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Erwin Wiens, self-avowed one-term councillor, running again

Incumbent Erwin Wiens has decided to run for a second term of town council. Erwin Wiens let it be known often that his first term of council would also be his last.
Incumbent Erwin Wiens has decided to run for a second term of town council.

Erwin Wiens let it be known often that his first term of council would also be his last.

His plan was to spend four years working at leaving the town in a better position than at the start of the term, and said he felt that by limiting himself to one term, he could speak his mind — and he has, strongly disagreeing with his fellow councillors on occasion and criticizing council decisions.

At the top of the list of his criticisms was the 2022 budget, which he called unsustainable and irresponsible, and which he alone opposed.

Wiens recently decided he can continue to be outspoken and push for a sustainable budget if given a second term.

He says his wife, Dorothy Soo Wiens, has been encouraging him to run, as have many others.

Speaking from Ottawa this weekend, where he is attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, he says. “I’ve received a ton of emails, been in a number of meeting in the last two weeks, and I had to make a decision.”

What is prompting him to seek a second term is his desire and ability to represent the agricultural community, and his ability to reach the Premier and provincial ministers on matters of importance to Niagara-on-the-Lake, he says. He’s especially concerned about the issue of irrigation, which he has been working on since before the last term of council, and has met with the Premier and the Minister of Agriculture with some progress.

Wiens sits on the regional and municipal irrigation committee, “and we’re so close to getting a commitment,” from the province, he says.

It’s so important to the agricultural community, he wants to see it through. “If I don’t champion it, who will? Who will step forward?”

He also continues to be concerned about the town’s financial future, and the need for a sustainable budget, which has eluded council this term.

“That’s what I hear from people, ‘what are you going to do about our taxes, getting our spending in order, being fiscally responsible.’”

Sometimes, council has to say no to requests that they would like to support, but can’t afford. “At the end of the day, the bottom line is always the bottom line.”

Agriculture is so important to the town, Wiens says, and “I feel like I’m making a difference. I’m happy with the work I’m doing. I have an excellent relationship with all levels of government, and can get those meetings that are so important. I have a meeting with the Minister of Tourism Tuesday. We have to leverage tour relationships.”

Wiens says he doesn’t consider himself a politician, “I’m an elected official,” and although he likes to speak out, “it doesn’t mean I’m always right. I’m honest. And I’ve learned we need to be listening more to everybody, communicating, not litigating.”

He says over the first term of council, he’s evolved, listening more, reaching out more, “and giving weight to every aspect of a discussion. We need to be listening to all voices, not just the most vocal ones.”

That might mean less litigation, which he has always “railed against. We haven’t done very well with that, and there is a lot of acrimony on all sides.”

Because legal issues are discussed in closed sessions, “the public is unaware of what happens and then they’re upset.”

He hopes to see a return to civility, and to stand up for everyone. “there are a lot of facets to running a town, and it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to take the difficult road.”

Wiens says having Dorothy by his side is an advantage to him when representing the town. Between the two of them, they know a lot of people, including service clubs, church, and a wide group of friends. 

“Everything we do, we do as a team. We work together.” That gives them the opportunity to talk about issues, and bounce ideas off of each other.

Dorothy says “I’m interested in what he’s interested in, and he’s interested in what I’m interested in. We’re each other’s cheerleaders. I love this town, I’m becoming involved in it, the church groups, the Lions Club, and I love meeting new people.”

“Dorothy and I are in Ottawa together,” Erwin says, “and having both of us here, she meets people I don’t know, and can give me a different perspective. She has made me a more rounded person, able to put forward everyone’s point of view.”

“We’ve been so blessed,” he continues. “We both want to give back, to help others. We’re not ready to hang it up.”




About the Author: Penny Coles

Penny Coles is editor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Local
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