Feature - Tom & Sue Omstead

Kingsville residents Tom and Sue Omstead have spent many years devoted to improving the community. They have been involved in a number of initiatives including advocating for improved cycling safety in and around Essex County through Share The Road, they helped establish the Leamington Stands Strong initiative that encouraged the community to shop local after the closure of the Heinz Plant, and they lobbied for local residents to have access to KI pills in the event of a nuclear disaster. Tom and Sue have also served on various committees and have organized a triathlon and other walk/run/ride charity events.

Why is community involvement so important to you?

For us, one of the signs of a vibrant and healthy community is the level of engagement of its residents. We get great satisfaction working with other community members who are focusing on ways to improve the quality of life in our area. One of the many advantages of living in a small town is that everyone who wants to has a good opportunity to get involved and make a contribution to the community in some way. One of our favourite sayings is from Lily Tomlin: “I said, ‘Somebody should do something about that’. Then I realized that I’m somebody.”

What advice do you have for others who want to make a difference in the community?

There are a lot of ways to make a difference: • Town Council deals with a lot of matters that affect the community. Keep apprised of what’s on the agenda at municipal council meetings (they’re easy to find online) and, if you have an opinion about something on the agenda, let your councillors know. In our experience, councillors welcome reasoned and respectful input from residents. • Vote with your dollars and buy local to support your local economy (your friends and neighbours!) as much as possible. • Think about what matters to you and then take action. Find out if there’s a group that shares your ideas/interests and, if so, join them. If there’s not an organized effort yet, start one! Engage others who are “can do” people to help. • Be a living example of whatever you want your community to embrace. Be confident to act differently.

Outside of your community involvement, what are some of the ways you stay active?

Almost every day we get outdoors, ideally in nature, to do some kind of physical activity. We love to run, bike, hike, cross-country ski, paddle and sail, just to name a few. We enjoy exploring new places, nearby and far away. We love spending time with friends and family. We often ask ourselves “When’s the last time you’ve done something for the first time?”