Gorlick makes it three in the race for Woodstock mayor

Aaron Gorlick. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

Aaron Gorlick is turning 54 this year. He has three children, two dogs and a few cats, and he wants to be the next mayor of Woodstock.

“We live in the historic northwest corner of Woodstock in a beautiful old Queen Anne replica built nearly 150 years ago. Interestingly, I wouldn’t be the first, or even the second mayor to live in this house.”

The two mayors who lived in his house were John White in 1903, and then Michael Harding exactly 100 years later in 2003.

“I’m definitely a multi-hyphenate. I started in the service industry as a host, server and bartender, and quickly worked my way into management roles. Working in the service industry taught me a lot about listening and understanding what people need and want.

From there, Gorlick moved into the corporate retail world, where he held several key management positions.

“I’ve directed large teams through projects, and budgeted business worth well over $1 billion annually. For the last 10 years, I’ve spent designing and delivering intuitive software solutions that span multiple industries.” 

He added he loves music and theatre and plays several instruments.

“I even taught piano lessons for a time, and I’ve been on stage in theatres across western Ontario. Supporting local arts is very close to my heart.” 

Gorlick explained he has always wanted to run for local office since as long as he can remember.

“I’ve watched as federal and provincial levels of government polarized people into opposing camps, and words my great-grandfather told me as a child remain with me, more relevant now than ever before: you can’t create paradise on earth. Nobody can. But you can create it within your own acre, with the help of your neighbours.”

He added he wants to show everybody there’s a better way.

“A way that listens to what residents want and need without pitting them against each other. As mayor, I would use my experience in software delivery to give all registered voters access to a polling tool. It will be a way for the people to speak directly to city council, so the top issues on people’s minds are never ignored.”

Gorlick said as he speaks to constituents across the city, there are a few standout issues he would investigate right out of the gate. 

“Event spaces and public facilities have come up a lot. When elected, I promise to conduct a deep dive into the budgets and allocations for facilities such as swimming pools, which currently lack the breadth to serve our population.”

He mentioned Beth Beaumont, who runs the Facebook group Oxford County - Community Events.

She notes Woodstock needs exciting events.

“This means having venues available that can support these events. Being in the theatre community, it’s with firsthand experience that I tell you our venues are scarcer than most cities of our size and we’re growing rapidly. I’ll make sure to give this the lens it deserves.” 

Gorlick said he would also look into cost of living, including some analysis on farm-to-table expansions.

“Our grocery stores are filled with products that could be locally sourced but instead are trucked into town, damaging roads unnecessarily. The import costs alone should justify exploring better local options and a more robust and accessible farm-to-consumer marketplace.” 

He added one of the hardest problems to solve in Woodstock is homelessness and drug addiction.

“The issues are complex, crossing the boundaries of mental health, community safety and the perception of social degradation. I’ll give this the attention it deserves, as I believe there’s a way to consolidate help for those who want it, creating a comprehensive housing and treatment initiative that in the end would free up valuable downtown property and decrease our business vacancy rates dramatically, which in turn puts more dollars into the city coffers.”

Gorlick said he is the right person for the job because he is part of the community, not part of a party.

“I’m ready to represent all of the disenfranchised and unheard citizens who want nothing more than to be listened to, and to live within their own one acre of paradise.

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