Merri Aiken For Town of South Bruce Peninsula Council

This is my maiden voyage into elected public service.

I am a proud Allenford resident, like my parents, Ross Aiken and Muriel Walker before me and their parents before them. Even my great grandparents lived and farmed no more than from a concession or two from Allenford. We live in one of the most beautiful areas in Canada!

I am Lonnie’s wife. Mom to Rosalynn and Bradley. Stepmom to Rebecca and Jessica. Stepmom-in-law to Damian. GrandMer to Jaden, MaiLin, Oliver and Grace. A long list of people call me Aunt; some biologically related and some not. And I have a cousin who calls me Uncle Merri.

I have one dog from Curacao, (never been, but I got a puppy instead of t-shirt) and five cats, all strays.

I have my honours bachelor’s degree in history (WLU), bachelor’s degree in psychology (WLU), and an education degree (UWO) that allows me the opportunity to supply teach from kindergarten to Grade 10. I also like to take some course every other year. Some would be considered ‘useful’. Some not.

I was part of a local retail family business for 33 years. As part owner and bookkeeper, I know what a bottom line is, how to budget, make contingency plans, how to be fiscally responsible. It also taught me the importance of being available and responsive to the needs of your neighbours; beyond just the needs of your customers. (It is a point of personal pride that the store was open for 115 years, through freezes, blizzards and floods. But lacking a ‘next generation’, closing the doors has allowed for new adventures for those who seek them, or a quieter existence for those who do not.)

I was the 2017 Town of South Bruce Peninsula Heritage Award Co-Recipient. As I may have mentioned; I like history.

I have been a Royal Canadian Legion Youth Director for 15 years. I have watched all the best public speaking our local elementary schools produce annually. I don’t think that naturally translates into me being a wonderful public speaker, but it is encouraging that any speech over five minutes should be subject to a time fault!

I am one of the founding members of the Allenford Improvement Association. This group began in order to effectively organize a Homecoming in 2010 when the former Allenford Curling Club (now the Allenford Community Centre) turned 100. Since then, this group has funded that great Allenford sign with the cattails, the Christmas lights and a set of metal Allenford signs. As a community divided between two municipalities, it was easier to ignore concerns of the area before this group arrived.

I am a member of the board at Allenford United and part of the choir loft power songster duo of Mer-Lo. I am also the SuperIntendant of the Sunday School.

I was in the Sauble River for 15 years with the Allenford Duck Race, as chief organizer, or ‘The Big Ducker’. (If only for the opportunity to ride an inflatable unicorn down the river…)

In my career, as a volunteer, I’ve canvased for charities, been part of sports associations, a daycare board, ran fundraisers, set off fireworks, sang songs and promoted small community events. (It is my belief that many hands make light work, so stop sitting on yours.)

I am a positive person. I believe in positive change in our local government. And I am positively asking for your vote in October!