Candidate name: Nicole Beatty

Occupation: Self-Employed (CEO & Chief Community Builder, Capacity for Community)

Position on council: Deputy Mayor

Contact information: 289.251.3171 hello@nicolebeatty.ca

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolebeattycobourg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicbea_xo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicbea_co

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicbea_xo?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsII0Vy0XG20Kxkmsq-9Dww

Campaign Website:www.nicolebeatty.ca

Biography (500 words)

I was born and raised in Cobourg.  After living in Ottawa, Toronto, and abroad, I returned home in 2013 to plant roots and get involved in my home community.

Since 2013, I’ve co-founded and launched several community initiatives, including:

·       Local Food for Local Good

·       Cultivate Community

·       Think Tiny Homes Northumberland

·       100+ Women (and Kids) Who Care Northumberland

·       Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG)

In 2016, I was awarded the Mayor’s Award for my civic contributions to the Town of Cobourg.

I am a member of the Art Gallery of Northumberland and ACO Cobourg & East Northumberland Branch.  I am currently waiting to become a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133.

This past June, I deepened my understanding of leadership and community development as a delegate for the Governor General of Canada Leadership Conference, which aims to improve decision-making abilities among young leaders and facilitate interactions between leaders from business, labour, government, and the broader community.

I was elected to Cobourg Council in 2018.  I was appointed Coordinator, Planning & Development.  I served as a member of the Planning & Development Advisory Committee, Heritage Advisory Committee, Equity Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Municipal Land Inventory Review Ad Hoc Committee, and Memorial Arena Ad Hoc Committee.  I was also a member of the Water Committee, Ganaraska Region Conversation Authority (GRCA) board member, and participated in the Town’s inaugural Women in Governance Program.  Throughout my term on Council, I held office hours where citizens could drop in in person or via Zoom to ask questions and express their ideas or concerns on municipal matters.  In addition, I spent time visiting schools talking to youth about municipal politics and public service, inspired by their ideas for Cobourg’s future.

I obtained a BA Honours in Communication from the University of Ottawa and did continue education studies in non-profit management at Toronto Metropolitan University.  I am a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), an accreditation with global significance in setting standards in philanthropy.

I have 20 years of experience in non-profit management, resource development, and organizational planning, raising over $30 million for local and global causes.  I am a social entrepreneur and own my own business, Capacity for Community.    I recently started working in the manufacturing sector, supporting Flou inc. with people management, policy development, and product marketing.

I am a proud Auntie to ten nieces and nephews.  My three sisters, Melissa, Ashley, and Felicia, are my dearest confidants and my mom, Nancy, is my biggest supporter and the best campaign volunteer I can ask for.  My partner, Damien, and I are engaged and look forward to being parents one day soon.  We enjoy paddling on Lake Ontario, cross-country skiing in Northumberland Forest, and attending local events, markets, and festivals around town.

I am a lover of local: shopping, dining, and celebrating small businesses, manufacturers, innovators, restauranteurs, artisans, producers, and makers across Cobourg.  I strive to support as many local community organizations as I can.

Cobourg is my home, and it’s where my heart is.

Identify one hobby or guilty pleasure you do that is not related to your profession or politics:

In my downtime, I love to read and teach my nieces and nephews how to use a paddle board!

Please answer each question clearly and concisely in no more than 500 words.

1.  Why are you running for council?

I’m ready to do more for Cobourg.

I’m proud of my hometown.  I’m running for Deputy Mayor to be a community connector – to bridge the gap between Council and our community and to ensure that Cobourg is a place where everyone is welcome.

I’m committed to working hard to ensure residents experience a good quality of life and have opportunities to participate in the community.  As Deputy Mayor, I will work with Council and staff to stabilize and control taxes while making wise investments in essential infrastructure and services and rethinking our policies to bring them up to modern-day standards.

I bring to the role fresh ideas and an understanding of how to position Cobourg as a sustainable future municipality that carefully balances growth and long-range planning and commits itself to environmental stewardship, social equity, cultural diversification, and economic prosperity.

2.  What is the single primary reason you are running?

People.  I am running to care for the well-being of people that call Cobourg home.  The municipality’s decisions impact taxpayers, homeowners, renters, small business owners, young families, aging adults, children and youth, and new residents.  I want to encourage engagement by making it easy for residents to access information and participate in decision-making.  By creating an accessible and inclusive environment, as Deputy Mayor, I will ensure that everyone has a chance to take part in shaping their community.

3.  What will you do to address this issue?

I take a collaborative approach to solving municipal issues through active listening, researching government policies, consulting with user groups and stakeholders, and meeting with staff, the Mayor, and Council coordinators to explore scenarios best to inform program, policy, and budget recommendations.  As Deputy Mayor, my priority will be to sustain a budget that reflects our municipal mandate and rethink Council’s governance structure that works for the people.

4.  Identify one success of the previous council?

The previous Council strongly believed in civic engagement.  They increased public engagement and participation opportunities by introducing communication tools and platforms for residents to have their voices heard and to increase their involvement in informing the direction of essential projects and decision-making.  In addition, the previous Council revised its procedural by-law to include an open forum at its meetings.

5.  Identify one criticism of the previous council?

The previous Council developed a strategic plan that reflected the evolving realities and issues facing a small urban municipality.  COVID-19 disrupted the Unfortunately, the momentum of the strategic plan.  It took the previous Council a lot of time to adjust and realign its priorities once restrictions were lifted.  Consequently, specific projects and services were delayed.  In addition, the previous Council did not loudly advocate for other levels of government to make our municipal issues known or to secure the resources needed to respond to emerging and ongoing issues.

6.  How will you address the one issue you identified from the previous council?

As Deputy Mayor, I will work with the Mayor, Council, staff, and residents to rethink our approach to strategic planning and budget reporting.  I  will focus on realistic, timely, and manageable goals that align with the Town’s operational plans, asset management needs, and, most importantly, our financial capacity to support them.   In addition, I will tap into my experience in government relations and resource development to help staff secure funding from the provincial and federal governments.  Finally, I will bring forward recommendations to track Council decisions, projects, and unfinished business more efficient and accountable manner.

7.  Why should voters select you over others?

I have an unsurpassed passion for our community and a reputation for being an empathetic, approachable, and responsible leader.  I approach problem-solving by looking at all points of view, researching the issue, and making well-informed, balanced decisions.   In addition, I commit to planning and managing municipal finances and core assets to provide Cobourg citizens with a high quality of life while also positioning the Town for long-term success.  Residents often tell me that I’m there for them, and that’s what people can expect from me: I will be there for you and your loved ones.