Maureen Ralph

for Woodstock City Council 2026

Vote
Maureen Ralph
for Woodstock City Council 2026

on October 26th, 2026

online voting October 10th-25th

Maureen's Priorities for Woodstock

Maureen believes Woodstock families and businesses are already paying enough in taxes. Yes the reality is there are increases in costs before work on a new budget ever begins but she wants to keep property taxes under control while still protecting essential services like roads, water, transit, parks and public safety. She is especially concerned about past irresponsible spending on projects that did not need to be done, and will ask tough questions about every new initiative to make sure it has a clear benefit for residents and good value for taxpayers'
Before approving any major capital project, Maureen will insist on an honest, transparent review of the real need, the use of existing facilities, long-term costs and community engagement. She will ask the tough questions, such as what current facilities are being well used, what gaps exist, and what the operating costs will be year after year. She will scrutinize projects that are more about show than real community benefit, especially if they mean higher taxes or cuts to other services.
Maureen is deeply concerned about homelessness in Woodstock. She recognizes this is a complex issue tied to mental health, addiction, and lack of affordable housing, and believes the city must respond with both compassion and practical solutions. She wants to work with community agencies, health services and county partners to find better supports, safe housing options and long-term solutions so people have a real way out of crisis. As a retired nurse who specialized in mental health, Maureen brings real empathy and understanding to these issues.

She has seen firsthand how people can get stuck in systems that are difficult to navigate and believes that local government should listen to those with lived experience and to frontline workers. While she does not claim to have concrete fixes, her background helps her ask better questions, coordinate services more thoughtfully, and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Work continues to advance on the new Oxford HART Hub – a network of coordinated care designed to support individuals in Oxford County who are facing complex health and social needs, including homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.