Hallikas profile

I was born in Fort Frances and graduated from Fort Frances High School.
After getting degrees from both the University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario, I taught mathematics and science at the secondary level in Kitchener, Windsor, and Fort Frances for the past 33 years, as well as courses at St. Clair College in Windsor.
Recently, I retired as head of the math and science department at Fort Frances High School.
I have been married to Debbie for 29 years and together we have three children, Andrew, Lindsey, and Sarah.
Presently, I am employed as an occasional teacher and am a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Teachers. I always have been a vocal supporter of quality public education, particularly in the north.
As an educator, I have served on a number of committees with the local school board. I am also well-known as a union representative for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, having served numerous roles with the OSSTF over the years.
I presently serve as chief negotiator for the OSSTF Occasional Teachers’ Bargaining Unit, am a member of the OSSTF Provincial Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC), am the regional CBC co-ordinator for teacher bargaining, and sit as the occasional teacher rep on the OSSTF Sector Council of Presidents.
I believes Fort Frances is a great community with a big heart—and a wonderful place to raise a family.
I am running for council because I believe I have something to contribute. Over the years, I have accumulated experience and skills through my career as an educator and as a union representative that I feel are transferable to municipal government.
I presently have the time and the energy to commit myself fully to a four-year term as councillor. Fort Frances has been very good to me and to my family—I would like to be able to give something back.
I hope to bring a new, different, and fresh perspective to council.
It is not possible to foresee all of the issues that will arise over the next four years; we are living in a time of rapid change. However, we do need to have a council and mayor in place that can effectively deal with issues as they arise.
There must be clear and frequent communication between council (and mayor) and the people of Fort Frances. We need a council and mayor that work together as an efficient, cohesive, and proactive body in the best interests of the citizens of Fort Frances.
I feel there are a number of issues that require the immediate attention of council and mayor, including the viability of our paper mill, co-operation with International Falls on border concerns (such as tourism and passport requirements), improving local infrastructure (roads, sewer, and water), regional hydro pricing, and youth out-migration.
I believe that Fort Frances is at a crucial point in its development. The voters of Fort Frances now have an opportunity to choose from a strong group of candidates, those who they believe will work together effectively on their behalf.
I hope to be one of those chosen.