Meet the Candidates: Beatrice Metzler

Beatrice Metzler brings plenty of experience to the Westfort Ward race.

A longtime school board trustee, she said she decided to put her name forward, following in the footsteps of her husband Ed, a former Thunder Bay city councilor, with an eye on making Westfort a better place to live.

“I’ve lived in Westfort all my life. My family history goes back 100 years. What I see happening in Westfort are some wonderful opportunities for growth. I see some changeovers and more young people moving into the area, balanced by seniors who have chosen to stay in the area,” Metzler said, four years after an unsuccessful ninth-place finish in the 2010 at-large race.

“This area is one area that’s not going to change a lot in terms of depletion of residence. It’s going to stay the same or increase. That means we always have to be looking at the future. We have to be looking at the infrastructure in Westfort.”

That means good sidewalks and roads, trails maintained and parks kept alive and vibrant for all who use them.

It also means looking toward the youth of the ward.

“Their kind of recreation includes rinks. It includes Heath Park pool. It’s going to include some community centres that need to revamp to deal with the young people.”

Like so many prospective politicians, Metzler, an active member of her church, said it’s time for council as a whole to get a better grip on the city’s finances.

“Those tax dollars are finite. They only come from our own pockets. So we need to make sure those dollars are used in the best way possible, not only for today, but looking to the future,” she said.

Metzler likes the idea of an event centre, but the cost has to be considered.

“I think there has to be much more consideration as to what that cost is and just what is it that we’re building. Is it a rink, is it a full event centre and how does that tie in with the rest of the city’s entertainment offerings.

“In my opinion I think we just need to say hold it, let’s take another look at this. I’m not saying it shouldn’t happen. What I’m saying is I don’t think the timing is right, right now.”