Candidates for council
Sharon Alkenbrack
Sharon Alkenbrack Making Kagawong her home since 1993, this retired bank manager loves her community and the ‘community minded feeling’ within it. Having served eight years on council (2000 to 2008), Sharon Alkenbrack feels Kagawong is “the place to visit—the place to be.” “Council has some interesting projects coming up,” stated Ms. Alkenbrack, “and I’d like to be involved.” Some of these projects include waterfront upgrades, economic development and water. Ms. Alkenbrack said water fees “need to be controlled or find a way to bring more people on the system to share the costs.” In her role as chair of Billings Economic Development, Ms. Alkenbrack has (along with many other community volunteers) been instrumental in the design and implementation of several projects. Some of which include the Big Game Board, Cedar Maze, Rock Maze, Daffodil Festival, Great Scarecrow Hunt, White Pine Walk and most recently, Riverbend Stage. “We must develop the cultural base,” shared Ms. Albenbrack. The next big project is to set up portable shops along the boardwalk to enable artists to showcase their works. Proposed plans for a waterfront development is “really interesting,” said Ms. Alkenbrack. The Township, along with members of the Waste Management Committee, must continue with improvements and recycling initiatives at the landfill site, she said. “Billings has the greatest amount of roads on the Island,” said Ms. Alkenbrack. “It takes a lot of money to effectively and efficiently maintain them.” Maintenance of the hiking trails at Bridal Veil Falls is also on Ms. Albenkrack’s list. With Bridal Veil Falls being one of the main attractions of visitors to the village, it is in everyone’s best interests to ensure it is a priority. When Ms. Alkenbrack held the position of president of the Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA) several years ago, Kagawong was home to two of the top three tourist attractions to Manitoulin Island: Bridal Veil Falls and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. “I love thinking of ideas to bring people to the community,” shared Ms. Alkenbrack. The variety of things to do is one of the features Ms. Alkenbrack feels attract people to Billings Township. With the number of young families moving to the area, “children can enjoy the mazes and game board, spend time outdoors walking the trails, beach and falls.” Some areas where improvement could be made have to do with items on the agenda at council meetings. “They should be brought forward and discussed at the meeting, not prior, so people understand how we came to a decision,” stated Ms. Alkenbrack. The website, she stated, “has to be more effective,” including coming events. A founding member of the Manitoulin Art Tour, Ms. Alkenbrack is also dispatcher for the Billings Volunteer Fire Department. Ms. Alkenbrack is visible in the community she loves. Being involved in many projects and activities, she was featured in the Manitouin West Recorder as a Volunteer of the Year in 2010.
