Hi, I'm Doug Buckwald
And I would like to be YOUR Councilor in North Algona Wilberforce Township for another four years.
And I would like to be YOUR Councilor in North Algona Wilberforce Township for another four years.
With the exception of my college years I’ve pretty much lived my whole life here. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and have two adult children.
Since 1992 I’ve been a Correctional Officer, at the Pembroke Jail and now at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Center. For much of that time I have also been a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, helping staff members after serious incidents. In addition to my regular duties I also spent several years as a dispute mediator for staff, helping staff across the province find ways to work through interpersonal conflicts. I am also an associate instructor and a master instructor trainer. After a long career I am looking forward to retiring from this position in 2027!
I have also worked in the hospitality industry, first in restaurant management and later in the hotel industry.
I’ve also been a private investigator and a security supervisor.
I also served several years as vice-president of my church council.
I also have over twenty-five years of community service in our volunteer fire department, currently serving as a captain and from 2002-2018 I was the Township’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
Last, and certainly not least, I have served as a Councillor for North Algona Wilberforce
Township for fourteen years. most recently form 2018-2026 and earlier from 2000-2006.
In 2018, after a twelve year hiatus, I decided to return to Council and you, the voters, supported me in that choice.
In the eight years since then, I believe that I have supported decisions that were in the best interest of the Township as a whole.
Council continues to require experienced people with dedication, good communication skills and honesty to work without personal agendas for the betterment of our community.
With fourteen years of experience as a municipal councilor and more than thirty years of serving the public I believe that I am still one of those people.
NAW continues to need steady, stable leadership.
During my time on Council we have developed an asset management plan to help maintain our roads and other infrastructure on a fair and data based basis.
We have increased our access to federal and provincial grant opportunities to help reduce infrastructure and program costs.
We have replaced aging technology and outdated processes in the Township office to improve efficiency and improve access to services...
… but there is still much more to do. There will be hard decisions to be made. Knowledge, experience and common sense will be needed to keep the Township on track. I don't believe my work is done.
That Is why I am running for Council.
Experience: I have served four successful terms on Council. Two from 1998-2006 and most recently from 2018-2026. I have remained current on local and broader municipal issues.
Respect: I respect the contributions of all perspectives on any given issue. I believe that every person has value and deserves respect, even when we disagree on a matter. Good discussions lead to good decisions.
Knowledge: I am knowledgeable of Provincial legislation as well as Township bylaws, policies and procedures and the roles of Council and staff.
Dedication: This community is my home and I have a deep interest in serving to preserve, promote and improve the Township.
Transferable Skills: I have developed significant management, communication, leadership, mediation and teambuilding skills throughout my varied work and volunteer positions.
Honesty: I may not always be able to tell you what you want to hear, but you can count on my answers being honest and factual.
During an election campaign you may hear many promises. You may hear promises of big changes, lower taxes and improved services. Some of those promises will be made with good intentions but without an understanding of what a Councilor's power actually is. Some of those promises will be what a candidate thinks you want to hear so that you will vote for them.
No individual candidate can deliver on those promises because they will only be one vote out of five at the Council table. No candidate, including me, can promise what the next Council will do.
So the only promises I will make are the same ones I have made in each of my previous campaigns. The same promises that I did deliver on and will continue to deliver on if you return me to Council:
I WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO YOU
I am open to your thoughts, comments, concerns, questions, opinions and issues at all times. You can reach out to me by email, mail, telephone, in person or even by Fax. I will do my best to respond to you within one business day.
I WILL USE COMMON SENSE
Sometimes a little common sense goes a long way. If there is a way to make something simpler, i will support it. If a process or procedure doesn't make sense, I will be open to ideas to improve it.
I WILL SUPPORT DECISIONS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOWNSHIP AS A WHOLE
This can be one of the most challenging things for a Member of Council. We have seen in the past where "the squeaky wheel" gets the attention. As an example, road repair priorities get changed instead of following an established, Township wide plan. One area gets their road fixed, another area gets delayed and the plan goes out the window affecting future work plans and financial planning. Sometimes "Not In My Backyard" may oppose a project that would be beneficial to the Township. These types of issues require someone who will look at the big picture, consider all the positions and make a decision that is in the best interest of the larger community.
613-635-3579
Box 130, GOLDEN LAKE, ON K0J 1X0
833-899-5505
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