Candidate profile: Sharon Wieder

I grew up in Toronto, Ontario and graduated from York University with a BA in Psychology and an Early Childhood Education diploma from Seneca College.   I married and lived in Buffalo NY for 20 years during which time I obtained a K-12 teaching certificate for the state of New York.  I moved with my soul mate and partner to Rossland in 2006.  We came for the skiing and outdoor opportunities and the relaxed pace of daily life.

Currently I work part time for Bear Aware in the summer and Black Jack in the winter.  This allows me the time and commitment to devote to the position of city councillor and give the job its due diligence.

Two threads are continually woven through my life – learning and volunteering.  This is mainly how I came to run for city council.  I believe I gained a finger on the community pulse through working with organizations (Tourism Rossland rep for RCAC, Museum  &  Black Jack (not all at the same time)/RCAC director 1.5yrs/Rossland museum director  1yr, Friend of the Museum  2yrs/ Greater Trail Restorative Justice facilitator – 4yrs/Community Gardens/Farmers Market  2yrs/Bear Aware/Harvest Rescue  2yrs).  I built connections with a broad range of people from young families to seniors.  I am in the middle range of this sandwich grouping.  This contact with various groups led me to consider running for council and use my experiences to guide my focus at the municipal level.

I hold a very strong belief in growth through melding remembrances of the past while looking to the future.  This has been clarified through the many changes during my own life.  I always look for the silver lining and strive to be honest, dependable and accountable in all that I do.

I moved here 5yrs ago from a small town back east with a similar structure to Rossland.  It too had a ski hill and was a thriving town before the ski hill developed commercially.  Although the tourism increased dramatically in the winter, the town still had a strong established core of people and businesses that kept the town vibrant when there was no snow on the ground.  I watched that town go through its growing pains while balancing the full time resident’s needs with the tourism needs.  I believe this experience gives me the advantage of an objective observer new to Rossland as opposed to long time residency with entrenched experiences and agendas.

My goals is to get elected, get my  feet wet and see where I can best serve to strengthen the community fabric by bringing groups together and utilize resources to best advantage.  I envision a Rossland that is unique and not a cookie cutter of elsewhere by focussing on what we have naturally and what is already unique.

I am adamant that COMMUNICATION between city staff & councillors is KEY.  This is also critical between various Rossland segments & city as well as between themselves to maximize resources and avoid duplication of efforts.  It has been said it’s like herding cats.  I say cats have needs & desires that at the end of the day look very similar to the needs and desires of other cats so let’s build on common ground.

My challenge to Rossland is be different!  Create our own model that others will look to emulate!  Take advantage of all that is uniquely ours! 

I appreciate your support on Election Day.   Please take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard.  Get out and vote and bring all your friends.  See you at the polls!

Sharon Wieder

250-231-2751

sharwieder@shawbiz.ca

 Please view all the candidates' profiles here, on our Election 2011 home page.