Heart FM posts its supplied profile about me

Radio story is just one message in the publicity train

Last week, I met with Marcie Culbert at the 104.7 Heart FM studio on Norwich Avenue. Our interview was in the boardroom and I arrived with a few notes that will be included here.

A top-of-the-hour news update on a local radio station is never a full analysis of any newsworthy story. Heart FM has been doing a great job of contacting candidates in all 8 municipalities for the Oct. 26 elections -- Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and the 5 townships. 

Marcie Culbert did a good job asking me 4 questions and then adding if I had anything to add. 

As I have noted in my other avenues of information, I hope the Heart FM story directs you to reading more about me at this blog site and on Facebook page dedicated to the Woodstock elections. You may also call or email me at anytime. One more promotional item that I will be introducing soon is short concise video blogs with a consistent message.

I look forward to educating voters on topics and issues, council agenda procedures, the city versus county umbrella contents, the voting process, and my resume. As for the voting process, such as the 4 polling stations or how the electronic voting will take place, I stress that the City's website is your best destination:   https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/your-government/elections/   

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What's On Woodstock in July & August

City magazine is distributed to 24,000 (8 issues per year) local households

Compiled by: Mark Schadenberg

What's On Woodstock (WOW) magazine is like receiving 8 presents every year to tell you all about the present and future in Woodstock, and with WOW Tales and details on the museum, also about the past of the Friendly City.

What a great resource  as published by the City of Woodstock communications department, led by Tatjana Milne. The roster includes Spencer Holman and Robin DeAngelis, and with contributions by a large cast from departments -- parks and recreation, engineering and works, arts and culture, naturally special events, and advisory committees, and of course the Flying Squirrel.

Some happenings promoted in the current July / August issue have already happened -- a few summer camps, opening of the Cowan Fields pickle ball courts, Summer Streetfest, and of course Canada Day.

If your current edition of WOW is still sitting in your super mailbox or the foyer of your apartment complex, be sure to grab it as it includes:

Promotional info on Cowapolooza set for Aug. 14 - 15 in Southside Park with Finger Eleven as the headliners on Saturday the 15th on the toboggan hill stage. Finger Eleven has accumulated an impressive catalogue of 7 albums over the years, and the Canadian band is best known for releases Paralyzer, Living In A Dream, I'll Keep Your Memory Vague and the power ballad One Thing. Paralyzer was a Top 10 rock song in every corner of North America and beyond. In my opinion, the track Slow Chemical defines their overall sound and is quickly recognizably known as the theme walk-up music for WWE star Kane. Interesting about Finger Eleven is that they're my second favourite band from Burlington . . . after the Spoons.

The July / August WOW also features:

An insert labelled as Woodstock125 with details on the City's birthday as 1901 a town became a city. Among the tie-in events is a family activity called Movies In the Park featuring Zootopia 2, plus a Woodstock Museum exhibit which continues into early January. In his original survey of southern Ontario (Upper Canada) potential, then Governor-General John Graves Simcoe in pre-1800s referred to Woodstock simply as Town Plot.

The Woodstock125 swag ad shows the many items available for sale for this year like hoodies, caps, cups and tees. www.woodstock125.ca

There is a look at heritage walking tours available locally featuring streets like Light and Vansittart.

The museum at 466 Dundas will host Fall Fest on Oct. 3 in the Square, and many other attractions like Lunch & Learn re-starting on Sept. 22

WOW plugs the on-going juried exhibition at the art gallery, which is displayed until Sept. 19. The competition winners were already announced at an open house on July 18.    The prizes were earned by Gwenda Dieleman, Soroush Dabiri, and Meredyth Kutt. This year's recipient of the Friends of the Woodstock Art Gallery Legacy Scholarship is Monica Payne.

Aquatics scheduling at Southside Pool, including aquafit and lane swimming.

Tourism Oxford posted a feature on day trips around the county such as a 'Woodstock Retro Rewind'.

The Woodstock Public Library is busy all 12 months, and in the summer is highlighted with a book club featuring published author Charlie Mackesy, and a do-it-yourself coffee mug design events on Aug. 11 and 18.

Info on associations applying for the fall in-take for Community Grants -- dollars supplied by Gateway Casino and the AGCO revenue.

Municipal elections overview, including how you can make sure you name is on the voters' list for Oct. 26.

The Woodstock Environment Advisory Committee column pertains to native plants and how they support biodiversity.  

The City Hall segment includes an ad for 'Virtual City Hall' as the city's new website along with updated technology permits more interactive connections with 500 Dundas like paying property taxes online. The secure online system also is attached to all city accounts and has an option to receive newsletters. You can ask questions at 519 539-2382 or email vch@cityofwoodstock.ca or visit: https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/news/posts/city-services-at-your-fingertips/     

and . . . A promo for Theatre Woodstock's 80th anniversary in September.

By the way, I referred earlier to the Flying Squirrel and this third party graphic design company in Woodstock is the one-and-only Andrew Norris (Pictured) and his services can be reached at: www.flyingsquirreldesign.com

Agendas and minutes to meetings, department links and phone numbers, information on parks and their locations, instructions on building permits, and the 2026 approved budget and . . . can all be discovered online.

www.cityofwoodstock.ca

www.cityofwoodstock.ca/specialevents

www.cityofwoodstock.ca/news/posts/city-services-at-your-fingertips

www.woodstockartgallery.ca

www.woodstockmuseum.ca

www.mywpl.ca

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/recreation-culture

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What is on your mind? Your top 10 list of issues?

