst the other colleges and universities and one way is through a varsity program endorsed by the community, this can be in the form of assuming responsibility to have the teams commute by subsidized city transit. The welfare program is also a key asset where a subsidy program for all Ontario Works and ODSP recipients or low income earners can entice citizens into the gym of their choice. The last option for all citizens is a energy fitness tax program where the amount of energy expended in a year allows citizens to earn a tax credit which can be used for the amount paid out for a gym membership (this would be an experimental program for this entire community).
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers and voters?
As a councillor I will be pressing the provincial MPP to download $200,000,000 (est) extra into funding for this area from the municipal partnership fund, the Ontario Infrastructure Bank, the trillium fund and any other fund that exists and should they refuse I will be moving for council to withhold uploading of funds to the province until our community is given the income it deserves, I wont take “NO” for an answer!