Name:

Councillor Stephen Orser

Occupation:
Full Time Ward 4 Councillor (4 years)

Family information:
Single Father of an amazing 6 year old girl

Community work:
Being an active/responsive/caring full-time City Councilor for Ward 4 helping taxpayers
with hard issues,for example I got for the Ward 4 Community parks 1.4 million Ed Blake
park (splash pad), 1.7 million Carling Heights Optimist Community Center (skate park)
and 800 thousand McMahen park (new pee wee ball diamond) all 3 also have massive
upgrades in many areas. Also a member of Carling Heights Optimist Club (in good
standing) helping children.

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

NO

Why or why not?

I cannot promise a tax freeze because it would be a lie for me to do so when I cannot
speak for the other members of council(14). The only promise I make to you the voter is
to be a full-time councilor (I control that). Would I vote for a tax freeze? Yes if the right
plan came along, but to date no plan is in place so my answer is no!

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I love the job, the people and standing my ground for my people. After 4 yrs at city hall I
can get things/problems/answers/action, usually with a phone call or email first try. I
enjoy helping.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most
important issue for the ward in which you’re running. ?
The answer to both questions is same We have a full time city with full time problems we
need a full time council. No matter what the issue is full time people do a better job and
you the voters most certainly deserve that.
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Graeme B. MEYER

Occupation:
Consumer Advocate

Family information:
MEYER British Isles Ancestry / Norwegian-Canadian Heritage

Community work:
Community Social Development, Green Renewal, Business Growth

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

Maybe

Why or why not?

Should City of London not collect property taxes could be looked at case-by-case basis
concern is business may be closely aligned with City Hall Lobby

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

To grant a voice at City Hall to individuals who to have grievances and give back to City
of London which leads the way for so many

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most
important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
Community Civil Liberties Safety Housing Health Green Spaces Business Monopolies
and Equality of Employment Opportunity
_____________________________________________________________

Name
Gloria Lee-Jones

Occupation
Guest Services Representative

Family information
Wife, Mother of 3 grown children, Grandmother of 2 school aged grandchildren

Community work:
Organize employment food drive for Food Bank, East London Lioness, Memorial Boys
and Girls Club supporter, Women’s Shelter supporter, Kipps Lane Community
Association.

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

If existing services would not be affected, if it does not hinder London’s growth potential
and if it is fiscally responsible, I would consider it. Reducing wasteful and excessive
spending and freezing salaries at city hall would be a sensible stand to make.

Why or why not?

If it is not determined what would be cut to allow the tax freeze I would vote 'no' for it.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I have been a resident of Ward 4 for over 30 years and consistently seen my taxes,
water/sewage rates and illegal activity continually increase, while city hall spends
money like the funds flow like water. The attitude of Londoners is that Ward 4 has a
higher crime rate, poorer neighbourhoods and few services compared to other wards in
London. Ironically, we are no different than most wards. We have working class
residents, small businesses, good schools, easy access to higher learning facilities,
historical heritage landmarks and caring communities. Yet, the perception does not reflect
the strengths of our communities.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most
important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
It is difficult to select only one issue. My city concerns are the following: improving
public transit, receiving better value for tax dollars, better policing and job creation.
Issues for my ward include; more community resources for our youth, better policing in
our neighbourhoods, a change in the general public perception and more community
participation.
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Greg Thompson
Occupation:
Real-estate agent; part-time provincial public servant (Child and Parent Resource
Institute)
Family information:
Married; 3 children; 1 grandson
Community Work
Old East Village Community Association (OEVCA) — founding and current president.
The leader in, among other things: steering Lorne Avenue Public School and Carson
Library off the road to being shut down; bringing $150 million in new investment to our
business district; obtaining a $10,000 grant for planting trees; and bringing partners to the
table for the redevelopment of Queen’s Park, resulting in over $500,000 in new
investment. Currently active in developing strategies for: calming traffic on residential
streets; and dealing with properties causing problems in the neighbourhood.
Urban League of London: vice-chair last 2 years; supported tree grant for Ed Blake Park
in north Ward 4
London Advisory Committee on Heritage (LACH): vice-chair last 2 years; chair,
Downtown London Heritage Conservation District Steering Committee. Member, 2010
London Community Housing Strategy Reference Group; Member, User Vision Group
and Roundtable, London Transportation Master Plan; Member, Downtown London
Master Plan Working Group

