First Time Candidate Seeks Change.
Jim Dobson (or “Jimbo” as the students call him) has decided to throw his farmer’s hat into the ring for this year’s municipal election, on Oct 27.
More specifically, Mr. Dobson is running for to represent Whitewater Region and Admaston/Bromley townships as the trustee for the Renfrew County District School Board.
Mr. Dobson was raised on his family’s homestead heritage farm on Snake River Line, near Cobden. He has been a most of his life. Mr. Dobson is married to Beth for 33 years and they have two grown children and three grandchildren. Mr. Dobson has had a long career as a school bus driver and hears the concerns of his students and their parents.
Mr. Dobson attended Cobden and Opeongo High schools, his children grew up in the public school system as well. His love of sports, along with his desire for children to learn and have fun playing sports carried on when he coached and umpired boys and girls minor softball teams for 25 years. Mr. Dobson was also vice-president of the Upper Ottawa Valley Minor Ball Association.
Mr. Dobson has been involved with children both in and outside of school for many years. He has helped run a Breakfast Club at Cobden Public School, helped run a Youth Group in the Cobden area, hosted “Farm Days” on his farm to let children from numerous schools experience farm life for a day. Mr. Dobson was a Church Warden for both St. Patrick and St. Paul’s churches and has been very involved with Sunday School and church programs for 22 years.
Mr. Dobson decided to run for Trustee after attending a “Staggered Bells” meeting at Opeongo High School. The public were invited to attend and subsequently felt that they had neither a voice nor a vote. Many families were displaced as a result of the trustees voting in favour of staggered bells. This was supposed to be a pilot project, however, there has never been a report on the outcome.
Other issues of concern are the closing of rural schools, support of high needs students in the classrooms and declining enrollment. Technology is a great tool in the classroom, but not at the expense of the 3 R’s, Mr. Dobson feels.
Whether you are a student, parent, or resident – it is the trustee’s role to advocate on your behalf. Transparency and accountability- a good place to start is publishing recorded votes, and listing trustees’ expenses on line.
“When I coached softball, I told my kids if you are happy with the game, don’t take the bat off your shoulder, and don’t swing at the ball,” Mr. Dobson said. “If you want to change the game, take the bat off your shoulder, and swing at the ball. I would like your vote so I can help change the game.”
