I grew up in Trafalgar Ward from 1966 – spending long summers playing along Boldings Brook and Red River behind Cootes and Redford Avenues. It is a special place to live and I am proud to be part of this community as an adult, volunteering as a co-opted member of Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council. Here I work across party lines in this apolitical forum to support residents’ lives and address their concerns. Whilst we are lucky in Trafalgar, it is important to make sure that we protect our safe streets and common spaces from traffic hazards including excessive speeds on major arterial roads or from ill-thought through developments encroaching upon home or community life. We should recognise, too, that Trafalgar’s quality of life must be open to all its residents in equal measure – whether by way of accessibility improvement and maintenance to pavements and footpaths or safe and sufficient support for young parents and pre-school children. If elected, I will address these and other concerns brought to my attention with the utmost vigour. I shall also engage in creative dialogue with Trafalgar residents to find ways to make our ward an even better place to live.