Esseltine Running

Thursday, 25 September 2014 04:51

Former Communications professional looking for spot on Tillsonburg Council

TILLSONBURG - Former Communications professional and book store owner Penny Esseltine is looking for a spot on Tillsonburg Council.

She is one of eight names on the October 27 election ballot.

"I've had lots of experience listening to what happens in council because I've worked with Rogers Television for 15 years. Part of my job there was to cover council meetings so I've always been kind of interested in the things they discuss at council. The reason I'm running now is because I'm probably at a good age to do that because another 4 years and I will be too old."

She says according to the Federation of the Canadian Municipalities 30 percent is the minimum number of women required to adequately keep up with women's concerns on council and she says Tillsonburg wasn't keeping up with that which was another driving force for her filing papers.

Esseltine says while there are some hot button topics in the town, she wants to focus her attention on preserving the Town's heritage.

"There's a public building that's not going to be used any more as a school next year and I think it would make an excellent building resource for the town. I'm also interested in the downtown. It's important to keep a strong downtown in the community. I think a lot of it might be to encourage people to shop locally."

Esseltine says her background in communications could be a great asset to council.

"One of the issues in the town right now has to do with effective communications between council and town administration and the people who live in the town and things can go a lot smoother sometimes if you communicate effectively so I would like to maybe contribute in that way as well."

Esseltine is heavily involved in the community with the Oxford County Library Board, the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society, she is part of the fundraising committee at Annandale National Historic Site, as well as a long time Tillsonburg Lioness just to name a few.