Author: kevin hiebert

I have been meeting with people across our great city and region for some time now. A few common elements have become apparent to me during this time.

 

• Cambridge IS overlooked. 

There is no particular reason, just the way it has come to be. And as often happens, like attracts like, so as more services and options are available in Kitchener or Waterloo, the focus goes there, and so it goes.

• Cambridge needs to step up.

This one will likely get some people up in arms. If your first reaction is ¨but I already do so much!¨, then take a deep breath, know that your contribution is appreciated AND we need you to do more. If you are NOT doing enough, or anything to contribute to your city, please consider jumping in. It is not up to THEM, it is up to YOU.

• Cambridge is full of great people

Carrying on from the last point, I have heard many times that people WANT to contribute but they don`t know how, or feel like their efforts are not recognized or effective. I agree and I want to help fix that.

• And?

So what does all this mean? For starters, it should give you hope. With some mobilization, guidance and leadership, we can leverage all the great potential within our city and work towards making Cambridge a safe, fun and thriving place to live.

I have a few ideas, and I would like to hear yours: hiebert4community@gmail.com

It has now been 4 days since the election. I have collected all of my lawn signs, sent most of my thank you notes, and adjusted to my new schedule. There is still lots to do to completely close off the campaign. I still haven’t cleaned up my campaign HQ (the garage). I will start that this weekend. And there is the paperwork, an official financial statement needs to be filed with the city. And then I close the campaign bank account. I believe it is important to do these steps fairly soon after the end of the campaign. One, if not, procrastination sets in, and two it is a good way to gain closure. At the same time, I am also actively working on my next project(s). I can;t tell you exactly what that is, in part because I do not KNOW exactly what it is. Community, computers, clean energy, helping people, are some of the elements that are likely to play a role. A new social enterprise, a small business, a satellite location of an existing enterprise, or a role in an existing organization are all possibilities. Keep you posted. KH

Not surprisingly, this is a question that usually comes up when speaking with Cambridge residents about the elections.

It is either they first question out of there mouth: Do you support an SIS (or SCS)?

Or if the initial conversation is about something else, and there is a lull, SIS/SCS will often come up almost as a “well we should talk about this” subject.

I will say once again: this is one that I really struggle with.

In part because I UNDERSTAND and APPRECIATE that people what to know the answer, and at the same time, I simply do not have a YES/NO answer to this question.

Some folks interpret my meandering responses as an attempt to hide my true position, or an attempt to avoid answering. Rather it is me doing my best to provide some clarity on my values and character so people can get a sense of how I will conduct myself should I become councillor.

So, I know have a slightly shorter response to the question: Do you support SIS/SCS?

Me:

I do not want to see anyone die because society didn’t want to help.

I believe that how a community treats its most vulnerable members is a reflection of the soul of the community.

I think all residents are entitled to a safe and healthy environment to live in.

 

I will add one more thought. Today, as we speak, we have “IS/CS” already in our city. It is mobile, unsanctioned, illegal and dangerous with minimal support services attached to it.  I believe addressing this is a bigger priority.  Wanna help?

Kevin