Six questions with Michael Judd, candidate for Kingscourt-Rideau District
Editorial note:
Across the province, Ontarians are getting ready to cast their ballots in every city, town, and county as the 2022 Municipal Election is fast approaching. With election day on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, Kingstonist has reached out to all candidates within the City of Kingston to create profiles allowing voters to find a brief overview of each candidate in one place. As response comes in, more and more candidate profiles will be added here, which you can access through our Municipal Election 2022 section (with the tab on the Kingstonist.com homepage), or through our ‘Candidate overview landing page.’
With 45 candidates in total for Kingston City Council alone – and with only one district acclaimed (Countryside District will once again be represented by Gary Oosterhof) and six districts without an incumbent – our goal is to provide as much information as possible leading up to the elections. Thus, we will endeavour to collect response from as many Kingston candidates as possible, with the hope of providing similar coverage for Loyalist Township, Frontenac County, and the Town of Greater Napanee moving forward. All relevant links will be available under the Municipal Election 2022 tab.
For more general information on election process in Kingston, including details on electing Board of Education Trustees, ensuring you are registered to vote, etc., visit the City of Kingston Municipal Elections webpage.
Candidate profiles are being published on our website in no particular order.
Michael Judd purchased his first home in Kingston four years ago after taking early retirement. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Judd chose to retire to Kingston because he has “always loved how dynamic the community is.” Now he hopes to represent that community on Kingston City Council, and is running with the tag line “working for you.”
A self-proclaimed “outdoors lover,” Judd said that he has been coming to Kingston for most of his life for fishing, boating and sailing. He has “had many successful businesses,” and said that the mainstay of his work began in carpentry and design work in the kitchen and bath industry. Throughout his career, he has worked in sales, executive sales, and national sales and development.
When asked to share a “fun fact”, Judd said, “Remember the Airmiles mess? ‘Working for you’ and me, I fought and was successful in getting a law created, that prevents any loyalty points from expiring.” He has also addressed Council and City staff a number of times on community matters, has spoken on radio and TV, and was “instrumental in getting a medical implant and procedure approved for Ontario, then Canada.”
How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?
I do not subscribe to hyper-partisan politics; nor do I have a direct affiliation with any party or desire to. I also do not believe it has much, if any, place in municipal politics. The “nuts and bolts” of the role is basically customer representation. In short: the Council listens to the will of the majority, works to see the best interests of the majority get addressed, all while making sure those in need are not left behind.
What made you want to run in this municipal election?
A number of items:
- Prompting by the community and some past councillors and City staff.
- Successes in getting some substantial items addressed by the City, including a commitment to replace the streets and utilities on Dunkirk [Avenue], Fergus [Street], and Grey [Street].
- Volunteering work within the city since arriving.
- Noticing the high level of waste of resources and the associated very high tax rates in this City, for what the community gets in return.
What are the three most common issues voters are bringing up to you as you campaign?
- Speeds and parking on the roads in residential areas.
- Not feeling safe and secure in some areas of [District] 7 (Kingscourt-Rideau) and the City/Not being heard by Council or the City.
- The fear of development taking precedence over services and infrastructure for the people already living here.
What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally, in your opinion?
- Public safety and security on the roads and in the community in general.
- Communication between the public and Council and the City.
- Cleanliness of the City in a number of areas mainly: the north end and Montreal Street, entrances to the city, and back alleys that have become a haven for nefarious behaviour. There is no reason we cannot have back alleys that add to the value and enjoyment of the city for all here and all that visit, back alleys like in Gananoque and other municipalities.
What is the most pressing issue in your district?
Safety and roads is the most pressing issue relayed to me.
What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
I have had very broad life and business experiences. I have directly experienced “just scraping by” and spent three years in my late 20s and early 30s disabled by injury and on crutches. I have pushed myself and helped others past challenges, not just of my own, but of the community and country. Most importantly, I care and am contributing in the here and now, and have the time to commit to the role in that I do not have a “day job,” as other councillors, and the Mayor call it. I am in an early retirement situation at 55 and do not have to juggle a number of commitments like: young children, a “day job” (or multiple jobs in the case of some), as well as the needs of the community.
For more information on Michael Judd, candidate for Kingscourt-Rideau District in the 2022 municipal election, visit his Facebook page. Judd is conducting interviews regarding community and city matters and adding them to a Youtube channel, and offered his LinkedIn page for those interested in learning more about his business skills.
With files from Cris Vilela.