Keeping youth in Blandford-Blenheim has motivated Swen Willem Frans van den Heuvel to run for council.
BLANDFORD-BLENHEIM - Swen Willem Frans van den Heuvel immigrated to Canada at a young age and has grown up in the township of Blandford-Blenheim. Willem Frans van den Heuvel is hoping to contribute his time by getting involved with the community. He filed his papers to run for a seat on council. He explained one of the reasons behind his decision to run,"I feel that there are a lot of young people leaving the community...I want to encourage growth for young families this is the reason I am running for council because I see how easy it is to leave here for the brights lights, big city."
With a growing senior population, one of the primary concerns amongst residents was what candidates would do for seniors if elected.
"Because of cuts and everything- providing financial incentives for the seniors to stay is an option however I think that is a bandaid solution and the real solution might be to offer more services and find out what the root cause is."
As for his professional experience,"I have a background in business, I have a diploma from Conestoga College...currently I am an administrator so I'm reading reports, doing reports, crunching the numbers stuff I feel is transferable to a council role."
Willem Frans van den Heuvel also rents ice at the community complex.

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