She’s a self-professed “politics nerd” and proud of it, and now Jennifer Fisher can put that passion to work.
Fisher was appointed Ward 2 councillor for Ramara Township at a special meeting this week. She fills the vacancy left by Joe Gough after he was named deputy mayor, a seat that was held by John O’Donnell, who died in March.
This is Fisher’s first time being elected to public office, but her interest goes back to when she was a young girl.
When she lived in Orillia, she’d ask her mom to take her to local council meetings.
When she moved to Ramara 11 years ago, she began following township council. The issues hit close to home when an application was filed to rezone an area near her home from rural to aggregate-related zoning.
Fisher was the unofficial spokesperson for a group of concerned residents who were involved in the appeal at what was then known as the Ontario Municipal Board. She decided not to run for council at the time because it would have constituted a conflict of interest in terms of her work with the group.
“I pledged my loyalties to this group of people,” she said.
Later, with running for office still on her mind, those plans took a back seat when Fisher was diagnosed with Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick. She became seriously ill, suffering vision and memory loss.
“There was no way I was well enough (to run for council),” she said. “I never imagined I’d be able to work again. I never imagined I’d be able to drive again. I never imagined I’d be able to shower and wash my own hair again. I’m doing that and more.”
As she recovered, she again turned her thoughts to a council run, figuring she’d seek election in 2022, but when the opportunity came up to put her name forward for the vacant Ward 2 seat, she went for it.
“I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everybody. If it’s not my time, it’s not my time,” she said. “Fortunately, it appears to be my time.”
Council chose Fisher over four other candidates — former mayor Bill Duffy, Connie Laughlin, Colleen McKee and former councillor Marg Sharpe.
If it weren’t for the seat becoming open in mid-term, Fisher said she would have been willing to wait until the next election because she’s satisfied with the job the current council has been doing.
“I was so thrilled with how things were progressing that I almost felt I didn’t need to be there because I trusted their decisions,” she said. “I’m so thrilled that I have the opportunity to sit with these men who I have full faith in already and they get to mentor me at the beginning of my political career.”
Fisher has some experience behind the scenes of politics, having worked on campaigns for Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton and Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey.
She has also worked as a youth adviser, educational assistant and developmental services worker, and served as secretary, treasurer and vice-president with Skills Canada.
She currently works as a wildlife relocation specialist with Saps Fur.
There are certain areas Fisher wants to focus on as a councillor — environmental conservation and preservation, youth opportunities, events for families — but she does not have a specific agenda for this term.
“My main objective is to support council going forward. I will not be the person who was brought in to stop the pendulum swinging in the right direction in terms of progress that’s been made so far,” she said, pointing out she was not elected by residents. “Council chose me on behalf of the people. Next term is when I will create a platform.”
