My memories of the county go back many years.

I have fond childhood memories of visiting my grandparents and aunt, uncle and cousins on the family farm here in the county. When I decided to buy a home and settle down, I naturally was drawn to family rooted in this land.

Since moving to the county in 1998, I have worked as a nurse in both the hospital and primary care settings. I have also taught nursing locally and was a forensic on call nurse for over a decade. I started farming about 10 years ago and retired from nursing a couple of years ago and now farm and for a living. I live on the farm with my spouse, a few dogs, many cats and a couple of dozen alpacas. I volunteer at the local humane society and at the Alternatives for Women as board member and chair of the housing committee.

My volunteer work in the county included work with the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District, the Hillier Rate Payers Association and Friends of Hillier Beaches and Dunes. I sat on numerous boards and working groups over the years in Ontario and while living in Northern Ireland. This volunteer work has opened my eyes and heart to the struggles and joys of neighbours, friends and strangers alike.

Over that time I have become an advocate for those with no voice or influence. My paid and unpaid work has taught me to work with teams and groups, alone and with individuals. I am able to make quick and life saving decisions at the bedside and decisions that will affect outcomes years down the road. I have learned to build consensus with others and make decisions on my own. I am running for council to address the issues and concerns that are important to me, the community, friends and neighbours. I have sat in and spoken at numerous council and planning meetings over the past two decades.

I am a voice speaking to council. I know it will be entirely different sitting on the other side of the table but I know I am up for the challenge. Currently the world is living through an environmental crisis. I believe we as a community can do many things to help our earth survive and recover from the climate emergency. Having been a healthcare worker for over 3 decades our current healthcare crisis worries me and I know I have insights to help us move through it together. Another concern of mine is the lack of affordable housing here in the county. We need to get creative to solve the housing issue and we need to do this together. Another very pressing concern is how do we preserve our agricultural heritage and protect and care for our diminishing farmland and wild spaces.