Cavey “stepping outside the box”

October 22, 2014 · 0 Comments

Councillor candidate A.J. Cavey recognizes that there “have always had some trying challenges in Shelburne” and it’s always been important for Councillors “to speak up and voice concerns with our provincial and federal governments.” She considers the “Places to Grow” legislation, a provincial directive for municipal growth, to be one of the biggest challenges the new Council will face in the next term. “Although I resent the handcuffing,” says Cavey, “I believe we can still strive to maintain the beauty and character of small town living. We also have some infrastructure challenges that need creative solutions and we will continue to challenge our engineers and planners to help us arrive at solutions that are cost effective. Stepping outside the box is something our council has encouraged and it’s important that we maintain that innovative attitude.”
Born in Oshawa, A.J. Cavey moved to Shelburne 24 years ago. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph in Management Economics & Centennial College for Design. She is married to Shawn Cavey and they have “two wickedly awesome boys” both involved in local & school sports. She says, currently, she works for “customers who frequent my shop Cobwebs & Caviar, a quilt shop on one side and clothing, jewellery and gift shop on the other.”
Before she was on council, A.J. served for seven years on the Rural Dufferin Community Centre Board and coached minor baseball. “Hands down my proudest achievement is, albeit a cliché, my fabulous, hockey-loving, big-hearted boys. They make me proud every day.”
Cavey’s political experience includes 17 years on Council. “That means being involved in the decision making for the Town as well as numerous committees, overseeing new ventures, local events and regular standing committees,” she says.
Cavey wants to be a Councillor because, “I love my job! I have the skill set to continue doing this job! And I love my town – the perfect trifecta for a successful councillor!”
Ms. Cavey answered the following questions from the Free Press, seen here in part:
What specific skills do you bring to the position of Councillor and how have you acquired and utilized those skills?
“Patience, time management, efficiency, an inquisitive nature and the ability to network & compromise. Although my family would disagree with me on the virtue of patience, it is the one thing I have learned to be more of in my quest for finding out all the facts first, before assuming or making my mind up about an issue.”
As an incumbent, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment on Council in previous terms?
“That is a pretty hard thing to sum up after 17 years! Each term has had its losses and its victories! I loved being a part of the initiative to be the first town to get a Nurse Practitioner, and consequently the first town (after hiring our practitioner and then chairing the committee) to request and receive a more realistic amount of funding for this increase in our medical care. And our new soccer fields are a marvel and I cannot wait to see the other aspects our Parks & Rec study fulfilled. I also received Citizen of the Year from the Lions Club along with our esteemed mayor for recruiting & retaining doctors. Lobbying & networking with different portfolio Ministers to get the entrance onto 89. So hard to settle for just one!!!!”
What do you feel is an acceptable number of meetings for a member of Council to miss?
“In a Utopian world…none. However since I personally don’t live in a perfect world, I would acknowledge that there are times when family & life & sometimes even our day jobs will interfere with a perfect attendance record. It’s a reality & after 17 year. I have learned to follow up, read up & ask questions as needs be.”
What are your thoughts on the increased remuneration recommendation for Council recently made by Ward & Uptigrove Consulting and Human Resources?
“There are always a few sensitive subjects at election time. This is one of them. Here is the unpopular answer for this sensitive subject! No one wants to admit that we need to pay people to do a job…a job that involves 24 hours a day, 365 days a year liability and not something that a lot of people are willing to shoulder. The question you should ask yourself is this…would you do the job for all the time, responsibility & sacrifice it requires for very little & oftentimes, no pay? If you employed people in your business, would you not consider it unwise to not give them an increase in pay after 8 years? Would it also not be fair to ensure that in a world of pay equity that those same employees were paid what other comparable positions were paid elsewhere? My answer is yes. It’s a good business decision. It is common business practice. And it is common sense.”
What do you see as the biggest challenge you will face as Councillor?
“The challenges vary with the issues. I have learned to deal with each issue by listening, asking questions, disputing if necessary and compromising when required.”
What changes would you like to see implemented for the Town by the end of the next term?
“I would like to see the Study for Parks and Recreation come to fruition…those changes to our services for our sports communities will be gratifying and I am so excited with what we have done already that it is hard not to get excited about all the other proposed changes and projects!”
“I do love the job and role of councillor. I have worked, walked, served, argued, discussed, compromised, commiserated, dressed as a super hero, a rock star, a pregnant cowboy, a bald mini-me, and a chicken, and reached many, sometimes arduous, heart-wrenching decisions with a great group of guys! I have learned tolerance and have been humbled by my co-workers’ achievements & dedication…I feel most lucky and fortunate to have learned from the best, the most dedicated, inventive, creative (he would argue this!), open-minded (I may argue this!), dogged, self-sacrificing, humble servant this town has had the good fortune to employ. I am thankful & darn lucky to call Ed Crewson my friend & as a taxpayer I can only humbly thank him for his and his family’s gift of his time & devotion to this Town.”