EZT Ward 1 Candidate

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 05:34

Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal recipient, Shirley Hanlon is running for Ward 1 in East-Zorra Tavistock.

EAST-ZORRA TAVISTOCK -- In 2010, Shirley Hanlon was neck and neck in a race for Ward 1.

The race was close; it came down to a matter of a handful of votes. When the votes were tallied Hanlon found out she had lost by a margin of two votes.

Four years later, the Queen's Golden Jubilee winner is back again running for Ward 1 in East-Zorra Tavistock and looking for some redemption. "I thought seriously about this for a while, I know this is a great responsibility and finally thought it's something I want to do, so I am going to try again."

Hanlon's extensive volunteer background ranges from Board Chair of Oxford County Canadian Mental Health Association to being a volunteer transportation driver for the Oxford County Canadian Red Cross. She also has a number of accolades from her work within the community including; being awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and the Ontario Bi-centennial medal for significant contributions within her community.

Hanlon said she will be putting the emphasis on "better improved communication with all of our ratepayers." Them 48 year resident of Tavistock says she still has plenty to give the community and will be applying some of her past work experience to the position. "In my position with VON as manager I built programs, developed, created and implemented services to the people of the communities in doing that I interacted a lot with municipalities, government and funders..."

The recently retired Hanlon says she has plenty of time to dedicate to a council position, "I have a passion for improving our mental health system and if I have a passion I will juggle anything I have to, to do it."

Hanlon describes herself as 'open' and 'honest' and likes to communicate and give 100 per cent to what ever she is doing. Hanlon says she recognizes the financial stresses people have, having dealt with over a million dollar health care budget. Hanlon adds that one of the lessons she learned growing was, "if you don't have it you don't spend it." Hanlon says she would apply that same attitude to council.