Ross Sutherland

Sep 25, 2014

Councillor

Ross Sutherland – the guy on the bike

Residents of Loughborough District who haven't paid much attention to health care reform in the region or provincial elections in Frontenac County may not have known Ross Sutherland before this summer.

That changed after he put his name in as a candidate for Council. Throughout the summer and early fall, Sutherland has been parking his car at the end of some of the long country roads in the district, pulling his bike off the roof racks and cycling down the roads, stopping at each house to talk municipal politics.

Aside from outlining his own goals, he says he has learned a lot about his neighbours.

“There are a lot of people doing interesting things, people with stories to tell,” he said.

One of the things that he has noticed in his travels is the number of solar panel installations dotting the local landscape.

“I am amazed by the numbers and it makes me think that South Frontenac could even set out, as a goal, the idea of being self-sufficient in terms of energy. I realize it is a stretch but it could be a focus for township policies regarding renewable energy, which would be good for everyone,” he said.

Ross Sutherland works as a nurse in Kingston. He worked for years at Hotel Dieu Hospital and has worked for the Kingston Health Centre for 6 years. He is the long time chair, now co-chair, of the Kingston and Area Health Coalition, and has been active with the local NDP riding association, serving as president and as the party candidate several times.

“I am nearing retirement and I now have more time to become involved in politics directly. I also find local government to be the most direct, and the most immediate,” he said.

Throughout the campaign he has heard about issues and solutions from all corners of the district, and this has made him even more enthusiastic about the township.

“The heart of our political process is to understand all of these issues and work together on solutions. I look forward to these discussions and challenges. This process is made a lot easier and more effective by the many community-involved people we have in our township,” he said.