Wilson seeks re-election as Ingersoll deputy mayor

Lindsay Wilson. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

Lindsay Wilson is looking to represent the people of the Town of Ingersoll for a second term.

“My husband Mike and I are parents to two hockey-loving girls. They enjoy being active in other sports too, so we spend a lot of time together in arenas, sports fields and parks. I can't say I have a ton of time for hobbies lately, but I love walking our sweet yellow lab, Honey, and enjoying my husband's cooking.”

Wilson had worked in the economic development field when she first started on council, supporting small businesses and community recovery through the challenges of the pandemic.

“This gave me a deep appreciation and knowledge of our local community and what conditions are needed for people and businesses to thrive. Three years ago, I transitioned from that role into a Community Impact Manager at a local charity. I saw a disconnect between the effort being put into economic development and how people experienced the local economy in their everyday lives.”

She added the shift from that sector to a charity that aims to solve social issues has given her incredible insight into the interconnectedness of economic health and social health. She has also served on many boards, committees and working groups over the years and continues to do so.

Wilson explained she is seeking re-election as Ingersoll's deputy mayor because she believes there is still a need for the experience and perspective she brings to the role, particularly as several key projects already underway move from planning to implementation.

“Whether it's the MURC, Downtown Enhancement Plan, Health Strategy, etc., these plans will need to be realized with time and resources. I want to be at the table during the pivotal moment for our community when we may have some growing pains and certainly affordability challenges complicate everything. We are also in a unique position to build on the many opportunities and assets that not every community is lucky to have. At a very basic level, I love serving my community and being involved in politics in a way that can really change how we experience everyday life.”

Wilson said affordability remains a concern for residents.

“We may experience it on different scales, but few are immune. While the cost of groceries and gas is far beyond our control, I really believe we need to increase our focus on local economic development. Attracting industry is important, and the town has talented staff who I'm confident will continue those efforts successfully, as we must. In addition, I'd like to see more support provided to small and medium businesses. These are our neighbours, sports team sponsors, service club members and job creators. The revenue generated by small businesses tends to circulate more locally, so we all benefit from their success. As Canada has done as a country, we can as a small town look inward for opportunities to grow and prosper.”

She said she often hears people want to feel more connected to their community, know their neighbours, see kids playing in the street and have things to do without having to leave town.

“That connection is not just a nice-to-have. It's crucial to our physical and mental health and feeling like we are safe and that we belong, especially as we age. We need to strengthen our local economy - that must be a priority. At the same time, we need to focus on ensuring that residents have the support systems in place to navigate turbulence today because the other factors take time to feel, and people deserve some relief sooner rather than later. We may not have the tools for them to feel immediate financial relief, but we can provide places, spaces and services that ensure they are safe and connected.”

Wilson explained she would love to see Ingersoll be a place where people can age well.

“In the past, we heard a lot about housing, and that is still a concern, but the services older adults need, like health care and transportation, really aren't where they need to be. We must play a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of older adults where we can, or advocate to other levels of government where the services are falling short.”

She added she hopes the residents of Ingersoll will re-elect her because of the trust she has built over the past four years.

“I hope they believe how genuinely I want to serve my community and that they value the perspective and experience I bring to the table. I think the news makes it look like politics is all about the person who yells the loudest to get a soundbite on their social media or has a feed full of great photo ops. That's really not how the actual, meaningful work is done. Work gets done when we are prepared, when we have respect for the seat we are given and when we work tirelessly to get what the residents need, and that is what they can continue to expect from me.”