When talking to municipal candidates, prompt them on their specific thoughts 

Compiled by Mark Schadenberg

I am penning this on August 1, so about a dozen weeks from the October 26 municipal election.
What do you believe are the Top 10 issues for the City Of Woodstock's electorate to consider? I will also factor in 3 topics from the Oxford County angle (1 of the 3 is a catch-all of county responsibilities) as I've entered the race as a candidate for the combined role of Woodstock City Council and Oxford County Council.
I've been on Woodstock City Council for 8 years.
The standings will not be presented in order as I would like to see comments from the voters assisting in determining the Big 10, but I would also like to witness a few write-in votes -- your choices beyond my 10. Perhaps -- by the end of August -- there will be a list of 15 or 20 most prominent concerns, needs and an understanding that many on the list are extremely necessary, while some ingredients may not be added to the recipe for 4 years, but should be considered for the horizon's game plan.

This is my 12 actually, and my opinions on all can be swayed, but it must be prudently and dissected properly through budgeting and 'request for proposals' and strict planning by senior staff. Council members vote on plans -- it should be added -- vetted very closely already by department heads. Always always always, keep in mind that pre-studies can lead to grants as it's not possible (for example) to have a recreation facility added to the city's roster without a published third-party needs assessment study and in the case of recreation the bible has been written already, which is integral (and linked below).

In no particular order.

Evolution and plans and renovations and county staffing at 808 Dundas Street -- Oxford Homelessness Support Centre. The former Woodstock Y building is Gantt charted to open in spring of 2028. I believe the County's purchase price of $4.5 million is significantly higher than a proper market value, and I'm not convinced the location is correct, and how high renovation costs may climb is a significant concern. The process should have included more public input and consultation.
A 4th arena in Woodstock. New rink at Cowan Fields would be the plan after renovations to Civic Centre Arena. The Civic facility would be closed after enough funds exist to twin the Cowan rink. (Monteith-Brown report is below)
A second aquatics / swimming facility in Woodstock. Lots of permutations here such as Woodstock's size / population for a second pool and whether it should be competition length, indoor, outdoor, and timetable for its construction. Should children from outside Woodstock be permitted to participate in programming?
An improved Museum Square and City Hall. These 2 are together as the focus should include a very modest addition to City Hall as its essentially unchanged since 1968, which is a building 125 years old, plus a connected spotlight on the fountain and museum square.

Dundas Streetscape (MHBC were consultants) is most certainly a different topic than museum square as Phase 1 and 2 are complete, but there is now a 'middle' area unfinished. (This beautification project should have never started).
Extremely close attention to 'asset management plan' of Woodstock as it pertains to roads and their buried infrastructure, bridges, state of current facilities, playground equipment, and even the city's fleet of vehicles.
A 3rd fire hall and its planned location. Just this past June, city council approved a new aerial fire suppression truck at $2.6 million. What is the cost for construction, fire fighters, and equipment?
An expanded police station as it's already out-growing its 2017 addition after opening at its current location in 1980.

A boundary adjustment and where? Watson & Associates report to the county projects an ever-growing population count. Woodstock is at about 52,000 currently, so where will (should) growth happen for residential and retail needs? Could the province (Queen's Park) re-draw the lines? (Scroll down for a list of approved projects in an earlier blog)
Should the county's human services department focus on building more residential spaces for the county to own instead of assisting developers in subsidizing rents? The county's owned residential spaces require massive upgrades also ranging from 40-year-old semis to apartment buildings (Asset management).

Should the city versus county structure be re-organized? It could be like Brantford and Brant County with its 2 single tiers, or pondered to be like Chatham-Kent with everyone under same single-tier umbrella? Or rep by pop where Woodstock has more representation from its current 3 out of 10, but I'm sure (??) the province wouldn't approve expansion from the number 10. Lots of questions or status quo?
How difficult is it for Oxford admin to manage a long list of commitments as it re-writes the Official Plan --- water and wastewater, landfill site, zero poverty / zero unhoused, long-term care facilities, subsidized daycare and dental (A county responsibility and NOT city), small village libraries, the tourism department, renewable energy action plan, climate plan, natural heritage systems, and the list continues . . .  

Make sure ALL candidates you talk to about the Oct. 26 plebiscite have their own inventory of priorities. If their summary is less than 10 ask yourself if they're qualified for the role.
Yes, my list is 12, but I truly want to discover your additions.

Plans
Watson and Associates:
https://cdn.umb-sites.dev/county/media/psacwals/county-of-oxford-growth-analysis-and-land-needs-review-study-final-report-3326.pdf

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/media/0izid1ou/strategic-asset-management-policy-engineering-feb-5-2026.pdf

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/media/5i3cpptr/2025-asset-management-plan-city-of-woodstock-engineering-2025.pdf

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/media/zmidt0qf/woodstock-recreation-facility-needs-study-rec-2021.pdf

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/business-development/city-projects/north-woodstock-recreation-facility/

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/media/y5yntytj/streetscape-master-plan-report-engineering-2022.pdf

https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/media/rnpe2zdk/transportation-master-plan-report-engineering-2025.pdf

These reports scratch the surface of reading material for a prospective City Council member.

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