® MUNICIPAL ELECTION Continued from page 24 know everything that goes on at the town which affects them and Ward 7, and Oakville. I would ad- vocate for a safer community, for our children in terms of schools, playgrounds, green spaces, and advocate for residents in terms of unchecked development. HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE ANI CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE? I would create a panel to make sure we have a representative from every background in Ward 7. This way Ican learn, I can hear their issues and I can also dis- minate information. I would al- so create a youth panel. AJAY ROSHA OCCUPATION: Finance ADDRESS/WARD: Ward 7 CONTACT INFO: www.ajayrosha- .ca, voteajayrosha@gmail.com PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Municipal election candidate in 2018, Town Councillor, Ward 7. Over the: last 20 years, Ihave been involved in volunteering for dif- ferent levels of government. Co- ordinator for the Annual Earth Clean up in Ward 7. Volunteer at the Oakville Milton Humane So was injured the family lost all of their belongings. That same day our family organized a communi- drive. WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN? I'm frustrated by the lack of community facilities in Ward 7. As an active volunteer and advo- cate, I will work full-time to re- present the urgent needs and val- ues ofour ward tobuilda healthy and liveable community and pre- vent another four years ey stag- WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES? 1. Combatting traffic, parking, theft and safety issues. 2. Feasible planning & zoning that reflects rapid population growth. 3. Negotiating and critically evaluating contracts to optimize use of every tax dollar spent. AecomPust IN beh a ate ey Familiariz duties, to achieve 1 Seatieal coke tions, and deliver results. I will foster an open-door communica- tion policy and regularly meet with residents to understand community issues. I will collabo- rate with the mayor and fellow councillors to critically redefine Ward 7's goals to reflect the needs Ajay Rosha photo AJAY ROSHA of residents with a balanced de- elopment. HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE? Ward 7 is a beautiful and rap- idly growing multicultural mosa- ic. I will champion diversity by engaging with and advocating for the needs of marginalized c munities. Guided by ‘principles of as community festivals that cele- brate the diversity of perspec- tives in Ward 7. GREGORY GIHYUNG PARK OCCUPATION: Business owner ADDRESS/WARD: waren five minutes away from Ward CONTACT INFO: ? eg0- ry.h.park@gmail.com, gregory- PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Director of Oakville North- Burlington Federal Liberal Asso- ciation WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN? I have always had a desire to help people, and to make a differ- ence by contributing to my com- munity. I thought my experienc- es at engineering jobs, consult- ing, marketing, business startup, social movement activity, direc- tor of condo community, and di- rector of political party would help me to carry a the job. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES? Loyalist Trail conflict. Card- ing Mill prail highrise condo Is- hrise condo may cause condo tenants to park their cars on the street. Car theft at night issue — car theft has great- ly increased. Gregory Gihyung Park photo GREGORY GIHYUNG PARK those diversities. I look forward to provit ipport for every Snot constituent i in Ward 7, re- gardless of his/her background or belief, with great humanity in my heart. MELODY WONG-GONSALVES OCCUPATION: Project manager and change lead with the Region of Peel CoTcrIED, Ward 7 CONTACT INI malodydoakyille ca, https:// www.facebook.com/Melo- dy4Oakville, melody4oak- ville@gmail.com There | POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: I have been working in the public sector now for 20 years and understand how municipal rules, regulations, Policies and procedures work. 0 know that it is important to ne to- gether with the community to achieve successful results. WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN? Igrewupin Oakville and have always lived in Melody Wong-Gonsalves photo MELODY WONG-GONSALVES IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS? Connecting with our commu- nity to showcase all the great work that our outgoing council has done for us over the last four years and how we can continue successfully with the new coun- cil. Through these engagements, I will hear what concerns or is- sues that residents face and start to prioritize. |OW WILL YOU EMBRACE AND CHAM- PION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE? committed to promoting diversity and the culture of ‘inclusion’ by ad- hering to accessible and equitable practices to foster a respectful and ming community in all my engagements and consultations. SCOTT XIE OCCUPATION: Global learning and professional development educator, business researcher that were brand new and in de- velopment; Ward 3, Ward 4 and rd 7. Having observed and experienced many challeng- es that come with growing com- munities, I am equipped to pur- sue issues and concerns that the community may have. wer ARE Mal TOP THREE ISSUES? i ople are safe on the vous through strategic fie cont trol, ringing awareness of what local services and businesses are available. 8. Keeping residents informed of upcoming changes through HOW WILL PION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE? Ward 7 isa very diverse ethnic ‘oup. As an Asian Canadian, I have plenty of experiences with communit When decisions are made collabora: tively, we all fe for 20 + years. ADDRESS/WARD: I live in Ward 5 and am well connected with residents I aim to serve. CONTACT INFO: hearme@scottxie.ca, @scott- xieaj, facebook.com/scott.xie.3 PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Thave had close to 10 years' ex- perience as an edueator, busi- ness leader and c unity ac- tivist spearhe: fading 1 numerous projects based in Oakville. Since the pandemic started, I have co- founded OMEF to raise funds and PPE for hospitals and also took a lead role of anti-racism ac- tivities. they were a part of the decision- making. WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN? Asa busines: andares- i i vill h ident in Oakville, I have wit- nessed first-hand the develop- @z0z‘9 seqopo ‘Aepsiny | seneeg eNIA¥EO | SZ Scott Xie photo SCOTT XIE ment and challenges of Ward 7, a dynamic community with a great potential. My solid background, leadership experience, deep con- nections with residents, and, mostimportantly, a sense oft ‘duty propel me to run. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES? To strengthen enforcement of noise control, speed limit, vehicle theft in collaboration with stake- holders. Asa growing community, I will promote and support small business owners and encourage startups by allocating incubator/ venture capital resources. To im- prove our liveability, I will advo- cate for more tree planting, park d recreational facility upgrades and maintenance. IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS? With the goal to promote com- munity growth and well-being, I pledge to advocate for more re- sources while being fiscally-re- sponsible. I also plan to maintain gular office hours to connect with more residents for updates and Q&As to foster a more infor- mative bond with all Ward 7 resi- dents. HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE? Diversity defines who we are can be seen everywhere in Ward’ vee Nenad ensure that all pro- posals, pro; services reece ‘diversity ¢ end plural- ism. It is also my intention to rec- ognize and celebrate multicul- tural festivals and customs in our community to promote inclusion and harmony. EpIToR'S NOTE: Candidate Faryal Ghazanfar did not respond to our questionnaire by press more municipal election coverage, _ visit www.insidehal- ton. visi m/Inatton- news/municipal: § elect woo uoweyapysuy