I am an author who recently moved to this beautiful city of London, Ontario, and I am amazed by its beauty.
My arrival coincidentally overlapped with the election, and as a writer who sheds light on societal and political issues, it prompted me to do a short overview of the problems candidates are mentioning.
One of these issues is addiction, which I personally have noticed a few times while walking downtown. I am not aware of the full depth of this issue, but I understand that prevention always works better than treatment. As a solo newcomer to London trying to find something to do on my weekends, I noticed there are many public gatherings—which is great—but most are held in the morning, and even coffee shops close on weekends at 4 or 5 PM. This could be one of the reasons the younger generation, who have more energy and want to have fun on their weekends, cannot find any place to go and are attracted to something that makes them happy without considering the consequences. I suggest candidates look into the lack of healthy places, such as late-opening coffee shops, and development in new areas that currently have nothing.
Another subject I noticed is homelessness. I believe most real homelessness is caused by a lack of jobs. If we put aside the small percentage of those who lost their home due to addiction or carelessness, the majority is caused by an inability to find a job. I read news recently that a new factory—HITACHI, if I am not mistaken—is opening, and I think that is what this beautiful city needs more of: opening more jobs, creating opportunities, and developing transportation following that growth. Clearly, when you have businesses in every location, a place for gathering follows along with transportation solutions.
I am not a politician, but rather a writer who looks at these issues from outside political circles.
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughtful observations, and welcome to London! I'm glad you've had a chance to appreciate what makes our city special.
You raise an interesting point about the need for more recreational and social spaces, particularly for young people. I agree that we need to create more opportunities for people to connect, socialize, and enjoy our city beyond traditional business hours. A vibrant downtown should have activities, businesses, and welcoming public spaces that encourage people to spend time there, including evenings and weekends.
I also agree that economic development and job creation are essential to London's future. We need to attract new investment, support local businesses, and ensure our transportation infrastructure keeps pace with growth. These are important priorities in my platform.
Regarding homelessness and addiction, I believe we need to recognize that these are complex challenges involving housing affordability, employment, mental health, and access to support services. My proposed 10-year housing and homelessness strategy focuses on addressing these issues through coordinated, long-term solutions rather than relying solely on temporary measures.
I particularly appreciate your perspective as someone new to London. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can identify opportunities that longtime residents and decision-makers may overlook.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your ideas. I hope you'll continue exploring our city and contributing to conversations about its future.
Warm regards,
Kirsten Krose
Mayoral Candidate | London, Ontario
Change That Works.