Runs for first term on Bowden council

BOWDEN – The 52-year-old owner-operator of a cake-decorating business is running for a seat on Bowden town council.

Carol Pion, a 17-year resident of the town, says she decided to run for a few reasons:

To do more for the community although she has been involved as a volunteer for many years.

She sees an opening now that a couple of councillors (Lloyd Lane and Sheila Church) have decided not to run again.

Because she wants to help attract residents and businesses to the community.

When asked why she decided to run, Pion says, "mostly because I'm really passionate about this community. I've been here for about 17 years now and I've always been involved, but I really think I can help out with the community this time.

"And I think it was the perfect opportunity. With other councillors leaving, it was just a time for new blood and I think that's what people are looking for."

Pion notes she's been involved in the town's activities for many years, most recently as a purchaser with the Expanding Horizons committee as it coordinates construction of a new community hall.

She also sat on the local FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) board several years ago for a while.

In addition, "I'm always involved with the Ag Society, things like that. I haven't sat on any of their boards, but I've always volunteered," she says.

"I really do believe that Bowden is a progressing town, that it can go forward. But my biggest goal would be that we can set up a strategic plan and structure for the town so that people know where we're going and that we can get there," Pion says.

"That's my biggest goal, is to help grow this town. It's been declining for a while now and we've got some great young families and stuff wanting to come into town and are coming into town, but they're not staying here and we need to make sure that they stay here."

She says to make that happen, council needs to make it attractive for people to set up business in Bowden.

However, because many existing empty buildings are decrepit, Pion says special tax breaks or other incentives should be offered to encourage them to do so.

"There's nothing in town. We have decaying buildings. There's nothing here for anybody to start a business. So I think that is probably one of my main goals, is to get business to stay; to come and to stay here," she says.