Chopp continues to weigh her options
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Simcoe Coun. Ian Rabbitts wants his constituents to know as soon as possible that new blood will be needed to represent Simcoe-area Ward 5 following this fall’s municipal election in October.
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To give potential candidates plenty of time to prepare, Rabbitts announced last week that he will seek the mayoralty of Norfolk County in the upcoming campaign, which begins in May.
“Serving on council has been a privilege,” Rabbitts said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “I have a passion for public service and I aspire to provide our community with professional leadership.
“I am proud of us here in Norfolk County. I know our community has a lot to offer. I want to share this fact and promote the best interests of our community by becoming your mayor.”
Rabbitts was among the new faces sworn in to represent Norfolk County following the 2018 election. Seven of nine council positions were filled by newcomers, including incumbent Mayor Kristal Chopp.
With more than 3,000 votes, Rabbitts topped the leader board in the 2018 election in Ward 5, one which saw incumbent Simcoe councilors Peter Black and Doug Brunton go down to defeat.
Rabbitts was formerly employed as a human resources specialist at Toyotetsu in Simcoe. He is a graduate of Brock University, Niagara College and Conestoga College.
“I have in-depth knowledge of Norfolk County, having had multiple generations of my family living and working within the community,” Rabbitts said. “I feel my brand of building consensus and focusing on community-building would be an asset for the leader and figured-head of our community.
“I would be proud to continue serving for another four years to finish much of the work that has already begun and to support new ideas as they come forward.”
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In an interview, Rabbitts identified secure water sources in Norfolk’s urban areas and a measured, moderate response to the COVID-19 pandemic as priorities.
“I have some disdain for vaccine politics,” he said. “I find it to be very divisive and emotionally charged. But these are necessary conversations we need to have. It’s a difficult balance to strike. I want to be a leader in that conversation.”
Rabbitts also wants a thorough discussion about revitalizing downtown Simcoe, particularly as it relates to methadone clinics and whether they and their clientele are compatible with the requirements of a vibrant commercial core.
Rabbitts would like to convene a task force of medical professionals and downtown stakeholders to map a way forward for returning downtown Simcoe to its former glory.
Rabbitts’ declaration raised the question of what Chopp has in mind now that she has entered the fourth and final year of her first mandate. Last week, Chopp said she continues to weigh her options.
“I am passionate about Norfolk and proud of so many of the difficult changes that we, as a council, made for the good of the county,” Chopp said Thursday.
“That said, when I hear at council meetings statements like `The theme of the next campaign will be on restoring the cuts,’ I struggle with walking away from the progress we have made.
“I, too, am a taxpayer and I know there is still more work that needs to be done and more hard decisions that have to be made. ‘Reversing the cuts’ will not bode well for Norfolk’s future.”
Chopp added she “would love to be mayor for another term and continue to keep Norfolk moving in the right direction but I can’t say yet if I will run as I’m still contemplating the monumental personal sacrifice involved.”