Tim Forster believes the recent renovation at his home at 56 Church Street represents his philosophy when it comes to the city: preserve its heritage while providing modern luxuries.
Forster is running for councillor in the upcoming municipal election. He brings to the race experience in municipal politics – though not as an elected official – and 30 years as an independent insurance agent. He works for the Stratford Festival finding in-town accommodations for talent. He also has experience on various boards and committees.
Forster and his wife Barb moved to Stratford in 2020 after deciding that they wanted to live in a small town. They searched Canada-wide for the right spot and found their house on Church Street that they now call home.
It was a public renovation, with neighbours and residents from across the city speaking to Forster about the project. He met many people from the city because of the renovation. How quickly the Forsters integrated into the community is nothing short of phenomenal, he said.
When asked about whether he wanted his address published, Forster argued that accountability is important in a councillor, and if people know where you live, they will hold you accountable.
Accountability is a major issue for Forster in this upcoming election. Recent ‘fiascos’ as he called them – like the Xinyi glass factory and the Queen/Trow development – are key examples of this issue.
The proposed Xinyi glass factory on the city’s south end caused a stir in the community for its ‘backroom meetings’ by city council. While the factory would bring hundreds of jobs to the area, many citizens took issue with how the city went about the proposal.
The Queen/Trow development of the former Golden Bamboo restaurant and neighboring houses proposed a four-storey residential building that had many citizens concerned as the area is a heritage corridor.
In a blog post on his website, timforstratford.ca, Forster said the last straw leading to his declaration to run for counicl, was the Municipal Accommodations Tax (MAT). The MAT tax is a four per cent tax on short term rentals like hotels, motels, and B&Bs. It is set to go into effect next July. Some city councillors noted that many municipalities and tourist destinations across the country have similar taxes.
Forster understands why council is considering it, but thinks it is misguided.
‘‘Council based their decision on outdated information and without the public consultation promised," he said.
Council thought it was a good idea to add additional tax hardship to seniors who run small accommodations within their homes, after two years of COVID with no income, the blog post states.
"Council could have deferred the vote until due process was completed."
Forster said heritage is important to him. Along those lines, Stratford needs intensification, but it should retain its small-town character, he said, adding that people come to Stratford for more than the Festival - they come for the people.
‘‘The perception of the last council is that it had a closed mind. I am committed to having a council with an open mind.’’
Deadline for declaring to run in the upcoming municipal election is Aug. 19. The election is Oct. 24.
For more information on Tim Forster’s campaign, visit his website.
