Written By Olena Riznyk
North Middlesex voters will see contested races for deputy mayor and council seats in Wards 2, 3 and 4, while the mayor and two councillors have been acclaimed.
Brian Ropp has been acclaimed as mayor, Sara Nirta in Ward 1, Parkhill, and Kathy Willemse in Ward 5, West Williams.
John Keogh and John Mombourquette are running for deputy mayor. Mombourquette pointed to his experience in the Canadian Forces, as a community volunteer and in education. His priorities include small businesses, bylaw enforcement and responsible, sustainable growth.
In Ward 2, Ailsa Craig, Bill Irwin and Tony Michielsen are running. Irwin, seeking a second term, said the next four years will require “striking a balance between the realities of growth and new development while attempting to maintain the quality of life that a rural community offers.” His focus, he said, “has been on, and will remain on, quality infrastructure, appropriate zoning, planning, recruiting, securing new business and creating a climate that keeps existing business in our community and helps them to grow.”
Michielsen, a resident for more than 60 years, said he would “listen to our neighbours” and bring practical common sense to council. His priorities include infrastructure, roads and local small businesses and services.
Ward 3, McGillivray, has three candidates: Chuck Daigle, Thomas Sgouromitis and Pat Rees. Sgouromitis pointed to his business experience. He said he wants to work on affordable rental housing, the commercial tax base and pedestrian infrastructure.
Rees said higher taxes and what she sees as fewer services led her to run. She wants better value for tax dollars, sustainable growth and to “give a voice to those who don’t feel they have one.”
In Ward 4, East Williams, Mark Diggins and Jerome Macko are running. Diggins said he wants to represent the community in an “open and transparent manner,” keeping constituents’ needs as his top priority. He also identified roads, culverts and water systems, facilities, schools and local businesses as priorities.
Macko said East Williams deserves “a strong, hardworking and accessible voice” on council. His priorities include roads and infrastructure, responsible spending, agriculture, economic growth and better communication with residents.
