DeLuca wants businesses to succeed and residents heard

Jen DeLuca

A lifelong resident and longtime downtown business owner wants to add councillor to her resumé.

Jen DeLuca is running for a councillor’s seat in the Oct. 26 municipal election. She launched her campaign recently with family and friends, noting she is also a teacher.

After pointing out her family background, DeLuca said she knows what it is like to be a small business owner in Amherstburg.

“I understand what it means when council decisions affect local businesses because I have lived those decisions,” she said.

DeLuca noted she has spent over 20 years coaching youth sports “because I believe investing in our young people builds stronger communities.” She stated she also volunteers with organizations in the community such as Miracle League and the Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission.

“These organizations remind me every day how compassionate and generous this community truly is,” she said.

The experience she has gained as a business owner and coaching youth teams have helped shape who she is, adding she is ready to do more.

“I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I believe Amherstburg deserves honest, hard-working individuals with practical leadership,” said DeLuca. “A council that works together to move our community forward.”

DeLuca pledges that, if elected, she will be “a voice for our residents.”

“Council should welcome respectful conversation, not limit it. I believe we need to restore opportunities for residents to participate in council meetings and remove unnecessary barriers that prevent people from speaking directly to their elected officials,” said DeLuca. “Government works best when people feel heard.”

DeLuca added she believes in “responsible spending.”

“As Amherstburg continues to grow, our priorities must be clear,” she said. “We need to invest first in roads, infrastructure and essential services, not just in our downtown core but throughout every neighbourhood in our community. Living in the county and driving or jogging down these roads remind me that Amherstburg is much bigger than just the downtown. We must look for efficiencies, spend wisely and make investments that strengthen our town for the future.”

Stating she plans to continue to be a “strong voice for our local businesses,” DeLuca said “businesses deserve a seat at the table when decisions are being made that directly affect their ability to succeed.”

“Strong businesses create strong communities and they deserve to be heard before decisions are made, not after,” she said.

Growing local jobs needs to be a focus and while DeLuca believes tourism will always be important, it can’t be the only economic strategy.

“We need to attract new businesses and industries that create stable, long-term employment opportunities so our young people can build careers, raise families and choose to stay right here in the community they love,” she said.

DeLuca said she has contemplated running for six years and believes she is ready.

“The support has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “I hope people take the time to get out and vote.”

DeLuca wants businesses to succeed and residents heard

By Ron Giofu