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

No.
Why or why not?
In fact, I wish I could support a four-year tax freeze – who wouldn’t? – but I’d first have
to be convinced that it wasn’t just “pie in the sky.” Those who promise a tax freeze,
over four full years, owe the people of London an accounting – in detail and before
election day – showing exactly how they would make it happen. How they would
dodge four years’ worth of inflation. Where they would slash costs. Where they could
ferret out new revenues.
Why do you want to represent Londoners at City Hall?
I grew up in a family with a strong commitment to volunteer public service (see “Who I
am” at www.gregthompson.ca), so it’s in my blood.
With all that I’ve learned as a leader in the revitalization of the Old East Village – about
seizing opportunities, about jumping hurdles – I can make a real difference as Ward 4’s
voice on City Council: pressing for more community policing on our streets; insisting on
a fair share of City services and resources for this ward; staying in touch by having
regular office hours in the ward, an open “town hall” meeting every year, and a topical
website (see “My Agenda” at www.gregthompson.ca); working to create local economic
development that will benefit local residents. The McCormick area should be
redeveloped in such a way as to protect the interests of its neighbours through sensible
buffering while seeking small-scale new technology projects that will create good jobs
for local people; and, creating more recreational opportunities in those parts of the ward
that are under-resourced by using the model I’ve developed for Lorne Ave P.S. as a
community hub.
At the same time – and this is important with the demise of Board of Control, since only
the mayor will have a city-wide mandate in the coming four years – my vision embraces
all of London (see items 6 (b) through (f) above and item 9 below).
Along with healthy, safe neighbourhoods, the Next London I envisage has:
fair taxation and responsible City finances that make London affordable; economic
development that makes London prosperous by adding jobs in the new knowledge
economy; suburban development that pays its own way; a healthy natural environment;
creative uses that conserve our irreplaceable stock of heritage buildings; and a lively
downtown scene that’s a destination for residents and visitors alike (see “my Themes” at
www.gregthompson.ca).

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b) the most important
issue for the ward in which you’re running?
 a) The most important issue for London is making sure we get good value for our
tax dollar. City services cost money, of course, but the taxpayer is not an ATM and
must not be treated like one. All city spending must be tested against the
contribution it makes to our quality of life and to the future prosperity of the
London and its people. (see “My Agenda” at www.gregthompson.ca).
b) The most important issue for Ward 4 is ensuring that it gets its fair share of City
resources and services. It’s taken persistence and know-how gained from years of
experience to come as far as we have in the revitalization of the Old East Village.
No other neighbourhood should have to work so hard to get its fair share (see
“My Agenda” at www.gregthompson.ca).
_____________________________________________________________

Name:
Karen Appleton

Occupation:
I am a Community Service Worker, with a really diverse background:
My life and work experience includes working for community services, front
line health care as a registered practical nurse, and fundraising for non-profit
organizations. My educational background includes my Social Service
Worker Diploma (for which I received the W.J.Pillsworth Award), an R.P.N
certificate, and studies toward the Post Graduate Educational Assistant
certificate. In addition, I have taken Crisis Intervention and Applied Suicide
Prevention training.

Family information:
My children are the 5th generation to have lived in ward 4. My great
grandparents lived on Appel St.

Community work:
I work with people in the community and this needs to remain confidential:
Initiated and implemented neighbourhood foodbanks and clothing
exchanges for over 10 years; Coordinated,coached,supported and
encouraged participation by persons with serious mental illness in social and
recreational activities; Provided job coaching support to client employees;
Provided family services.Provided information about community resources
and services for clients; Initiated and implemented distribution of condoms
and health teaching; Planned various fundraising activities, and helped
advertise programs; Participated in the "Community Kitchen" by assisting
clients with meal planning, nutrition,hygiene, and budgeting and purchasing.

Would you support a four-year tax freeze (yes or no)?

I will support fiscal responsibility. The only way to freeze taxes is to have a
budget in which income equals expenditure.

Why do you want to represent Londoners at city hall?

I have to run. I am not running for myself. I am running to help those who
do not have a voice.

What do you consider a) the most important issue for London? And b)
the most important issue for the ward in which you’re running?
London needs to address the root causes of social problems. Leaving people
to fend for themselves is very often more expensive than helping them, in
the long run.
_____________________________________________________________