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Brad Wardell decided to run for Dawn-Euphemia council after trying to get answers from current council members about economic development. The 67 year-old retired mechanic who now runs a riding stable with his wife, says he started asking questions about a greenhouse operator who tried to build in Edys Mills and wasn’t satisfied with the answers he was getting. So,

As Liz Welsh goes door-to-door in Petrolia she’s finding “most people are happy and content.” Welsh, a councillor for the last 12 years, is running for mayor. While the other candidates say people have been talking about the desire for change after the Nov. 2017 resignation of the former CAO under unusual circumstances, Welsh says as she travels door-to-door “not

Bob Maniuk wants to approach Petrolia government like a taxpayer. Maniuk is one of three people running for the mayor’s position Oct. 22. And he says each of those people come at the position with a different view. One, he says, is “defending the administration that is there now” and the other is talking about change but comes from an

Brad Loosley would like to work with the Ministry of the Environment to see if the Petrolia compost site could be reopened. It’s just one of the items the 69 year-old former clerk has on his list of things to do should he be elected mayor of Petrolia Oct. 22. Loosley is one of three running for the position. He

Long before Warwick Mayor Todd Case stepped down, Jackie Rombouts threw her hat into the ring for his job. “I wanted to give people a choice for mayor. It’s been 20 years since we had an election for mayor, so that was really important for me.” Rombouts has served on council for one term and is stepping up to the

John Cowenberg thinks being mayor of Warwick is the next logical step in his political service. The 50 year-old area manager for Agris grew up in Warwick Township and has served on council for the last 12 years. When current Mayor Todd Case decided to step down, Cowenberg felt he had something to offer voters. “I have good solid business

Like his campaign slogan ‘Ed for Mayor’, St. Clair Township candidate Ed Linton likes taking a direct approach. “I have knowledge and experience,” the Courtright resident says. “I meet problems head on and in person. I am a leader.” A boilermaker by trade, currently working at Imperial Oil, Linton’s work includes serving on various health and safety committees. Linton, a

Michelle Kelly-Maitland believes in proactive — not reactive — government. The political newcomer is hoping to bring that quality to the role of Ward 1 St. Clair Township councillor if she’s elected Oct. 22. “I think we need to be proactive and see what we might be overlooking,” she says, adding “our biggest problems are what we haven’t planned for.

Tracy Kingston is well aware of the importance of bringing high-speed Internet to St. Clair Township. “My 22-year-old daughter tells me we absolutely need it,” the Ward 1 councillor says, adding it will be her top priority if she’s elected Oct. 22. Kingston, an incumbent, is just finishing up her first term, says she views the experience as a “learning

Kenneth Dew wants to attract new agriculture related businesses to Brooke-Alvinston. The 67 year-old retired landscaper and bookkeeper is running for the third time for municipal office. Dew decided to run to represent a new generation. “Sooner or later young people needed a break. What it is now is the older generation is in there now, and it seems to

Mayoral candidate Brian Everaert thinks fresh blood is badly needed in St. Clair Township. “Council is sometimes referred to as an old boy’s club,” Everaert says. “It’s time for some new faces with fresh ideas and strategies,” Everaert says, adding a new mayor with a “passion for politics” can be the “driver of political change.” The Wilkesport-area resident, a 20-year

Patricia Pook wants Catholic schools to maintain their identity. The retired high school teacher from Ridgetown has been active in her community and her church and says she understands the issues facing the system. The Issues: My platform has focused on retaining our Catholic schools and identity, maintaining our local schools, and continuing to teach our students 21 Century skills