Candidate Profile
Amanda Quennell
October 18, 2006
Hard working volunteer, and father to one, Duane LeeAllen, has focused on aiding the community over the past few years. His wife, Judy and 10 month old daughter Chloe, are the reason for his continual hard work. LeeAllen grew up Roman Catholic, although now has no affiliation to a specific church. His religious beliefs or lack there of do not deter him from helping the community and the families within to grow. LeeAllen was raised in a lower income area of Toronto, with his parents, and since moving to Brantford has realized the similarities between the two cities. His attempts are to improve the downtown area and clean up the city.
LeeAllen has been a part of Habitat for Humanity for two years now, working on several building projects within the downtown residential core. He has helped build up to four family homes, as well as helping with Empire Communities, which is an organization that is involved with building residential and commercial structures, and are responsible for the Wyndfield Community, in Brantford. LeeAllen has also sat on many building committees within the community. In total, he claims to have spent 200 to 300 hours of time per year helping out within the area.
As a local entrepreneur, he feels that his awareness of the community along with his ability to make a business work makes him the perfect candidate for Ward 5 councilor in this years election held on November 13th. LeeAllen supports his family and himself through a small business, Brant Artscapes Inc which was established as an Artist studio, gallery and economic development center. The facility promotes both Artists and new businesses with shared and private studio spaces. The center also offers various programs for youth, youth at risk, and a program called introduction to industry which received approval from the ministry of education being a non-certified program. Those teaching introduced individuals to cabinetry, welding, machine, and other trades in order for them to experience various aspects of industry to help them make a more informed career choice. Promotions for members were also a priority for the center.
Although, before LeeAllen got his business up and running he presented the business plan for Brant Artscapes in 2001, to a member of council and senior staff, but not to the council as a whole. His purpose was to possibly establish Brant Artscapes as a non-profit center funded by the city and organizations. Unfortunately, LeeAllen was turned down, so he got Brant Artscapes established based around membership funding. In 2003, Ward 5 councilor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, allegedly, used LeeAllens’ business plan without permission and established the BCN, Brantford Cultural Network, whose main goal is to promote and encourage arts and culture in Brantford, which was the same plan LeeAllen proposed.
LeeAllen now wishes to unseat existing Ward 5 councilor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith on accusations of corruption. He believes that he represents the “average person” and the corruption will not end until it is known. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” stated LeeAllen. “It starts with one person.” LeeAllen feels his dedication to the people of Brantford through his extensive volunteer work will bring him out on top. “I like to help people, and sometimes do it in detriment to myself.”
Amanda Quennell
October 18, 2006
Hard working volunteer, and father to one, Duane LeeAllen, has focused on aiding the community over the past few years. His wife, Judy and 10 month old daughter Chloe, are the reason for his continual hard work. LeeAllen grew up Roman Catholic, although now has no affiliation to a specific church. His religious beliefs or lack there of do not deter him from helping the community and the families within to grow. LeeAllen was raised in a lower income area of Toronto, with his parents, and since moving to Brantford has realized the similarities between the two cities. His attempts are to improve the downtown area and clean up the city.
LeeAllen has been a part of Habitat for Humanity for two years now, working on several building projects within the downtown residential core. He has helped build up to four family homes, as well as helping with Empire Communities, which is an organization that is involved with building residential and commercial structures, and are responsible for the Wyndfield Community, in Brantford. LeeAllen has also sat on many building committees within the community. In total, he claims to have spent 200 to 300 hours of time per year helping out within the area.
As a local entrepreneur, he feels that his awareness of the community along with his ability to make a business work makes him the perfect candidate for Ward 5 councilor in this years election held on November 13th. LeeAllen supports his family and himself through a small business, Brant Artscapes Inc which was established as an Artist studio, gallery and economic development center. The facility promotes both Artists and new businesses with shared and private studio spaces. The center also offers various programs for youth, youth at risk, and a program called introduction to industry which received approval from the ministry of education being a non-certified program. Those teaching introduced individuals to cabinetry, welding, machine, and other trades in order for them to experience various aspects of industry to help them make a more informed career choice. Promotions for members were also a priority for the center.
Although, before LeeAllen got his business up and running he presented the business plan for Brant Artscapes in 2001, to a member of council and senior staff, but not to the council as a whole. His purpose was to possibly establish Brant Artscapes as a non-profit center funded by the city and organizations. Unfortunately, LeeAllen was turned down, so he got Brant Artscapes established based around membership funding. In 2003, Ward 5 councilor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, allegedly, used LeeAllens’ business plan without permission and established the BCN, Brantford Cultural Network, whose main goal is to promote and encourage arts and culture in Brantford, which was the same plan LeeAllen proposed.
LeeAllen now wishes to unseat existing Ward 5 councilor Marguerite Ceschi-Smith on accusations of corruption. He believes that he represents the “average person” and the corruption will not end until it is known. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” stated LeeAllen. “It starts with one person.” LeeAllen feels his dedication to the people of Brantford through his extensive volunteer work will bring him out on top. “I like to help people, and sometimes do it in detriment to myself.”
posted by Amanda* at 7:37 AM
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