Jim Degurse has 14 years of experience in municipal government under his belt.
The retired electrician is committed to the job and hopes voters support him at the polls and elect him to another term as a Ward 1 councillor in St. Clair Township.
“I understand the responsibility that comes from having the honour to represent the citizens of the township,” Degurse says, adding he will continue to make open communication with citizens a priority. “They come to me and I guess they think I get results,” he explains. “I do my best to get answers and get back to them.”
Degurse says the township is in “pretty good shape” financially, but upgrades, including a revamp of the Mooretown Sports Complex are needed.
“There’s some talk about building a new one, but that costs too much,” he says. “We may need to do improvements in stages.”
Degurse, who is among five candidates vying for three seats in Ward 1, is pleased so many are running in what is usually a sleepy election.
“We’ve got a lot more interest this year,” he says. “That’s good to see.”
Currently on the mend from radiation treatments for cancer, Degurse says he plans to keep “plugging away” on behalf of the electorate.
When it comes to leadership, Degurse says he believes in a “team” approach, and hearing from residents is the way to prioritize spending.
If elected, Degurse pledges to support low tax rates without compromising essential services, emphasizing responsible fiscal management. That includes ongoing commercial, industrial and agricultural development, addressing local policing concerns, and working on maintaining parks and recreation facilities.
Environmental responsibility is also on Degurse’s radar, with a special nod to improved recycling.
He also wants to improve streets and roads and the areas parks and sewer and drainage systems.
Degurse has a lengthy list of volunteer accomplishments as a member of the Knights of Columbus, volunteer with Lambton Elderly Outreach, Operation Christmas Tree.
He’s also a past president of the Moore Agricultural Society.
Degurse says he’s proud to call St. Clair Township home.
“It’s a great place to live, work and play,” he adds.