Election Day in Chatham-Kent is Monday, Oct. 26, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More information is available at ckelection.ca.
The Sydenham Current has sent a series of questions to all mayoral, Ward 4 and Ward 5 candidates who have made their contact information publicly available. The responses from candidates who chose to participate are listed below.
The final question posed to candidates was focused on their ‘elevator pitch’ to residents:
It’s election day, and you’re standing beside a voter who asks, “You’re running for council. Why should I vote for you?” What’s your elevator pitch?
MAYOR
Darrin Canniff
“Negativity and stagnation is not a welcome option for our community. We need to focus on growth, positivity and strategic investment if we want Chatham-Kent to continue to be a vibrant, dynamic and welcoming community that is attractive to both businesses and families. I believe that Chatham-Kent has a bright and promising future. A vote for me is a vote to continue to move our community forward.”
Michael Bondy
“Why vote for Michael Bondy? I am experienced, trusted and tell the truth. I do not have wealthy friends and am beholden to no one. I have common sense and have always looked out for the taxpayer. My record speaks for itself.”
Lauren Anderson
“Because I’m not running for Mayor to hold a title. I’m running because I believe in what Chatham-Kent can become, and I’m prepared to do the work to get us there.
“I’m a mother raising two daughters, a nurse of 16 years, and a municipal councillor who has spent the last four years advocating for our communities and delivering results.”
“I understand the pressures families face because I live them too.”
“I want safe streets, good jobs, responsible taxes, reliable infrastructure, and opportunities that give our children a reason to stay and raise their own families here.”
“I bring established relationships with provincial leaders, experience making difficult decisions, and the energy and commitment to see a long-term vision through.”
“I’m not asking for your vote because of what I promise. I’m asking you to look at what I’ve already done, what I’m prepared to do, and the kind of leadership Chatham-Kent deserves.”
“I’m not running to manage our challenges for another four years. I’m asking our people to elect a mayor that has the time to see long term goals through. A leader that can bring the entire community together.”
“I’m running to change our direction, build our future, and lead Chatham-Kent forward. Together.”
Randy Hope
“I’m Randy Hope, and I’m running for Mayor because I believe Chatham-Kent has tremendous potential, but we need to be more focused on turning that potential into results.”
“I served 12 years as Mayor, and I’ve spent the past eight years outside municipal government watching, listening and thinking about what needs to change. I’m not running to return Chatham-Kent to 2018. I’m running because that experience taught me how government works, and the years away have given me a fresh perspective on the challenges we face today.”
“My priorities are straightforward: build the next economy, make housing happen and make every community visible. That means good jobs, more attainable housing, responsible infrastructure investment and greater accountability for how public money is spent.”
“I want residents to be able to see the plan, follow the progress and judge the results for themselves.”
“I’m asking for your vote because Chatham-Kent deserves experienced leadership with a clear plan for what comes next.”
WARD 5 – WALLACEBURG
Bill Wolsing
“Wallaceburg is home to me for over 40 years, serving Chatham Kent as a career Firefighter, many countless hours of volunteering my time beside other great community minded people, experiences dealing with the Municipality Departments through our WAMBO team and other events, it’s time to put my best forward, represent you, the tax payer, with my continued dedication. I’d like to thank all the Candidates for stepping up and representing Ward 5, so great to see the interest and energy toward this campaign.”
Jim Blake
“For every idea put forth, you can easily find ten people who will tell you why something can’t or shouldn’t be done. Let’s find the one or two who will respond with “why can’t we” instead of “we’ve never done that before.” Those are the kinds of people who built our community, and those are the people we need now to move it forward. I believe we have those people in our community, and we should be encouraging them wherever possible. I want to be part of that effort.”
Zac Nicholson
“Ward 5 is at a critical turning point. For too long, our hardworking residents, farmers, and young families have watched their hard-earned tax dollars leave our pockets while infrastructure investments, housing developments, and economic opportunities continuously bypass our community.”
“I am running for Municipal Council to give Ward 5 the strong, energetic representation it deserves and to fight for our fair share of municipal investment. As a local paralegal running my own practice for seven years, an infantry veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, and a volunteer firefighter, I bring boardroom rigor, courtroom advocacy, and frontline discipline to the council table. I know what it means to put service before self, and I am ready to ask the tough questions at budget time to deliver true fiscal responsibility and results for our community.”
Victoria Stewart
“I’m running because Wallaceburg and the surrounding communities matter to me, and I believe I have something worthwhile to contribute.”
“I’ve spent years working with people, listening to their concerns, solving problems, managing budgets, finding funding, and trying to make community organizations stronger. I’ve also seen how decisions made around a boardroom or Council table affect real people in their everyday lives.”
“I’m not someone who enjoys making promises I can’t guarantee I’ll keep. I’d rather tell you what I know, what I still need to find out, and what I’m prepared to do about it.”
“If you bring me a concern, I’ll listen. I’ll ask questions, look into the facts, and be honest with you about what can be done. I won’t always agree with everyone, and I won’t pretend that every decision will be easy. But I’ll explain my reasoning, stand behind my decisions, and be willing to reconsider when new information shows there’s a better way.”
“I care about this community, I know how to do the work, and I’m prepared to put that experience to use.”
“That’s what I mean by Thoughtful decisions. Meaningful Action.”
Steven Burritt
“This will be my full-time job you will get my full-time effort and full-time energy no excuses! I will go to every meeting and be on committees and do my best to represent Wallaceburg. I will fight to keep the services in Wallaceburg because the default position cannot be just go to Chatham.”
Chris Young
“I will represent the needs of my constituents, I will champion the priorities of the community, I will stand up for what is correct. I want fair, equitable and transparent decision making and I want progress and development. I am a lifelong committed community member, I have seen the area in good times, bad times, and its struggle to find an identity. I am dedicated to to progress and you should want me a the table when the discussions are taking place.”
Loree Bailey
“I’m running because I love Wallaceburg, and I believe our community deserves a strong voice at the council table.”
“Since moving here in 2013, I’ve worked to make a difference in our community. I started Wallaceburg’s first community meal program in 2014, helped establish a free food pantry, and my husband and I were honoured to be nominated for a Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021.”
“My experience in nursing, community services and organizational management has taught me how to work with people, manage limited resources and make difficult decisions.”
“I’m not a career politician, and I won’t pretend to have all the answers.”
“What I will do is listen, ask questions, do my homework and stand up for Wallaceburg.”
“I’ve spent years working to make our community a better place. Serving on council would be another opportunity to continue that work.”
NOTE: Mayoral candidates April Colby and Ryan Gow did not send answers to our questions. Contact information was not available for Nelson Burm.
Ward 5 – Wallaceburg candidates Brendan Authier, Dave Brunditt, Jason Debuck, Brent DeNure and David Hyatt did not send answers to our questions. Contact information was not available for William Arends. Mark Childs responded by reiterating he is “no longer running” (more details, here.)
Ward 4 – North West Kent candidates John Cummings, Kirk Hooker and Rhonda Jubenville did not send answers to our questions.
