I was raised here in New Hamburg, attending Grandview Public School and Forest Glen Public School before graduating from Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph and now work in the forestry department for a neighbouring municipality.

My husband and I are raising our two sons here in the town we love. My parents still live in New Hamburg, allowing me to experience the Township through three generations of my family.

Growing up in New Hamburg, I was fortunate to spend a great deal of time with my grandparents and great-grandmother. One set of grandparents owned and operated a nearby dairy farm, while my other grandparents lived in Baden. My grandparents would often talk about past and current events happening in the Township, from the restoration of Castle Kilbride (my grandmother and I were able to attend the grand opening together) and construction of the new Township administration building to the ongoing water issues.

I try to help out where I can around the Township, whether by coaching my children’s soccer team to volunteering with Let’s Tree Wilmot or helping out at church.

Krista Straus

About me…

Picking strawberries from a local farm.

Myself (left) and my sister Gwen on the river bed of the Nith. This was an exciting time, the dam was being rebuilt, the walking stones were placed in the river, a fish ladder was added and this was when the iconic water wheel was being built.

As a family we enjoy the Nith River whether it’s canoeing, fishing, or hiking.

Wilmot is a place where local people can start and grow businesses, and that spirit is one of our greatest strengths. We are a stronger community because of it. With our Prime Farmland and a community that values agriculture, we are a unique place. We’re lucky to have food grown and produced here that you can find in our local grocery stores, used as ingredients by local businesses, and served in our community restaurants.

To ensure that current businesses can thrive and new ones can start here, our tax rates must be predictable and reasonable. I’m especially concerned about people on fixed incomes, working families, and anyone feeling the financial pinch. I believe every decision council makes needs to keep the budget and future costs into account.

I decided to run for council because I have been actively attending Township and Regional Council meetings and have been concerned about some of the decisions that have been made. By attending open houses on the Regional budget, Wilmot Township budget, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, water issues, the 770 acres, rural economic development, being involved in the community and so on, I have gained a deeper understanding of how decisions are shaped and the challenges our community faces.

I have engaged with other municipalities to learn from their approaches and to gain some ideas. As a municipal employee, I bring firsthand knowledge of the responsibilities of each level of government and how a municipality operates.

My Platform

  1. Budget and Property Taxes

  • Get a clear take on our municipal debt and reserves

  • Consider the long-term financial impact when making decisions

  • Have transparent, clear and complete budgets that are easy for the public to follow

  • Make sure the 10-year capital plan is updated yearly

  • Reasonable tax rates

2. Economic Development

  • Complete a Wilmot Economic Development Strategy that is led by Wilmot (including local businesses, agriculture, New Hamburg Board of Trade, New Dundee Board of Trade, Baden Chamber of Commerce, Waterloo-Oxford DSS, etc)

  • Encourage entrepreneurs, small and medium business and local business expansion

3. Wilmot Values and Local Decision Making

  • Advocate and work with upper levels of government while putting Wilmot’s values and interests first

  • Engage and listen to residents, businesses, farmers, and community groups before making decisions

4. Protection of Prime Farmland, Water, and the Environment

  • Manage growth to protect these valuable resources

  • Maintain the Countryside Line

5. Additional Priorities

  • Youth engagement- continue to support youth activities and new youth engagement programs. Continue to have the youth excited to live here

  • Housing- support practical ways to make housing more attainable and ways for seniors to age in the Township

  • Roadway Safety and Crime- working with Waterloo Region Police on solutions and continue to increase their presence in Wilmot Township

  • Nith River- finding solutions to reduce flooding

  • Infrastructure- continue with Asset Management, make sure infrastruction does not get ignored

  • Prime Minister Path- history is explored, including Indigenous perspectives

6. Unwilling Host

  • Do not proceed with projects that will put our water, farmland, wastewater, environment, infrastructure, and community at risk

Contact information: Straus4council@gmail.com

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

If you would like a sign you can email me at straus4council@gmail.com

If you would like to make a donation you can send an e-transfer to straus4council@gmail.com

For donations please include your full name and address in the message.

I greatly appreciate it.

THANK YOU!