Five candidates are vying for the position in Ward 10 of London, where the major concerns of voters include aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, and public safety. Four contenders, Steven Edwards, Juman Al-Jumaili, Alex Moore, and Lois Ward, are challenging incumbent Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen, who has represented the ward for four non-consecutive terms. Ward 10 encompasses sections of Bostwick, Cranbrook, and Westmount neighborhoods, with its boundaries mostly unchanged after a recent review.
The upcoming election is scheduled for October 26. Van Meerbergen, the incumbent, has a history of serving Ward 7 from 2003 to 2006 and Ward 10 from 2006 to 2014 before being reelected in 2018 and 2022. He highlights traffic and congestion as persistent issues, advocating for expanding Wonderland Road to six lanes. Despite previous setbacks in widening the road due to environmental concerns and induced demand, Van Meerbergen remains committed to the cause.
In terms of public safety, candidate Steven Edwards, a security consultant and former law enforcement worker, emphasizes the need for improved security measures to address anti-social behavior and homelessness-related challenges in the community. Edwards also stresses the importance of transparency in construction projects and aims to conduct a comprehensive audit of the city’s contracts.
Juman Al-Jumaili, another candidate, focuses on strategic resource management and infrastructure development to address the growing gap in London’s infrastructure funding. She proposes redirecting new property tax revenues to bridge the infrastructure deficit and advocates for better communication with residents on decision-making processes.
Alex Moore, a small business owner, emphasizes the need for collaboration among city wards to tackle common issues such as traffic congestion and high property taxes. Moore also highlights the importance of expanding the commercial tax base to alleviate the burden on residential taxpayers and suggests a thorough review of the city budget for enhanced efficiency.
Lois Ward, a registered massage therapist, prioritizes climate change mitigation and infrastructure upgrades to prevent flooding in the ward due to severe weather events. She advocates for improved transit services to reduce traffic congestion and enhance housing affordability, emphasizing the need for reallocating resources to support mental health and addiction services.
Each candidate brings a unique perspective and set of priorities to address the challenges facing Ward 10 and the city of London as a whole. The competition for the council seat promises to be intense as the candidates present their visions for a better and more sustainable future for the community.