Maddie Charlton is running in the Region of Queens Municipality.
Q. What is your full name?
Maddie Charlton
Q. Where are you from?
I grew up in Queens County and have spent the majority of my life here.
Q: What election are you running in?
Councillor for District 3, Region of Queens Municipality
Q. What did you do before you decided to run for office?
I am a small business owner and have been self-employed for the past nine years. I am also a proud mother. I chair the Queens Day Care Association and I am extremely proud of the progress my team and I have made. I am also involved in the planning advisory committee for the Region of Queens, in which I get to see first-hand businesses evolving and growing here in Queens County.
Q. Why have you chosen to run in this election campaign?
I’m running because we need a united council that will work together for our community. After attending a few council meetings, I was really disappointed by how the current council is operating. I also noticed a lack of inclusion for the working class. Council meetings happen in the daytime, which leaves most people unable to attend. As someone who is interested in what is happening, I have asked for the past two years why the meetings weren’t being live-streamed. This is a key factor in connecting the council with the community and should be a priority.
Q. What strengths would you bring to council if you are elected?
I am passionate about our community and truly believe we live in one of the nicest places. I am open-minded, driven, and I have never been afraid to speak up. I am happy to put myself out there and represent the residents of Queens County. I am not a stranger to hard work and I thrive on being busy. I am an excellent communicator, listener, and team player. I have experience with not-for-profit organizations and also nine years of small business experience here in Queens County.
Q. What do you see as the biggest strength/asset of the community/region and what measures would you take to capitalize on them?
The people here in Queens County are our biggest asset. We have an amazing community where people always come together in good times and bad. We have incredible businesses here that have been built from the ground up, some of which have been passed down over multiple generations. This community has some of the hardest working people I have ever met; we need to ensure these people are heard and included. We need to listen to our residents, support, and protect their livelihoods and our environment. This means taking a stand on items some are afraid to speak up against, like open pen fin-fish farm expansions. Our coastline is a huge asset and one we must protect.
Q. What do you feel is the key challenge facing the community/region and how would you work to address it?
The lack of infrastructure here is a huge issue as it is in many surrounding areas. I believe we need to shift the focus from “Retire to Queens” so that we can be attractive to industrial developers. Although this is a beautiful place to retire to, it is also an incredible place to raise a family, start a business, and set down roots. The poverty rate and the lack of housing is very concerning here in Queens. We need better-paying jobs and more affordable housing. High-speed internet is also a problem in our rural areas and although this is being improved upon, we still have a long way to go. COVID-19 has proven everyone needs reliable internet so they can either work from home or access school programs.
Q. What one message do you hope gets out to the voters during this election campaign?
To properly represent our communities as a whole, we need to have a diverse council. I’m asking voters in the upcoming election to take a chance on someone new, be open-minded and invest in those who are invested in your communities. As I have been reading the submissions for meet the candidates, I have noticed there are so many younger, working-class people throwing in their hats in the upcoming election. I personally know people who would like to contribute to their community in this way but with work restrictions and the way our council operates, some simply are not able to do so. My hope is that with a new council this will change as everyone deserves an equal opportunity. To all of the candidates putting themselves out there, thank you for stepping up for your residents.
Q. How can people contact you?
Cell 902-356-3200
https://www.facebook.com/Elect-Maddie-Charlton-District-3-Councillor-103000591478652