Van Wyk hoping to serve East Zorra-Tavistock for a second term
By Lee Griffi
Steven Van Wyk is hoping voters will send him back to East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) council for a second term come the municipal election on Oct. 26.
Van Wyk has lived in the Tavistock area for many years and has always enjoyed being involved in the community. Professionally, he works in the precast concrete industry where he is involved in quality assurance, engineering, manufacturing and long-term planning.
“My work has given me a strong appreciation for the importance of making decisions based on sound information, planning and getting good value from the resources available,” he said.
Outside of work and council, he spends much of his time with his family.
“I enjoy being active, running and spending time outdoors, and I particularly enjoy being involved in my children's activities and sports. I value the sense of community that exists in Tavistock, and that is a big part of why I enjoy serving on council.”
Van Wyk added he is running for re-election because he believes East Zorra-Tavistock is in a strong position but needs to continue making thoughtful decisions about where the community is heading.
“My focus is on maintaining strong municipal finances, planning for our future infrastructure and community needs, and continuing to look for opportunities to improve recreation and quality of life in Tavistock.”
He said having a strong financial foundation gives EZT the ability to plan and make investments that benefit the community without losing sight of affordability for taxpayers. Van Wyk added one of the biggest issues facing the township is making sure it continues to look well beyond the current budget cycle.
“We need to plan for infrastructure renewal, future capital requirements and the needs of a growing community. Maintaining healthy reserves and strong long-term financial planning will give council the flexibility to deal with those challenges while still being able to invest in the things that matter to residents,” Van Wyk said.
Van Wyk said recreation will continue to be an important priority.
“Recreation facilities and programs contribute significantly to the quality of life in our community, and we should continue looking for practical opportunities to improve what we have while planning for what we will need in the future.”
He added he brings four years of experience on council, along with a professional background that is very focused on planning, quality, problem-solving and responsible decision making.
“I try to approach council decisions by looking at both the immediate issue and the longer-term consequences. Municipal decisions can have impacts for decades, so I believe it is important to look ahead rather than simply respond to whatever issue is in front of us at the time.”
He said he believes in listening to residents and considering different perspectives before making decisions.
“My goal is to represent Tavistock responsibly, maintain strong finances, plan for the future and continue to support initiatives that improve our community.
“I am proud to represent Ward 1 and appreciate the opportunity to serve the residents of Tavistock. I believe that keeping the township on a strong financial foundation allows us to plan for the future and invest in the recreation and community amenities that will make Tavistock an even better place to live.”
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