Ward 15: Former MPP faces 4 other candidates in race for open seat in Flamborough East

CBC Hamilton asked all candidates running for Hamilton city council to share their priorities and speak to an issue that stands out to them as needing to be addressed in their ward. Their answers are left here in full, with lightediting only for spelling/grammar. For the candidates who did not answer the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information has been drawn from their websites, when possible. All of CBC Hamilton'selection coverage can be found here.

An experienced politician is facing off against four candidates to take over for outgoing Ward 15 Coun. Judi Partridge.

Ted McMeekin is the highest-profile candidate in the running.

Besides being a five-termLiberal member of provincial parliament forAncasterDundasFlamboroughWestdaleandAncaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot, he's also aformer city councillor, mayor of Flamborough, social worker and book store owner.

He's up against a McMaster University professor, a project manager,a support worker and a candidate who you'll struggle to find any information about online.

Ward 15 known as Flamborough East is mainly rural and includes Waterdown.

It's hometo Spencer Gorge and the Webster's Falls Conservation Area, as well as the Carlisle rural settlement area.

Waterdown is considered one of the fastest growing residential areas in Hamilton, according to the city.

There are27,675 residents in the ward according to the city website.

The ward is less diverse than the overall municipality and has a higher average household income at$136,351.

The ward has ahigher proportion of residents who have moved into Hamilton in the last five years.

Here's more about the candidates for the ward.

Zobia Jawed

Jawed describes herself on her website as a researcher and professor in McMaster University's engineering department.

Some of her promises include advocating for infrastructure, businesses, as well as growers and agricultural producers.

She said she's on the board of directors for various organizations including:

• Waterdown's Healthy Youth Network
• Conservation Halton
• Children's Aid Society of Hamilton
• Pakistani Business Association

She says she is also on theDiversity & Inclusion Community Council for Metroland Media (theparent company of Flamborough Review).

Robert Kunysz

Kunysz is running for Ward 15, but didn't respond to CBC Hamilton's questionnaire and wecouldn't find any information about him online.

Ted McMeekin

McMeekin, 74, describes his occupation as "living the good life."

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:Sixty-one per cent of those who live in Waterdown, and are employed, work in the Greater Toronto Area. There is little affinity to Hamilton. The perception locally is that East Flamborough, Waterdown, Carlisle, Mountsberg, Campbellville, Millgrove, and Flamborough are part of a 'flyover zone'. My approach is to gather together a community council and proactively include people who are new to the community. My hope is to build trust and to give those who hold nothing sacred (politically) something to believe in.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:First, ensure that three major infrastructure projects are approved and/or expedited: the new joint police and fire Station, the Waterdownbypass and a new English-language public elementary school. Second, organize a major housing summit to start to address the issue of affordable housing and homelessness. It would involve all three levels of government, local home builders andthe agri-food sector, non-governmental organizations with a housing interest, unions, environmentalists and academics. They would be asked to leave their phones and their egos at the door and work to develop a 'shared sense of purpose' to guide our way forward. Third, be intentionally aggressive about the dysfunctional financial situation facing our city by working to build enhance fiscal supports from the provincial and federal governments.

Chris Pera

Pera, 36, described himself as a project manager.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:There is a lack of adequate infrastructure at all levels. Our infrastructure isn't keeping up with our growing population and new development, and this is causing many safety and quality of life issues. We need a new elementary school, as all of our current elementary schools are either nearing or over capacity, to expand our road network to deal with congestion, road safety, and livability, and we need to ensure that our basic services are able to keep up with increasing usage and demand.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected: First, assisting the school board in their efforts to get final funding from the province for the new elementary school that is planned for East Waterdown. Second, completing the Waterdown Bypass and other critical infrastructure laid out in the Waterdown Transportation Master Plan. Third,building a Recreation Centre in Waterdown so that our community members have a place to bond, with access to things like swimming lessons, after school activities, free wifi, and other city services.

Sumaira Waqar

Waqar, 40, describes herself as a home facilitator/support worker andteacher assistant.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:Infrastructure: We have to work with the city in order to ensure that we have enough funds to resolve not only present infrastructure needs but also for future fast growing area. We have to build a positive relationship with developers and stakeholders in order to get things done properly with new strategy and proper planning. Also working with senior level of city hall for making the decision using tax money that affects infrastructure, traffic and safety, water, parks, recreation centre, care for our youth and seniors in our community.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:First, improve traffic and transit systems. Two, work on overall infrastructure. Three, build a recreation centre, parks and a youth and senior centre.

School board trustees

The candidates for school board trustees in the area are:

Public school candidates:

• Syed Banoori
• Catherine Kronas
• Graeme Noble

Mark Valvasoriis acclaimed as the Catholic school board trustee.

For more of CBC Hamilton's electioncoverage:

• How to vote in Hamilton's 2022 municipal election
• OPINION | In Hamilton, real estate is the new art
• Here's why Hamilton's mayoral candidates think you should vote for them
• Here's the final list of who's running for mayor and council in Hamilton this year