Connie Tabbert wrote her own bio, and sent it to me. I add it here with minimal edits, and include some of my own questions added in.
Connie Tabbert, Contributer and Council Candidate
A former editor of the local newspaper Whitewater News and former newspaper The Cobden Sun, is hoping to be sitting at the council table for Whitewater Region after the ballots are counted October 24.
Familiar with the township since moving here in 2003, Connie Tabbert wants to continue the work of previous councils – that of ensuring this township continues to thrive, that it continues to be a place to live, work and play.
Mrs. Tabbert knows the importance of talking to people to find out what they would like to see the direction of the township move towards; what is important to them.
The population of the township was moving in the direction of a senior one, but more families have been moving into the area over the past few years.
“I believe all age groups are living, working and playing in our municipality,” she said.
Council must ensure the survival of our municipality by creating infrastructure that supports our growth, such as well-maintained roads, sports facilities, cultural facilities and water and waste-water plants.
“We must find a way to encourage businesses to come to our municipality, which will be followed by more people moving here,” Mrs. Tabbert said. “But, it’s also important, to ensure the businesses in our municipality have the support of its council, that it works to ensure those businesses continue to thrive.”
This is Mrs. Tabbert’s second time running for council, not being successful in 2010. A 61-year-old widow, she has the time to put in the work she knows is necessary to learn as much as she can what it means to be a Councillor. She has covered council meetings for many municipalities since she became a reporter in 1990.
Since moving here, Mrs. Tabbert has become involved in various community organizations, some she remains with, others she has left. She is currently a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Connect Well (formerly Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre) and Grace United Church.
In 2008, she married Queens Line farmer Tim Tabbert and was devastated when he died of brain cancer in July 2021.
When The Sun newspaper was closed in 2012, Mrs. Tabbert, with financial support from businessman Joe Kowalski, began The Whitewater News within a year. After five years with that paper, she handed the reins to someone else, but continued covering various municipal events, including council, for The Eganville Leader.
Mrs. Tabbert believes reporting on council activities over the past many years has provided her with a good background of what’s happening in our municipality. She understands council must work as a team to get things done, but must also include the community at various times on the team.
“I have the time to dedicate towards our municipality more than I have ever had before,” she said. “I have volunteered with various organizations and know who to go for help or ask for help when needed.
“The residents of this community care about it and want to ensure its survival. Many have met me through my jobs, my volunteer work and through social media.”
Mrs. Tabbert is a stepmother to Tim’s adult children, daughter Amanda and her partner Alain; and his son, Christopher and wife Amy, and grandmother to two wonderful youngsters, Henry and Veronica; recently became the ‘mom’ to Tatty, who is a 19-week-old black Labrador Retriever; is retired from reporting after 32 years; owns a home in Lakewood Mobile Home Park off Cedar Haven Drive and continues to volunteer in the community, recently taking on delivering Meals on Wheels and re-taking the course to become a senior fitness instructor through Connect Well.
You can reach Mrs. Tabbert through her election email, [email protected] and her Facebook page, Connie White Tabbert.
Editor’s Questions:
What do you bring to the position?
“The ability to talk to people and to listen to them. Because I’ve covered councils for 30 odd years I have some knowledge of how council works. I think I can listen.”
What kind of issues are you planning to address?
“We’re really going to have to take a look at our recreation, and I don’t mean just hockey. Recreation covers a broad spectrum. I know hockey was a big thing, but it’s fallen off over the years. There’s so many questions as to why we only focus on hockey. We have figure skating, hockey, and soccer.”
“It’s so much more than that. Years ago, maybe not so much. The cost’s gotten out of control, and the council subsidized. I do have to look into the issue of the three area. The Township owns the arenas, but why? The Council owns it, but the community built them. “I know Westmeath and Cobden were funded by volunteers, I don’t know about Beachburg. I’m going to look into why that is; I’ve been asked for. That’s one of my focuses right now.”
What is your stance on the cost of water in Cobden
“That’s because a user pay system. If you were to consider, now i do not know per year how much people pay for water. If I lived on the farm, It would cost me an easy 20,000 dollars. With Beachburg and Cobden they get to pay it over time, but how long it would pay it over time. We had to test our well, and pay someone to dig our well. I don’t know how to lower the cost without more development business development. You certainly can not ask those who don’t use it on a daily basis.”
