Regional councillor Nancy Stewart begins her re-election campaign

Regional Councillor Nancy Stewart is seeking reelection in Wards 3 and 4. Stewart is well known in the wards where she served for two terms as local councillor prior to her election as regional councillor in 2003.

"During the past three years, as regional councillor, I undertook a very heavy workload. In addition to my constituency work and my duties on Caledon council and Peel Regional council, I served on 17 committees and four boards of directors. I was able to make a positive contribution in each of these positions and gained valuable experience.

"My corporate background has provided me a business perspective which has proven to be a real asset in my work as a regional councillor, particularly in the areas of finance and long term planning. I have been vigilant when it comes to the financial viability of expenditures both large and small. I have asked, and will continue to ask, the tough questions when it come to financial commitments and planning. We must provide the best possible resources and services for every resident of Caledon, but we must take

care to live within our means, and get the highest return possible for every taxpayer's dollar. Finances and economic development are a real challenge, but I welcome challenges, and I'm well know for my determination and ability to be creative, move forward, and get things done.

"For three years in the early 1990s, prior to my election to Caledon council, I led our communities' opposition to the establishment of a mega-dump in Caledon. It's not too often that a community can fight an $85 million provincial project and

win. But here in Caledon we were determined; we presented alternatives, and we won. The experience I gained in the area of waste management has served me well at the regional table where I serve as vice-chair of the waste management committee. Caledon's green space must be defended as Toronto continues its seemingly never-ending search for a place to put its garbage."

During this past term council has been able to increase capital spending as a percentage of the annual budget to better fund the development of much needed infrastructure. Stewart said they've also been able to approve the budget early in the year in order to allow staff to maximize the time to complete projects. The Community Work Plan developed by council and the community at the beginning of this past term has allowed staff and council to move ahead on projects such as the Caledon East arena, the Valleywood Library and the Bolton Skateboard Park. At the Regional level, the ground-breaking for the Walker Road seniors' addition will take place early in October. This will provide much needed seniors housing, allowing seniors to stay in the community.

"I have a strong commitment to my community. Whether it's Caledon's trails, Headwaters Hospital board, Caledon Heritage Foundation, or the Caledon Canada Day celebrations, my time is spent promoting community involvement and fund-raising. I was appointed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ( TRCA ) to the Humber Watershed Alliance. For the past three years I have been a member of the TRCA board of directors. I like to take a hands-on role, and enjoy tree planting community gardening, and cleanup days. These projects all involve people working together, taking pride in their community, providing a positive and healthy environment for themselves and their community, and they all help to make Caledon a unique and special place in which to live.

Stewart began her education at the old, two-room Castlederg School, and moved to Macville when it opened. She started high school at Bramalea and finished at Mayfield when it opened. As a teenager, she was very active in the 4-H homemaking and agricultural clubs. She was Peel County's dairy princess from 1971 to 1973, and Bolton fair queen in 1972. She received her bachelor of applied science from the University of Guelph, and an MBA from York University.

For more than 15 years she has held management and marketing positions with large Canadian and multinational corporations.

"I led the charge against the provincial government's Interim Waste Authority during the successful three-year battle against the megadump in the 1990s," she said.

"For six years I served as area councillor, and for the past three years I have served as your regional councillor. I live in Palgrave with my husband John Milligan.

"My roots in Caledon go back a long way. My family have lived and farmed here for five generations. I grew up here, and know from personal experience the value of living in a community like ours. I am running for re-election to regional council because I am committed to ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy this same positive, healthy environment. I'm proud of Caledon. Caledon will always be home to me.

"I have a strong commitment to our community. I take the trust placed in me by my constituents very seriously. The decisions made by me as a councillor are based on what is good for Caledon and its residents, not on what may be politically advantageous. I have always been honest and straightforward when dealing with my constituents. I do not make promises that cannot be kept. Our town and my constituents have always been and will always be my first priority.

"My pledge to you is that I will continue to be a hardworking, responsible councillor, working for you and for the betterment of our community."

You can contact Stewart at 905-880-3827 or visit her Web site, nancystewart.ca.