Hometown News Election Centre

I am seeking this position to serve Drummond/North Elmsley’s residents and businesses. My municipal background and hands-on experience within the township have given me a solid understanding of how to address emerging issues while supporting the services residents rely upon.

Maintaining and upgrading municipal assets is essential. Roads, the waste site, vehicles, facilities and recreational amenities must be maintained properly to extend their useful lives. I would advocate for council to make protecting these assets a priority.

Attracting businesses to a rural municipality has been challenging. Drummond/North Elmsley has potential because it borders Perth and Smiths Falls and includes part of the Highway 7 corridor. As growth moves this way, I would revive the township’s economic-development efforts.

Public meetings, open houses, delegations and face-to-face discussions provide valuable public input. Difficult municipal decisions are often guided by policies, bylaws and legal opinions. An open exchange of viewpoints and rationale can help resolve disagreements or make them less divisive.

Balancing affordable property taxes with rising service and infrastructure costs is a constant challenge. I would focus on essential spending and legislated obligations while pursuing external funding and partnerships with federal, provincial and neighbouring municipal governments to keep taxes as low as possible.

I favour residential growth in planned rural developments such as Trillium Estates or The Pines rather than development on open farmland. Good agricultural land must be protected. Buffers and setbacks along waterways are also essential to preserving the environment and Drummond/North Elmsley’s rural character.

I have always been involved throughout my career as a MOE Provincial Officer, working for people and municipalities in my community. I have eight years of Council experience working to keep taxes low while ensuring residents receive exceptional service.

The Township is seeing an increase in the demand for housing as the expansion of Ottawa continues. It is important to maintain our rural nature while accommodating development pressures. I would try to ensure the protection of our farming heritage while supporting development in areas that make economic sense.

The Township has been doing an excellent job of planning for the future in several areas to meet current/future demands for service. With that said I would look for opportunities with neighbouring municipalities and the County to share more services to reduce costs for all of us.

I feel it is important to be straightforward and honest with people so they know that you have listened to them but may not agree with them. I am always open to constructive discussion and have at times changed my mind as new information is presented.

Our Council lives with this scenario every day. The key is to manage projects like roads so that they are shovel-ready and we can leverage Provincial and Federal funding to take maximum advantage of what is on offer. We constantly update our priority list based on available funds.

We revised our Official Plan last year. This document provides protection for our best agricultural land and controls growth through severances. I support the goals of this plan, which are to protect the rural nature of DNE, our waterways and farmland. I would ensure continued updates to our Official Plan.

I was born and raised in Drummond/North Elmsley and am proud to be continuing that tradition by raising my young family here. My wife, Sierra, and I have a two-year-old daughter, Scottie, with another child on the way this fall. At 27, I own and operate a successful carpentry business. In addition to my business, I own and farm 100 acres in Drummond Ward, where I raise a herd of registered Black Angus cattle. I have also served the community for eight years as a volunteer firefighter. The reason I’m running for council is because I believe the next generation needs a voice at the council table and needs to be actively involved in shaping our future. I would bring practical business experience, a strong work ethic and a long-term commitment to this community. I believe my accomplishments to date demonstrate my ambition, willingness to work hard and commitment to building a strong future for my family and the community I am proud to call home.

Maintaining affordability while meeting growing infrastructure needs is a major challenge. Council must provide reliable roads and services while respecting taxpayers’ ability to pay. I would support disciplined spending, long-term planning and careful review of priorities to ensure residents receive value for their hard-earned tax dollars.

I believe Drummond/North Elmsley Township could do more to support sustainable economic development and create opportunities for local businesses to grow. We have a strong rural community, but we should be looking at how the township can better support those who want to invest, build and create jobs here. I would like to see a more proactive approach to economic development, including making it easier to navigate municipal processes and promoting the township as a great place to do business. Development needs to be balanced with protecting our agricultural land, rural character and natural environment, but responsible growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. I would also like to see more consideration given to the next generation of residents and business owners. As a young business owner and father, I want to see a township where people can build a career, start a business, raise a family and remain here for the long term. A specific change I would propose is developing a clear economic development strategy focused on attracting and retaining local businesses, supporting existing entrepreneurs and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. I believe a strong local economy benefits everyone and helps ensure DNE remains a vibrant community for generations to come.

Growing up, I saw firsthand through my stepfather’s service as township reeve that elected officials must listen to many perspectives. I will make my own decisions, but I will listen respectfully, ask questions and consider opposing views. Disagreement does not mean someone’s concerns should not be heard and considered.

Council must focus on needs, not wants, and plan infrastructure investments well in advance. Roads and essential services must be maintained, but taxpayers also need affordability. I support responsible budgeting, long-term asset planning and finding efficiencies before asking residents to pay more.

As a local farmer and property owner, I understand the importance of protecting productive agricultural land and our rural character. Growth should be planned responsibly, directing development where appropriate while protecting farmland, waterways and the features that make Drummond/North Elmsley a special place to live.

I’m seeking a Drummond Ward 1 council seat to give back to the community my family has called home for almost 50 years. With more than 40 years of leadership experience managing complex projects, budgets and employees, I offer a practical voice focused on accountability, common-sense solutions and thoughtful decisions.

