Election Day is Sunday, July 17th, for Baie-D'Urfé Council positions 1 and 3. A Baie-D'Urfé Citizens' Association meeting allowed each candidate to present themselves and their platforms. Listed below are brief profiles of each candidate.
Position 1 candidates:
Tony Brown: Former Professional and/or Community Engagements:
Board of Governors, CEGEP John Abbott College (2001-2004)
Medical and Biomedical Research Ethics Board, Jewish General Hospital
Baie-D'Urfé Rescue Captain
PHOTO: Tony Brown
Presentation Highlights:
"I am ready to revise the next series of rules and by-laws. To vote with an informed decision, it is vital that residents be heard by the Town early within the planning stages. Public dialogue must be maintained, and I will work carefully to examine the effects by-laws have on surrounding properties and to take note of the "science" behind lighting, green spaces, ecology, and drainage."
"I want to encourage and support people who are putting down roots and participating in our community. To those who have chosen to live here to enjoy the large lots and semi-rural charm of our Town, those selling their homes, and those who are renovating existing homes or building new ones. My years of volunteer experience prove my commitment to serving Baie-D'Urfé, a Baie-D'Urfé for all."
Contact information:
Website: https://tonybrown.online/
Aria Campbell-Kelly: Former Professional and/or Community Engagements;
Owner of a social media and graphic design business. Has obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University.
"Over the past ten years in my marketing career, I've successfully managed and organized dozens of projects with large organizations."
PHOTO: Aria Campbell-Kelly
Presentation Highlights:
"I believe we need to address the concerns of our residents, who are the fibers of the cloth we call home. I want to represent our residents as we re-generate our community; there is an opportunity to learn from the older generations and for the younger ones to grow; however, every age group must be represented."
"It will take building a modern and sustainable place for many generations to come. The current Council is moving forwards on some excellent initiatives, and I hope that my experience can enrich them. I want to make sure these efforts are navigated with the best possibilities and in the most sustainable and cost-efficient manner."
Contact information:
Email: aria.campbell.kelly@gmail.com
Phone number: (514) 606-7227
Social media: Facebook
Website: https://www.ariacampbellkelly.com/
Linda Tait: Former Professional and/or Community Engagements
Volunteer Baie-D'Urfé Firefighter for 13 years
Current Treasurer of the Baie-D'Urfé Citizens' Association.
PHOTO: Linda Tait
Presentation Highlights:
"Rampant demolition of older homes and the construction of much larger ones is not what we want. Buildings fostering modern lifestyles are necessary to keep a vibrant population. This is also true of the Town's facilities and services. People buying million or multi-million dollar properties tend to expect more services and modern facilities."
"The Town has embarked on the process of updating and re-writing its by-laws, particularly pertaining to urban planning. We know that this will not be a quick process, but it is one that cannot be hurried, with careful consultation to make sure that everything is as we want it."
Contact information:
Email: lindaktait@hotmail.com
Phone number: (514)-457-6772
Stefan Kurylowicz Sr. (See details with Stefan Kurylowicz Jr. below)
Position 3 candidates:
Leif Quraeshi: Former Professional and/or Community Engagements;
Volunteer Baie-D'Urfé firefighter
Sat on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer of the Baie-D'Urfé Yacht Club.
Founder of Q House Kids, a children's products company that operates in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Baie-D'Urfé industrial parks.
PHOTO: Leif Quraeshi
Presentation Highlights:
"I feel the Council is moving in the right direction; there is a lot of work to be done in updating our by-laws, which will clarify and simplify the way our town moves forwards together for all citizens. "
"Another positive step is that the Town is taking measures to better maintain the Red Barn, Fritz Park, and Town Hall so these iconic facilities can better serve its residents. I'd like to see a viable option for a lightly refrigerated ice rink, and I fully support the idea of a splash pad."
Tom Thompson: Former Professional and/or Community Engagements
Served more than ten years on the Baie-D'Urfé Municipal Council,
President of Nova West Island for eight years.
Presentation Highlights:
"I hope to be a part of the Council to help ensure that the unique character and culture of the Town is preserved. My priorities are a practical and reasonable approach to redevelopment. Volunteers are the reasons we are a community and not just another town. We have a great formula here, and it is important for not only Council, but also our administration to foster and support them."
"With the low-interest rates and a red hot real estate market, residents are concerned. To address these concerns, going forward, we can apply by-laws to demolitions, if not to the whole town, maintenance by-laws so that houses are not left abandoned, a prohibition on architectural and decorative lighting, and a look at rooflines to prevent that big box look, perhaps revisiting some of the size items that are in place."
Stefan Kurylowicz Sr. (position 1) and Stefan Kurylowicz Jr. (position 3) ; Former Professional and/or Community Engagements;
Senior Associate Director of Carrier Relations at Bell Canada (SR)
Contract Specialist at Bell Canada Wholesale (JR)
PHOTO: Stefan Kurylowicz
Presentation Highlights:
"We want to ensure all citizens have a voice, to listen to and respect those who have lived in our community for numerous years, ensure their ideas are well represented and understand the needs of new families. Baie-D'Urfé has a beautiful green canopy; we need to stop Hydro-Québec from butchering our trees every four years. We need to reduce and find alternatives to using salt on our streets; we are a beautiful lakefront community, and the salt drains into our lake."
"Ensure that the City of Montréal taxes our City fairly; the agglomeration tax bill keeps going up; let's make sure we are getting our money's worth."
Contact information:
Emails: stefan.kurylowicz@sympatico.ca
