Stratford Gazette All Candidates Forum

This is the synopsis of my appearance at the Municipal Forum:

“I think Stratford is worth fighting for,” responded Lesley Walker-Fitzpatrick, when questioned whether she would support the city again spending taxpayers’ money to try to stop Wal-Mart from building in the east end. 

The big box retailer has a reputation for killing communities, she said. 

“Do we want to be another sprawl town or do we want to have quality of life?”

Stratford’s economy relies on the character of the community, she noted, adding it is already in good hands with its well established arts and culture scene and new industrial developments.

As well, she added, the university campus will present “amazing opportunities for spin-offs for creative, innovative, respectful jobs.”

Not just protecting the character of the city, but wise planning and fiscal responsibility are of the utmost importance for the city in these financial times, said Walker-Fitzpatrick. 

“You have to understand the difference between a need and a want,” she added. 

With her diverse background in early childhood education, the performing and visual arts and social justice and environmental research, she said she understands the issues and challenges many families without a guaranteed income, whether the parents are performers, entrepreneurs or factory workers who face periodical layoffs, encounter.