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News from the Campaign to Elect Damian Goulbourne Regional Chair
Former Welland Mayor Damian Goulborne running for Niagara regional chair
Posted June 26th, 2018 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – A Niagara area educator, business person, parent and former mayor filed his papers today to enter the first Regional Chair of Niagara election race October 22.
Damian Goulbourne, former Mayor of Welland, a Niagara College staffer, and columnist for the St. Catharines Standard, said he is seeking election because he believes in the region’s ability to build a community “where residents experience the value of a strong and vibrant local economy.”
He made his announcement as he filed his nomination papers at the Region’s office, surrounded by a team of supporters, including the campaign’s manager, Liz Palmieri, well known for her work as the first Executive Director of the Niagara Community Foundation and since her retirement in 2016, as a strategic consultant for charities.
Goulbourne said he enjoyed serving in the past as mayor and was motivated to seek election to the region for a number of reasons.
“I believe the role of government is to help communities achieve their full potential,” he said. “As this is the first-time citizens can vote for regional chair, this is our opportunity to achieve our shared aspiration to enhance the quality of life here.”
Goulbourne also operates a small consulting business and has worked with many community-based groups on leadership and goal setting.
He is a life-long resident of the Niagara region and resides in Welland with his wife and three children.
Goulbourne said he will be announcing specific goals as the campaign unfolds. He is promoting his campaign with the theme: Let’s Work Together for a Strong Niagara.
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Says Damian Goulbourne, “I believe the role of government is to help communities achieve their full potential…..As this is the first-time citizens can vote for regional chair, this is our opportunity to achieve our shared aspiration to enhance the quality of life here.” Could anyone be more vague? What does that even mean? What is Damian’s definition of “potential” or “quality of life”? …he is seeking election because he believes in the region’s ability to build a community “where residents experience the value of a strong and vibrant local economy.” Again, translation?? All I see in the Niagara region is unfettered development being shoved down longtime residents’ throats, green spaces eliminated, protected wetlands threatened, waterfronts developed, etc. Does “strong and vibrant economy” mean MORE development, more houses, more people, more congestion and with all of that, even further harm to our environment?
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Good Morning Carla.
I hope you are well. I want to thank you for taking the time provide this feedback. Your questions are appropriate and appreciated. In the article above it states that “Goulbourne said he will be announcing specific goals as the campaign unfolds.”
As I announced on June 26th and the election is on Oct 22nd, the campaign is going to be 17 weeks long and compared to the recent provincial election, which was four weeks this provides me with the opportunity to spend some time interating with citizens and listening to their concerns.
Your point of “further harm to our environment” is exactly the point of view that I want to hear and it does strike a chord with me.
Over the coming weeks leading to Election Day I will share my thoughts on many of the issues that we all share in common as citizens of Niagara.
Thank you very much for the feedback.
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Bravo Damien.
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Thank you very much Joe.
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