Sharmila Saigaonkar

I have received a lovely note from our previous chair and she asked me to share with the group. I am honored and deeply touched. It always takes two..........Thank you Nikki............ I first met Sharmila about 8 years ago. Our boys were enrolled in the Air Cadet program, an exceptional youth program. I was immediately attracted to Sharmila because of her gentle and kind approach and her overall calmness and professional appearance. As I got to know her over the years..., I can honestly say that I have learned a lot from her. She is a great listener and a great teacher as well. She is somehow magically able to show people different approaches and ways of doing things. Not many people can do that with the professionalism she has shown to me. Her support and advice became invaluable to me when I became Chairperson of the 2 Whitby Air Cadet Squadron. She was able to bring clarity when we had issues to deal with. Her open mind and gentle disposition is an asset very few people have and can master as well as she has. Sharmila is open to different thoughts and ways of doing things. She will listen to everyone and anyone who approaches her and will make them feel special in a unique way. During our volunteering years together, she was always available to anyone who needed her help. She was readily available to help anytime she was needed. I also watched her raise 2 sons during this time. I watched her raise them to become very independent and successful young men. She also takes care of extended family and her house is always open to anyone who wants to talk or just drop in. Her passion for the community became evident when I watched her willingly canvass during the last election, even though she was not running for anything at the time. She got involved with others in the community as well. She sees the big picture; that a happy, connected community is vital and healthy. I strongly believe she has the best interests of the entire community in her heart and she will do all she can to make Whitby a strong and healthy community. Nikki Tsimiklis - Whitby resident for 18 years.

Hunger to make a difference in the community compels you to get out to knock on the door...having a great time!

My response on Cannabis: In my opinion, I think we as a municipality need to investigate an economic angle before making any decision. I would like to opt out for now and learn from other municipalities who has made the decision to opt in. It will help our municipality to prepare well in the future. If we decide to opt in now, would like to have zoning for retails and restrictions on the availability.

Together we build to make a difference, a vote for your community on October 22nd...

Family, friends and fun.... Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!