Wicken Ward 8

An established reputation of deftly navigating municipal governance with the experience, wisdom, and integrity that ensures success.

Born, raised and Steel City-proud, she has a long list of doing unto others.

For more than 11 years, Wicken  worked for a City Councillor, and as Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, she:

• In charge of the Ward 8 Annual Budget, area rating disbursements, discretionary fund disbursements, advertising, scheduling, and constituent outreach

• Co-ordinated, advertised and launched free neighbourhood events, including — movie nights, festivals, Easter egg hunts, and seniors strawberry socials.

• Worked with the Gourley Park Neighbourhood Association on upgrades to the clubhouse, new walkways, and water service to the concession stand and partnered with the Gourley Park Community Association to support local events. Gourley Park was scheduled for a number of upgrades to take place in 2024

• Organized more than 100 community meetings for Ward 8, both in-person and virtual.

• From October to April facilitated the once a month “Chat with the Councillor “ Saturday events from 12 to4 at Westcliffe Mall."

• Advanced rental housing licensing — pilot approved for Wards 1 & 8.
• Worked with multiple departments to ensure several multi-million-dollar reconstruction projects in several Ward 8 neighborhoods’, like Buchannan and Yeoville working closely with Project Managers on the redevelopment of West 5 th from the escarpment to the Linc deck and from the deck to Stone ChurchRoad West both in road construction and Watermain replacement. Handling the aftermath of many homeowners .

• Shave and Pave of Mohawk Road West.

For more than 30 years, Wicken has been an effective advocate for the community:

• Ward 8 Community Council: founding member and treasurer
• Over those 11 years and to date solved thousands of issues for residents, both from Ward 8 and outreach to adjacent Wards working with the Ward Councillor’s staff when doing so.

• Initiated the Bonnington Buchannan Mohawk Southam Neighbourhood Association “BBMSNA” inviting neighbours to sit on the association in dealing with the double cohort of 2003 ~ 2004 that went on to liaise with the Mohawk College Neighbourhood Liaison Committee”MCNLC”
•  During the “100 year storms” Colleen worked with residents in both Gilbert and Fessenden Neighbourhoods then Ward 8 now Ward 14 in setting forth agendas and progress reports to the neighbourhoods that suffered with flood damage.  Some resident with negative driveways lost vehicles as well as precious family momentos that could never be replaced to flooded basements.

• Shared interest and was a member of The Status of Women Committee, Friends of Auchmar, Save Century Manor, Women’s Canadian Club which sadly after 113 years will celebrate their final luncheon in September, worked with Mike from Acorn at its inception up as well as other grass roots initiatives.

• Close to her heart was sitting on the Superintendents Advisory Committee “SAC” for Division 3 on the mountain. During Wicken's tenure she worked with ever changing Crime Managers, Staff Sergeants, Four Superintendents (even one Commander Bond). During her tenure with SAC she  graduated the Civilian Police College Course and developed a better knowledge of what our police are made of.

• One of 350 volunteers with Hamilton Out of the Cold (HOOTC) that operates from November 01 through to March 31 every year. Preparing and serving our guests. Starting with an idea 26 years ago with serving one meal to last year HOOTC served 33,518 meals.