I met with Tim O’Brien in a Zoom interview last week. You may recognize his name as he has been a trustee with the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) this term of office, the candidate with the most votes in that race in 2018.
A Burlington resident for 34 years, he was a music teacher (retired in 2014), and his election website is now live at https://timobrienforward2.com.
Tim has been out talking with residents and hears mostly concerns about intensification and coyotes. He understands that the intensification issue is a complex one and noted a number of factors that could be helpful in strengthening Burlington’s position, in an environment where the Provincial Policy Statement “overrides everything.” As well as doing his research locally, he has contacted others to understand the possibilities. With regard to coyotes, his message is “safety first.” He suggested that we may need to “develop some kind of rural attitude to animals” and provided some suggestions about how to educate residents and live in “assertive harmony” with wildlife. He is sensitive to the heritage registration and designation concerns he’s heard and feels that more education is required. Several downtown buildings (eight) were proposed to be added to the Municipal Heritage Register in a community planning report this summer. Tim noted the tight timelines involved and feels that better communication can help people understand the distinctions in protection of heritage resources and avoid surprises.
Community building is important to Tim. He doesn’t think we’ve lost that sense of small town in a big city, but he sees opportunities for the arts, which have “held this community together well.” Consultation is important. One of the examples he gave was related to the use of parkland, including leash-free dog parks, and the strong feelings in the community on both sides of the issue.
Asked about the strengths he would bring to council, Tim noted his time on the HCDSB, which includes experience with budgets, agreements, capital expenditures, procedural matters, etc. He has partnership ideas that he feels the municipality can pursue. His father was a councillor in Sarnia and Tim learned early to listen, respond, and be on the ground for the people every day. “I can do that.” Prompt turnaround is expected of trustees and Tim seems very committed to that type of follow-through.
Keith Demoe, Lisa Kearns, and Tim O’Brien are the candidates for councillor in Ward 2.
