ThoroldToday will be profiling every candidate in the upcoming municipal and school board elections on Oct. 24. Today: Former city councillor Shawn Wilson.
After sitting out the last municipal election, former city councillor Shawn Wilson hopes to get re-elected once again.
“I became sick so I didn’t run in 2018,” says Wilson, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “Now I’m better and I want to run again. I want to contribute to my city.”
Wilson was a Thorold City Councillor from 2006 until 2018. He says he's always had a passion for the local community.
“I was a volunteer firefighter for many years,” Wilson says. “Talking and communicating with residents, whether it’s on Pine Street, at Tim Hortons, or at the grocery store, I just love to hear from residents. I love speaking with them.”
Wilson, who is 52 years old, works at the transportation department of the Niagara region and his vision for Thorold is one of inclusivity.
“That entails room for seniors, room for students, room for everyone,” he says.
An important issue for Wilson is the city’s spending.
“We have to get our budget under control,” Wilson says. “In the last four years they’ve gone on a spending spree and I think that needs to change."
Wilson says It’s imperative for the city to encourage more businesses to come to Thorold. He would also like the city to work on its issues with students.
“I think encouraging students to live primarily near the university is better for Thorold residents,” he says. “I don’t think you’re ever going to get rid of the students completely out of the community because there are students that are just going to want to live in rental houses but the more you can encourage and develop student housing near the university, the better for our community.”
There's been some controversy on social media because Wilson's wife and current city councillor Victoria Wilson is also running this election, but Wilson explains that they've been separated since February.
“I’m running on my merits and my past history," he says. "That’s what I’m running on. It’s based on my experience and my knowledge of how politics work.”
It’s this expertise that has served Wilson well.
“I’ve always had a common sense approach to dealing with issues, tax issues, or development issues,” Wilson says. “We’ve always had to those and I have a great sense of how to deal with these issues."
His message to voters is loud and clear: "I’m back and I’m ready to serve the community again.”
