Marilyn McAlister profile

Marilyn McAlister

Political/Community Experience:
My business career prior to arriving in Rainy River 16 years ago consisted of positions of increasing responsibility with major corporations in Human Resources. Since then I was employed for six years at the Rainy River Hospital as a secretary. During that time I served two runner up terms on Rainy River town council. Upon my retirement I accepted a ministerial appointment as a director on the Kenora-Rainy River District Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). This appointment has been renewed twice over six years. In this capacity I have dealt on varying levels with a yearly budget of over $8 million and become familiar with government officials. Over this time, the board has faced many challenges calling for tough decisions to be made.

Why are you running for office?
I am putting my name forward because of my deep concern for the present and future course of our town. I would like to be part of a cohesive team, willing and able to bring a new spirit to our town.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Rainy River?
In my opinion the largest challenge facing us is, of course, infrastructure changes. However, I also believe in a two-pronged approach to the overall picture. Longer term issues must and will be planned for and addressed. Meanwhile, we must also do everything in our power to help ourselves while realizing that it will require the will and assistance of every citizen. Council cannot do the job alone. Personally, if elected, I will have an open door policy regarding both constructive criticism and new ideas. With a common front we can, and we will, renew Rainy River.

If elected what do your plan to do about it?
Our first loyalty must be to our struggling retail sector. We need a hook to encourage people to spend in our town. One such hook, I feel, would be “Bird Watching” which is already on our doorstep. In this regard, I have already consulted with a highly respected tour leader and he is of the opinion that we are sitting on a potential bonanza. We are centered on two flyways with a multitude of species. People across the province are already aware to some extent of the area’s potential. What we would need to do would include advertising in the Ontario Field Ornithologist and birding magazines. Working with area camps and local businesses we would make a welcoming environment for bird watchers, offering products of interest to them. Jack Miner’s Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville, Ont. was not built in a day but now has more than a million visitors each year. There is no reason why we can not make Rainy River the “Bird Watching Capital of Northwestern Ontario.”
It is not the whole answer but it is a piece of the puzzle.
In conjunction with it we could also include a nature centre/museum in our plans. Tourists love such facilities and again we have everything at our doorstep, we just need to make use of it.

Other comments about the election or yourself?
I would appreciate your support on election day.