Cambridge built.
Running for you.
Ryan Bolender has lived in Cambridge for 45 of his 47 years in Galt, Preston, and Hespeler. He knows this city because he's been part of it his entire life.
Meet Ryan Bolender
Hi Cambridge. My name is Ryan Bolender, and I’m running to become your next Mayor.
I’m 47 years old and have lived in Cambridge for almost my entire life. I’m the son of a self-employed construction contractor and one of the longest-serving community nurses in Cambridge’s history. I’m the husband of a loving and supportive local realtor, and the proud father of three beautiful, intelligent, and very active daughters.
In 1998, I started a lawncutting and snow shoveling business to pay for my university education. While living at home and running my business, I achieved both my Bachelor and Master degrees in political science from the University of Waterloo.
Over the course of my life, I’ve lived in each of Cambridge’s three unique and historic districts. My Galt memories include the Cambridge Fall Fair, Minor Baseball at Churchill and Dickson Parks, and lunch breaks at L.A. Frank’s. Much of my childhood was spent in Preston delivering newspapers to the west side of King Street, swimming at Eddie’s Pool, biking the Linear Trail, playing softball at Riverside Park, and keeping Dairy Queen and the Penalty Box in business. My grandma’s place above the old Tim Hortons was the best seat in the house for the Canada Day parade and fireworks.
Having settled in Hespeler to raise our family, we now enjoy everything the village has to offer the restaurants, Hespeler Minor Hockey, the Forbes Park Music Festival, the Friday Farmers’ Market, and the Santa Claus Parade. I’m also eagerly anticipating the upcoming Hespeler Reunion.
Giving back is part of who we are.
I believe a strong community is built by its people — and I’ve always been committed to being one of them.
Why I’m Running?
For decades, I have had my “ear to the ground” for all things Cambridge through business, sport, volunteering, and its many local publications and social media communities. Increasingly over the past few years, the discontent with our city’s current leadership and direction has become vividly apparent. From property taxes continuously outpacing already high inflation, to core services declining despite the increases, to infrastructure not keeping up with development, to diminishing public safety and to so many people just suffering in general, the current council just seems out of touch with the reality of its residents. This Council appears deeply divided with political partisanship and pet projects taking precedence over collaboration and consensus to the benefit of all Cambridge residents. It has become clear that Cambridge needs change.
I am your classic entrepreneur. Outside of a couple summers in high school, I have never had a traditional job. I have filled every possible role within my business from customer service agent to sales representative to general labourer to bookkeeper to project manager, and I have done so working 60-70 hours per week for the past 28 years. I know this city unlike most. I am a problem solver. I am a decision maker. I am uncompromised and unencumbered by partisanship and the whims and desires of special interests.
This mayoral campaign will be my first ever job interview, and you, the people of Cambridge, will be conducting it. My expectation for myself is that I work relentlessly to earn your trust and that I am honest, transparent and accountable in doing so. Our city needs change, but not just change for the sake of change, we need change that works, and I believe that I can deliver on that undertaking for all of you. Over the next several months, I hope to meet with as many of you as possible. Thank you Cambridge for allowing me this opportunity!
