The Time Is Now
The ‘Now’ could today refer to the fact it’s my 52nd
birthday on Aug. 14.
'The Time Is Now' is also my slogan for the election campaign.
Therefore, I present the 52 reasons to vote for me for Woodstock City
Council on Oct 22.
1. Born in Woodstock at former Woodstock General Hospital.
2. Graduated from the former St. Mary’s elementary on Oxford Street (Today
is Holy Family French immersion)
3. Graduated with Grade 13 diploma from Woodstock Collegiate in 1985.
4. Best decision ever was to marry Nicole -- a Woodstock resident.
Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC)
5. Member of this volunteer committee since 1998 and chair for the past
5 years.
6. Member of very sub-committee which was the selection committee for
the Woodstock Sports Wall of Fame. This includes countless hours confirming
facts on microfilm at the library. (Ask my daughter about the time she spent
most of a PD Day with me at the historical society office on Light Street).
7. I was inducted in sports wall in 2016, as WRAC and City Hall proceeded with
a surprise induction process.
8. Member of organizing group for annual Rec & Leisure Fair held the
first Sunday in March.
9. I truly believe our group saved Lions Pool a few years ago by presenting
to council our findings after extensive winter tour of facility.
10. Was moderator for City special public meeting on finalizing /
debating a possible location for skateboard park.
11. Was twice a delegation at city council to promote Cowan Fields ball
park project, including study WRAC completed with the users groups – leagues and
minor ball included.
12. City council delegation twice to announce naming rights for 2
municipal parks – David Lowes and Shanna Larsen memorials.
13. Have attended numerous public meetings ranging from trails to Cedar
Creek in Southside Park to Pittock Lake land acquisition to building an
all-inclusive playground in Southside Park to the feasibility study looking at the
public library.
Woodstock
14. Member of ‘Dairy Capital Sno-No Fest’ committee in early 1990’s.
15. Assisted organizing annual Oxford Lung Association fundraising golf
tourney at Craigowan.
16. Member of original United Way (High School) Stair Climb committee.
17. Co-chair (With Dave Nadalin) of Farewell Reunion party to officially
close the Perry Street Arena in 1996.
18. Chair for Woodstock Sports Celebrity Dinner for its last 2 years. The
event over 25 years raised a lot of money for WDDS and before that local Senior
A hockey.
19. Co-chair (With Don McKay) the past 2 years of Relay For Life for the Canadian
Cancer Society. I have been on steering committee for 7 years.
20. Was draw scrutineer for major raffle lottery conducted by community
complex fundraiser back in 1994.
21. When still in high school I coached my youngest brother in house
league minor ball (WMBA)
22. For Woodstock Navy Vets junior Inter County baseball team was general
manager, first base coach, public address announcer and also represented WMBA
on league board. I also pitched batting practice, (and hated when the umpire
forced me to wear a mask to catch for a pitcher warming up as there are no foul
tips when there is no batter).
23. When still in high school was an assistant coach in WMHA house league
hockey.
24. In early 1990’s represented WMHA on Hub League executive and was also
scheduling convener.
25. Coached my son in house league minor soccer.
26. For Jake Muzzin Stanley Cup parade day in Woodstock I brought the Max
Kaminsky Trophy to Woodstock from Toronto. Muzzin had been named OHL’s top defenceman in
2010.
27. Contributed personal local sports memorabilia to Woodstock Museum and
assisted in gathering additional display material including bring world Special
Olympics record holder Russell Gerber to museum to lend his championship medals
for an exhibit.
Professionally
28. Realtor for 19 years – all with Royal LePage, which makes me the current
longest-standing Royal LePage rep in Woodstock.
29. Past member of WIDREB real estate board political action committee
(PAC), which ironically has been part organizer and sponsor for municipal
election debates in the past.
30. Lots of knowledge gained in areas which will assist on City Council
such as building codes, in-fill construction, severances, plans of subdivision,
zonings, site plan approvals, easements, boundary adjustments, and . . .
31. Never under-estimate the skills attained as a negotiator.
32. Understanding provincial guidelines on topics such as residential intensification,
the environment and protecting agricultural areas.
33. Know the importance of promoting Woodstock and Oxford County along
with the best choice of a home for a buyer.
34. Have worked part-time with 4 different local companies in public
relations / promotions / writing content.
35. Sports editor of The Sentinel-Review from 1993-98. As a salary
employee, I worked many more hours per week than the required 40 as I was a
part-time reporter, copy editor, photographer, page layout designer, headline
writer, local league standings coordinator, switchboard operator, and often all
those tasks in the same day.
36. Almost single-handed created the final 8-page insert about the
history of the Perry Street Arena.
37. Wrote many local history stories with noteworthy items on Klondike
Joe Boyle, Henry VanSittart, Francis Hincks, and Lord Simcoe’s Governors Road.
38. Advertising sales rep with K-102 FM radio in early 1990’s. (Today is
Country 104)
39. Was on-air voice for the FINAL shift at former CKDK 1340 AM as I did
the all-night show before the official introduction of K-102 at 7 a.m. (There
was frequency testing for about one month before the official switch)
40. Volunteered as weekend all-night announcer at CKDK AM in high school
in mid 1980’s.
Rogers Television
41. Volunteer reporter for many many on-air features for shows such as
Oxford County Living, including focus on Cowan Fields ball diamonds
construction.
42. Volunteer host of city election results show in 2014.
43. Volunteer reporter for city election results broadcast on combined Rogers
and Heart FM in 2010.
44. Hosted in 1994, a documentary on the building of the community complex
twin-pad facility, which included interviews with user groups, city engineering,
and the actual builders as well.
45. Play-by-play for Ontario curling championships when held in
Woodstock. Would later do similar roles for provincials in Owen Sound, Whitby,
Mississauga and Guelph, plus World Curling Tour in Strathroy.
46. Play-by-play for Woodstock Navy Vets playoff hockey when Woodstock
fire department was enforcing fire code capacity for Perry Street Arena. (By
the way, with a run for city council I am not involved with London Knights
broadcasts this season).
47. Play-by-play for men’s fastball Legends tournament held at community
complex.
Lions Club of Woodstock
48. Current executive position is Director.
49. Responsible for special occasion permit for both Canada Day and
Cowapolooza for past 8 years.
50. Assist with Terry Fox Run.
51. On numerous occasions have worked with our group setting up for both
local parades – Santa (BIA event) and Victoria Day (City event). This includes putting
numbers around (a muddy) track at fairgrounds to coordinate the floats.
52. Volunteer every year in food tent at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.
I ask for your vote on Oct 22.
Your best choice for City Council is: Mark Schadenberg
The Time Is Now
