Ever since I
announced that I would be seeking the position of Councillor of the new
Ward 6 – Hanmer & Val Therese in the November Municipal Election, I
have been overwhelmed by the expressions of support I have been receiving
from my friends, neighbours, acquaintances and from people I have never
met before in my life.
The
other day I stopped to look at the community quilt we have hanging up in
the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. As I looked at the landmarks depicted
on the quilt I thought about the 32 wonderful years I’ve lived in Val
Therese. I thought about the thousands upon thousands of people I’ve met
through hockey, soccer, baseball, swimming, badminton, golf, boy scouts,
and so many other organizations that I was drawn into by my children.
I thought about the 23
years of teaching at
St.
Anne
School
in Hanmer, and the many wonderful parents I met who are still living in
this area, now as fellow grandparents. And week after week I meet former
students who are now introducing me to their own children and talking to
me about the good old days when they were in my class.
I
thought about how writing for The Vision, publishing my own web site at
www.valleyeasttoday.ca, and through my role as marketing manager of the
Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre, I am once again coming into contact with
the next generation of parents who are getting involved in the hockey,
soccer, baseball, swimming, badminton, golf, boy scouts and other
activities into which their children are drawing them.
I
thought about how every week I have the opportunity to meet and help so
many wonderful volunteers from the local church groups and community
service organizations. Many of these volunteers have been providing for
the needs of others in the community for as long as I have been living
here.
I
thought about how grateful I am to actually feel as if I am making a
difference in the community in which I live, and for that, I thank all of
the people who are living in
Valley East
today for allowing me to experience this feeling.
There
are many reasons for my decision to run for Council at this stage of my
life. You can read about all of those reasons on my campaign web site at
www.kirwan.ca. But the main reason is that one day recently I sat back and
examined my current situation. I realized that there is no one else in
this community who is in a better position to influence our future.
In
other words, not only is the prospect of representing Hanmer & Valley
East residents as Councillor for Ward 6 very exciting and invigorating to
me, it almost appears as if I am being “called to come forward” at
this time. As corny as it may sound, I actually feel as if this is what I
was meant to do with my life. This is my purpose for being here. This is
my own BIG GOAL IN LIFE. It’s as if everything I have experienced in
life up to now, as well as everything I am doing today, has been preparing
me to live out the final chapter of my life in this kind of leadership
role for my community.
I am connected to every aspect of Hanmer and Val
Therese, as well as to the rest of
Valley East
and Capreol through The Vision Paper, my own internet publications, and
the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. I have a central office at the mall and
I talk to hundreds of local residents every week. There is no one else who
has as comprehensive a network in the community as I do at this time.
The only
thing left to do - in fact, I am convinced it is the only right thing to
do – is to let my name stand for election to the position of Councillor
for Ward 6 – Hanmer & Val Therese so that I can become part of the
Circle of Influence and have a chance to have a direct impact on the
decisions that are being made by City Council.
Therefore,
I will consider it an honour and a privilege if the residents of Ward 6 -
Hanmer & Val Therese choose me as their Councillor in November.