I believe that maintaining essential infrastructure and services while keeping taxes affordable is a big challenge and a delicate balancing act. In a large rural township, roads and services are costly. I would focus on long-term strategic planning, responsible and realistic budgeting, communicating clear priorities and ensuring residents understand where their tax dollars are going and why.

Drummond North Elmsley is efficient and well run, but communication and transparency can always improve. I support clearer, more accessible information about major projects, spending and decisions, including costs, options and expected outcomes. Residents should understand what council is doing and why, and how money is spent.

I will lead by example by being courteous, patient and willing to listen. Residents deserve to be heard, even when we disagree. Before deciding, I will consider opposing views, ask questions and weigh the facts, costs, benefits and long-term effects. I will then explain my decision clearly and confidently.

Council must prioritize needs, plan infrastructure spending years ahead and practise disciplined budgeting. I support an up-to-date asset management plan, competitive purchasing and worthwhile partnerships and grants. Tax increases must be transparent and justified. I will also champion small businesses, which are essential to a prosperous community and strong economy.

Growth should be planned, responsible and consistent with our rural character. I support development that complies with the Official Plan while protecting farmland, waterways and wetlands. Clear, predictable rules can encourage investment without sacrificing the environment and rural qualities that make Drummond North Elmsley a place to live and work.

I am from here and for here, having been raised on a farm in the same township where my family has lived and farmed for more than 150 years. Now that I am raising my own family, I feel a greater responsibility to ensure this remains an exceptional place for us to live and grow.

Balancing growth and sustainability strikes me as important after seeing the massive urbanization of neighbouring rural areas during the past five to 10 years. We must ensure the residents of Drummond/North Elmsley Township continue to grow, thrive and enjoy their community while maintaining the township’s rural character.

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Having spent my professional career in health care collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, governing bodies, individuals, families and communities, I welcome input from people with different opinions. Different is not wrong. There is always something to learn, and there may be perspectives or courses of action I have not considered.

Fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability from council are paramount to ensuring these essential services remain available to rural residents. Additionally, triaging needs and maintaining a pragmatic approach to ensuring accessibility for emergency response and safety for those travelling on our roads should continue to be priorities.

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I have served Drummond/North Elmsley over the past eight years, both as a councillor and deputy reeve.

The most important issues facing Drummond/North Elmsley Township are keeping taxes low, keeping our infrastructure in good condition and trying to attract new businesses to our township.

I think Drummond/North Elmsley is being run very well, thanks to our staff and current council.

Before making any decisions, you have to listen seriously to both sides and explain your decision to both parties.

Drummond/North Elmsley has one of the lowest tax rates in Lanark County, but taxes must be closely monitored to keep our roads and municipal services intact as costs continue to rise. It becomes more and more difficult.

Growth is very important to the township, but so is our agricultural land. Each severance must be considered individually based on its location and other factors. Development must have appropriate setbacks from waterways and, most importantly, the township’s rural character must be protected. Our official plan must be adhered to.

I would like to see the Township surpass what is now offered. I bring 10 years of experience as a councillor in Montague and their representative on RVCA for 15 years. Past member of the Lanark trails and agriculture committee. Current president of Breeder Finance and director of Valley Feeder finance.

Recreational services and costing that we pay into Smiths Falls and Perth. Those municipalities look to build new infrastructure that will also serve us. We have a cost sharing agreement that we pay into that I want to make sure we have full access to and is affordable.

We need to have a better understanding of our road network and the traffic counts and types of vehicles on them. This should be incorporated into the road's needs plan which will help with planning and budgeting maintenance standards, resurfacing and upgrades.

As a member of council my Email and phone number would be on the township website for contact availability. I would bring forward a motion for a public meeting in the evening for residents to voice their opinion so we can make sure they are heard.

Revenue needs to cover expenses and cannot run a deficit. Have core infrastructure separate from emergency services. Make sure our needs are dealt before our wants. Have staff follow potential provincial grant applications to assist with the coverage of emergency services.

Our agricultural land is important for the food we eat and needs to be protected. We should prioritize housing on land that requires less studies and has fewer restrictions which will speed up the process and lower the cost.

Having lived in the township almost my entire life, I understand the community and what residents expect from council and staff. Five years on council have also given me a greater understanding of township operations and what is required to maintain essential services.

Keeping taxes affordable while maintaining services is a primary concern. This includes summer road maintenance and winter plowing. Everyone wants their road plowed first, but council must balance expectations with the number of trucks and crew members the township can reasonably afford.

The township has a top-notch staff team dedicated to helping residents address specific issues. Council should continue focusing on retaining these quality employees.

I am happy to discuss any issue with residents and explain my reasoning. Council cannot please everyone, so decisions must ultimately be based on what will provide the greatest benefit to the township.

Council must balance what is needed with what is affordable. It should determine which infrastructure requires immediate attention, what can wait another year or two, and plan the budget accordingly.

My farming background informs my support for protecting productive agricultural land while directing development toward lower-quality land. The possibility of the Alto high-speed rail line crossing the township is also concerning. Too many questions remain unanswered to determine whether the project would provide a positive outcome.

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