Mary Balinov running for Ward 6 Councillor

Balinov says she'll bring a “no-nonsense” approach to the role if elected

By Zachary Roman

When the property taxes for Mary Balinov's business increased during the pandemic, she became interested in politics.

The Ward 6 Councillor candidate said she felt as though she was being hurt by representatives that are supposed to help those like her. She also said it was unfair that Town of Caledon Council voted to give next term's Mayor and Councillors a 24 per cent compensation increase when they didn't lose pay to the pandemic like many businesses that were shut down.

Balinov moved to Caledon in 1997 with her husband and started the business they still run today: Tisho's Music Academy. From their humble beginnings in their basement to their successful academy on McEwan Drive today, Balinov said the music academy has been a great way to be a part of the community.

The academy is also home to Meaghan's Music Room, a not-for-profit charity that plans, organizes and executes therapeutic music classes for individuals with physical and/or neurological disabilities at no cost.

Balinov said that nothing else but what constituents want should come into play in the political arena.

“I feel strongly that I'm going to work for the people that pay my wages, my salary,” said Balinov. “When I go to the table I'm not going to go there with my ideas, my recommendations. I'm going to go there with the community's support… what the majority of them want.”

Balinov said if elected, she wants to host community meetings every few months where constituents can come and voice their ideas and concerns to her.

“Just bring the community out and put them face-to-face with their Councillors,” said Balinov. “I think people are kind of fed up, they want to see a different direction.”

Balinov has run the business and customer service side of her and her husband's music academy for the past 25 years, and said because of that she has exceptional customer service skills. She said anyone who calls will hear from her personally, get a follow up, and have any concerns addressed.

Balinov said she'll bring this approach to being a Councillor so that people don't feel neglected. 

“I do believe that if people are just looking for someone to go to that will listen, I want to be that person,” said Balinov. “I am very results oriented, so I will get the answers that my constituents need.”

Ward 6 is experiencing traffic safety issues, said Balinov, specifically in terms of the amount of truck traffic that's on Highway 50. She said if elected she's going to be advocating for the extension of Highway 427 up to Highway 9 so fewer trucks will need to come through Bolton.

Balinov is also passionate about environmental issues, helping Caledon's seniors, and helping Caledon's community of individuals with special needs.

Balinov said over 100 individuals with special needs come to Meaghan's Music Room per month and that many of those individuals are from single-parent families. Balinov said the Town of Caledon has always been a great supporter of the music room, but that the Town itself could offer more programs for its special needs community.

Balinov said her leadership style is no-nonsense and that she runs a tight ship with her business. She explained she'll always do what's best for a customer that won't put the business under at the same time. This approach will transfer well to being a councillor, she said.

“I'm willing to talk and listen… I will not make uninformed or bad decisions,” said Balinov. “As far as leadership, I'm like a little puppy dog that latches on to your pant leg and won't let go. I will fight for what's right, I'm not afraid to speak my mind, and I'm not in a popularity contest with anyone. If I feel it's right, then that's what I will fight for. And I think that's what makes a good leader — someone that will fight for you. This is what I want to do for this community.”

Caledon's small businesses need to know that Town Council has their back, said Balinov. If elected, Balinov said she'd like to take a proactive approach when it comes to connecting with businesses. She said she'd want to reach out to them before they need her; to get to know them, learn about what they offer and explain what the Town can offer them. Due to the pandemic, Balinov said lots of personal contact was lost and it's more important than ever to bring it back.

Balinov said with kids returning to school and a sense of normalcy in the air, it's a good time for any Councillor that gets elected to treat the upcoming term of Council as a fresh start. She said Caledon needs more housing, especially for young families. Families are what make small businesses thrive, said Balinov, and Caledon is a community that thrives on small businesses.

More families also means more fun community events such as midnight madness, she said.

“The sad part is, people like myself who raised our children here, now our children are adults, and they can't afford to live here,” said Balinov. “Affordable housing is something I think needs to take priority.”

In order to achieve this, Balinov said the Town has to be more assertive with developers with regards to what they can build. She said Caledon needs more bungalows, townhouses, and condos. When it comes down to it, Balinov said her campaign platform is all about being an honest and trustworthy representative to Ward 6 constituents.

“As far as getting people interested in politics, it's about making them comfortable enough to pick up the phone or come and see me, which I will definitely make happen,” said Balinov. “I'll never lose sight of who's paying me and who I work for… I want people to know that I am here for them and I will go above and beyond.”