Having retired after 30 years with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Harald Schraeder feels the next logical step would be to run for St. Thomas city council.
A resident of St. Thomas for more than 30 years, he is in a field of 16 candidates vying for eight seats in the council chamber at city hall.
Schraeder served as a volunteer on the city’s environmental stewardship committee which initially turned its focus toward Lake Margaret.
Moving forward he would like to see the city take a look at the old Parkside Collegiate dock at the west end of the lake.
Turning his attention to homelessness, Schraeder asserts he wants to be a strong voice for the marginalized and disenfranchised in the community and acknowledges the present council has made inroads in this area.
As to the location of the city’s emergency shelter, The Inn, he doesn’t feel it is compatible with existing core businesses.
And on the rapid growth of St. Thomas, he points out the need to ensure the city is keeping ahead of basic servicing with affordable and environmentally sound infrastructure.
If elected, Schraeder vows to “advocate for best practices in city operations in keeping with the city’s Climate Emergency declaration of 2020.”
Written by Ian McCallum
