Leslie Fields
Long-time Assiginack politician and retired school teacher Leslie Fields is seeking another term on council.
An active member of the municipality who enjoys working with people, volunteering, gardening and problem solving, Ms. Fields sits on numerous boards and organizations in her municipality and throughout Manitoulin, including representing Assiginack on the Community Policing Advisory Committee.
“Although I have a positive attitude, I can be stubborn, pig-headed and opinionated, but I will not make promises or commitments that I cannot keep,” she says.
Listing the things she is proud of, Ms. Fields noted the Assiginack Public School, its increasing enrolment and top notch education; the municipal staff “for their dedication to duty, leadership, pride in their work and great sense of humour;” the fire department and the hours of training they willingly commit; the business community; Assiginack’s volunteers; the summer residents of the municipality; and “our artists, musicians, athletes, playwrites, quilters and crafters who elevate and enhance our way of life.”
Ms. Fields said she believes in short and long-term planning. “With limited financial resources, we must research, plan and prioritize our initiatives,” she said, adding that council must set and work within a realistic budget.
“I believe that we must be financially accountable to our residents (permanent and seasonal),” she continued. “Council and staff must continue to search diligently for cost savings that do not negatively affect quality, efficiency or safety.”
Ms. Fields says it is important for council to distinguish between needs and wants and to continue to search for and locate funding opportunities from senior levels of government.
Over the last term of council, Ms. Fields noted the renovations to the arena, the creation of a recycling depot at the landfill, the addition of solar panels to the municipal garage, the purchase and renovation of the new library building, completed boat launch ramps throughout the municipality, an increased number of kilometres of road that received hard topping, the new and improved Cardwell Street, upgrading of sidewalks and the new horse ring at the fairgrounds.
“We must guard property tax dollars to ensure that our primary source of funding is protected from erosion by further downloading,” she continued. “And we need to continue to work with our Island partners to explore ways in which we may be able to collaborate further.”
“We need to continue to have solid research, discussions and debate at the council table that will support positive action once decisions have been made,” Ms. Fields said. “And to continue to increase events and activities that we enjoy as a community and that bring visitors to share in them in Assiginack.”
Ms. Fields would also like to see continued road improvements; to complete renovations at the new library building and reconfigure space within the municipal office; to complete the recycling depot and landfill expansion project; “and to critically examine our very precious waterfront and work towards its rejuvenation to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community.”
