All Candidates Forum

Last night was the all candidates forum at the Friendship Centre.  If you were there - thanks!  It was great to see and talk with lots of you.  For the benefit of those who couldn't attend, I am posting a transcript of my 3 minute opening speech.  Here goes:

Good evening, and thank you for taking the time to come here tonight.  My name is Heather Francis and I hope to be your representative on council. Let me tell you a bit about myself.

I am originally from just south of Morden, so I grew up here.  I attended Morden Collegiate where I graduated with highest honours.  During high school I worked right here at the Friendship Centre with Pat and Karen.  I was honoured to receive the Young Citizen of the Year award.

I attended Providence College and the University of Manitoba, where I received a Bachelor’s degree.  During university I spent my summers working as the Corn & Apple office assistant.  After graduation I worked for the University of Manitoba as the Academic Orientation Coordinator.

Currently I am at home with my 4 children – Rowan, Zach, Levi and Gideon, where I am learning advanced skills in patience, instruction and mediation.  My husband, James, works for WBS Construction.  I volunteer at the Alliance Church as a Sunday School teacher and as a Health Ministries team member, as well as for the Caring & Sharing program.  I organize a local moms’ playgroup and women’s recreational soccer league.

I’m not your typical candidate for town council.  Indeed, I’ve learned in these past few weeks that a few people consider “atypical” to mean “unsuited.”  But the way I see it, I’m not running for council in order to join a club, I’m running so that I can use my strengths to serve you.

I strongly believe that Morden is the best place to live, work and raise a family.  I also believe that when you value something, as I value our town, you should put your words into action.

A wise woman once said: “Giving kids clothes and food is one thing, but it’s much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people.”  I want my children to look back someday and be able to say that their mother made a difference because she stepped out to serve others.

We are fortunate to live in a society where different perspectives and opinions are welcomed, as I believe diversity makes us all stronger.  I would like to see Morden’s diversity reflected in our town council.

I’m not going to make you a bunch of promises about what I will accomplish on council.  What I can promise you is that I will always take the time to do my RESEARCH on each issue that is brought to the council.  I will be HONEST and conduct myself with INTEGRITY in my role as councillor.  And I will always LISTEN to you. 

I read about a conversation between two politicians – one moving on to a new position and the other one taking her place.  The new politican questioned, “How is it that you were able to see so many visitors, and yet leave the office at 5:00pm each day?  I’m never home before 9:00!”  The other replied, “You talk back.”  (Pause)  I believe that council members should LISTEN more than they speak.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many people and the overriding theme I have observed is the wish for council to seek alternative and innovative solutions to problems, and to be proactive rather than reactive.  Very briefly, some of the issues that I am committed to include ensuring optimal housing for all ages, encouraging responsible development, caring for our environment, recruiting and maintaining workers through the support of new and existing businesses, pursuing sports and recreational opportunities and building upon the strong foundation already laid in preserving Morden’s unique identity.

If my approach is one that you can support, please consider voting for me as your voice on council.  Thank you.