Stacy Wight is running for Mayor in Kirkland Lake.
Stacy was born and raised in the North and proudly established her career and family here. She has served her community through countless volunteer organizations, including Kabaret Charitable Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. She served one term as a council member and wishes to continue serving her community in the future.
Why are you running for this position?
Finishing my first term on council, I believe our community is ready for a different style of leadership. After a decade in finance and management, I look forward to the challenge of building my community through partnerships and innovative thinking.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
Innovative thinking when it comes to road maintenance is currently a must in our municipality. Similar to many communities in the north, our roads suffer the harsh winter climate and are in various states of disrepair. Seeking the best practices of other communities; perhaps even reaching out to Nordic Communities across the globe would benefit our small northern town.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would use it to run a pilot bus on demand project, such as per the communities of Guelph, Coburg and Sault Ste. Marie. This service could assist those on fixed incomes, mobility issues and lack of personal vehicles.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Declining population and lack of business and industry has plagued our community for over a decade. To face this challenge, we need to expand our current Community Improvement Program not only to encourage new business but also to support our long standing owners and operators as well.
Other than the official communication methods (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
If I am successful in my bid as Mayor, I will hold regular round table discussions with community stakeholders and members of the public to ensure all voices are being heard. I will insist on a social media presence for the office of the Mayor, as it is vital in today's society to be available on line. I will hold regular office hours to ensure interested members of the public can stop in to speak with the Mayor when they wish to.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
My favourite thing is to be outdoors within our community. We are surrounded by lakes, walking trails, parks and scenery I never tire of seeing!
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
According to 2016 data, women out number men within Ontario. It's vital that our community leaders reflect those numbers. Often women approach the decision making process from a different point of view and every sector of the population has value at leadership tables.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
This term, I've been on the receiving end of unwanted and unwelcomed comments literally at the council table. I see a "feminist city" as a place in time when women and other minorities will no longer need to deal with comments that belittle their contribution to their communities, work places and volunteer spaces. I see it when all staff, administrators and council members condemn these words and actions immediately in the moment to ensure we all feel safe and valued in our positions.
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:
To allow or more women's voices in decision making, we need to accommodate council to the realities of women's lives such as accommodating meeting schedules to the realities of women's lives, and allowing for more virtual participation in meetings..
Social Media Handles
Where can people find you?
Meet and Greet October 6, 2022 7pm at Kirkland Lake Legion, Branch 87
