Marilyn Cully is running for Council-At-Large in Thunder Bay.
Marilyn (she/her) is a widow, retired nurse, and licensed real estate agent. She has been on many committees over the years. She simply wants to help the people of Thunder Bay.
Why are you running for this position?
I want to help the people of Thunder Bay.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
A health unit with a police station in the downtown core to help the mental health patients and needy on the streets. The police station with two police who actually walk the beat day and night can be where the action is all the time. A care station with food and an extra health unit for people in need. Being a mental health nurse, I feel this is needed in Thunder Bay's three most crime-related areas.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would put money toward the stations mentioned above, as they are so needed in Thunder Bay: Simpson Street, Cumberland Street and Frederica Street.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Crime and needy
Mental Health
Infrastructure
High taxes
Garbage and snow removal
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I will take phone calls as I have my phone number and emails on all my signs and will also sit down and listen to concerns and create events and fundraisers to create funds to help.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I love simple things like walking the marina, singing karaoke and going to free dances outside or any outside events in winter or soccer and football baseball games. I feel people need more inexpensive events. Thunder Bay has excellent entertainment, and we can utilize our own musicians and any type of entertainment.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women have different perspectives on things than men. A lot of time, they are more family-orientated and include the children. I have worked on many committees over the years, such as JaycettesLyonettes Minor Football, taught Sunday School and see the need for a woman’s influence in sports and somewhat of a gentle touch in all activities.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
To me, it is just giving the whole picture as in the past, most politicians were men and all things were black and white — I mean, somewhat biased. This way, we should have a true picture of a society with a little of a woman’s way of doing things and maybe a lighter touch.
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
Systematic barriers would be getting our point across as more men are always out there to outweigh the situation. We will have to do a lot of research and have conferences with many to get our point across, especially in the finance areas and social aspects of our city.
