One of 26 candidates vying to win a seat on city council
Niagara This Week has reached out to every Niagara Falls city councillor and regional councillor candidate and asked them to fill out the below questionnaire.
This is how the candidate responded.
NAME: Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg.
OCCUPATION: Funeral director, owner and operator of Patterson Funeral Home.
ADDRESS: 8883 Niagara River Parkway Niagara Falls.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: ruth-ann@ruth-ann.ca
POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: Niagara Falls city councillor.
PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Business Improvement Association board of directors, Brock University, Niagara Health Foundation board of directors.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?
Helping people is what I do. I love helping everyone find solutions to everyday issues. I listen to people’s concerns and issues and make it my priority to find solutions. I get things accomplished! I promise to give you a strong, passionate voice and dedicated leadership.
HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?
We all have a right to be heard and respected. We live in a city with great people that make up our diverse and growing community. An important part of community is listening and being attentive to all residents, ensuring they have a voice; I intend to be that voice.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
1. Fiscal responsibility and financial accountability. We need to prioritize keeping taxes and city fees as low as possible, without jeopardizing current service standards.
2. Housing affordability. We need to focus on finding practical and sustainable solutions to our housing issues.
3. Our roads and infrastructure.
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
1. Meet and acquaint myself with city staff.
2. Look at innovative, efficient and effective ways to spend taxpayers’ dollars better.
3. Get a thorough grounding on our city’s official plan along with the recent urban boundary expansion to ensure that the plans will address housing affordability issues.
To see more municipal election coverage, visit niagarathisweek.com/niagara-news/municipal-election/.