Fred Fowler

Oct 02, 2014

Councillor

Fred Fowler – painter, retired police officer turned politician

Fred Fowler spent 24 years working for the Toronto Police department, but he came from a small town in northern Ontario. He has painted all of his life.

When he retired from the Toronto police force he wanted to live in the countryside again, and purchased property near Snow Road just this side of the border with Lanark County. A few years later, he and his wife Sarah purchased an old creamery next to their property and they renovated it as their home and art studio. He worked for a number of years as a paralegal, helping people in traffic court deal with traffic tickets. When he retired from that business this summer he was freed up to seek political office.

“I decided to run for council because I care about our community and this area that I have grown to appreciate. I am told by the people of Snow Road and area that they want equal representation in council so that their concerns are addressed. I travelled all over Ward 3 and spoke to many people who want someone who will take the time to listen to them and be willing to take their issues to council. I think I am that person,” he said.

One of things that concerns him, and this goes back to his background, are the increases in policing costs.

“I know from the inside how policing works, how much money is involved, and what kind of service we get in North Frontenac. I also know from attending Council meetings that this is not going to be easy for the township to swallow. The costs are too high; the increase is too much.”

Among the things that he said he would push for on Council, are the interests of some of the most isolated residents in Ward 3, those who live on Norcan and other lakes in the vicinity of Calabogie.

“The township is negotiating with Madawaska Highlands to get fire and waste management services for those people and I would work to make that happen,” he said.

He has been talking to residents all summer and attending Council meetings and said he is generally impressed by how council operates.

But there are exceptions.

“I am concerned about some projects voted on by council with good intentions in mind that turn out terribly wrong and become wasted tax dollars simply because there was not enough time and thought taken to consider all the possible factors of the issue and the effects it may have in the future.”

However he said he does not intend to be a negative force on Council, if elected.

“I want to play a positive role in council and use my police and legal background to assist council in making positive decisions that will benefit the people of North Frontenac Township.”