Wilmot Township set to elect new mayor in Monday's municipal election
Mayor and three councillor seats up for grabs
Wilmot Township will see change in this municipal election.
Current Mayor Les Armstrong is not seeking re-election. Neither is Ward 3 Coun. Barry Fisher or Ward 4 Coun. Jeff Gerber.
The municipal election will be held on Monday, Oct. 24. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo asked all candidates to answer a survey that listed their top three reasons for running. The responses are in alphabetical order by last name.
Mayor
There are two people running for mayor of Wilmot Township:
- Jennifer Pfenning.
- Natasha Salonen.
Jennifer Pfenning says her top three reasons for running for mayor are:
- Service to community.
- Working to connect people to services, community events, and their neighbours.
- To ensure community, environment and infrastructure are always considered.
Pfenning is one of the current councillors in Ward 4 is also an organic farmer.
She says she wants to work with council, staff, local businesses, community groups and residents "to build on the best of what we have while we improving on things that need changing."
She said that includes planning appropriate growth strategies, holding the countryside line and ensure development "makes efficient use of the space we have already designated for growth."
"Healthy communities need effective infrastructure that is resilient to climate change impacts, and works to reduce the community's contribution to climate change," Pfenning said.
"As municipalities grapple with the impacts of a changing climate and more frequent and greater extremes of weather, our infrastructure must be prepared to handle it. We need to assess, plan, and implement changes and upgrades to improve our resiliency in the face of this challenge."
Natasha Salonen says her top three reasons for running for mayor are:
- To be a strong voice for township.
- Refocusing council's direction "on issues under the municipal mandate."
- To focus on fiscal responsibility and getting the best return on investment.
Salonen, who has worked as a federal and provincial staffer, says she has a clear understanding of how all levels of government work and how to represent the views of the community.
"I love my township and as we face unprecedented growth we need a strong voice as mayor and at the regional council to represent Wilmot," she said.
"Our community over the past four years has become divided, in large part due to decisions of the current council including lack of representation of our residents in decision making."
A full panel interview with both candidates can be seen here.
Ward 1
There are two candidates in Ward 1:
- Angie Hallman (incumbent).
- Stewart Cressman.
Angie Hallman says her top three reasons for seeking re-election are:
- To continue work as a councillor, including budget challenges in 2023.
- Advocating for action on speeding and safety concerns.
- Planning for growth and change.
Hallman says it's been an honour to serve the community for the last four years and she worked to make community safety, well-being and the environment part of every discussion.
"We need to approach the upcoming budget with innovation, deep reflection and precise consideration of funding allocations for our infrastructure and services offered," Hallman said.
She says road safety is top of mind for many in the township and will be a pressing issue as the communities in the municipality grow.
"Growth and real change for the betterment of a community never comes easy, whether it be personally or culturally. Progress comes from a difference of opinions, fresh perspectives, hard work, education, heeding the advice of those who've come before us and sometimes difficult conversations had in a dutiful manner," she said.
"I would like to see council work together via a revised strategic plan with clear goals and activities for the next four years."
Stewart Cressman did not respond to CBC K-W's survey.
Ward 2
There are three people seeking the seat in Ward 2:
- Cheryl Gordijk (incumbent).
- Reginald Simpson.
- Kris Wilkinson.
Cheryl Gordijk says the top three reasons she's seeking re-election are:
- To address current and expected growth with sustainable development.
- Continuing fiscally responsible investment in township infrastructure.
- To implement public safety improvements in township facilities.
Gordijk, who has volunteered with a number of groups in the township, says she's "inspired by long-term and lifetime residents who have contributed to the well-being of this township."
Farmland needs to be protected because "it's irreplaceable," she said.
The township's aging infrastructure has been neglected and that means repairs and replacements will be required in the coming years.
"We don't yet have enough in our reserves to fund that work — $20 million is needed for road maintenance alone," she said, adding an audit done by police shows the township needs to improve lighting in parking lots.
Reginald Simpson did not respond to CBC K-W's survey.
Kris Wilkinson says his top three reasons for running in this election are:
- Council needs change.
- Taxes and spending.
- Development and infrastructure.
Wilkinson says the current council "has been preoccupied by social issues outside of our control. Our township has been asking for us to refocus on local issues."
He says the council has a lack of respect for tax dollars and he wants to get the most value for "hard-earned money."
"I will continue to fight against aggregate extraction in Wilmot. At present, we have too many licenses and more than enough operating capacity. There are too many issues surrounding safety and an overwhelming desire to see this type of development stopped.," he said.
"Water delivery, roads, traffic planning, fire response, services, recreation areas all need to be addressed before we can commit to massive development. We need to slow down and control development so we can ensure we move forward at the best pace for Wilmot and maintain or small-town rural feel."
Wilkinson says the township is divided and he wants to find common ground to move forward.
Ward 3
There will be a new councillor in Ward 3 as current councillor, Barry Fisher, is not seeking re-election.
There are two people running in Ward 3:
- Gary Mosburger.
- Harvir Sidhu.
Gary Mosburger says his top three reasons for running in this election are:
- To improve community engagement.
- To advocate for community safety.
- Council needs proven leadership.
Mosburger says he's "not afraid to roll up my sleeves and work hard to meet the goals."
He said he will focus on efficiency and effectiveness through fiscal responsibility.
"I cultivate ongoing relationships so I can understand and deliver on your needs. I enjoy encouraging those around me to look towards the future and to meet their vision. I use evidence-based data to drive strategic decision making," he said.
Harvir Sidhu did not respond to CBC K-W's survey.
Ward 4
There will be two new councillors in Ward 4. Coun. Jennifer Pfenning is running for mayor, and Coun. Jeff Gerber is not seeking re-election.
There are six people running in Ward 4. The two receiving the most votes will be elected.
The candidates are:
- Terry Broda.
- Ron Downs.
- Lillianne Dunstall.
- Steph Goertz.
- John Jordan.
- Steven Martin.
Terry Broda did not respond to CBC K-W's survey.
Ron Downs says the top three reasons he's running in this election are:
- To make sure people feel heard.
- Spending tax dollars wisely.
- Planning for growth.
Downs says over the past few years, some in the township "have felt that their comments, questions and concerns have not been heard" and he wants to change that.
"I want to see diverse conversations while staying on topic at a municipal level and finishing in a timely manner," he said.
With rising costs, he said it's important councillors are respectful of taxpayer money.
He says growth needs to happen in the township, but that also requires working with local business owners, farmers, developers and individuals.
"Growth is essential with the priority to keep our small town charm," he said.
Lillianne Dunstall says her top three reasons for running in this election are:
- To concentrate on municipal governance.
- Supporting local business.
- Making people feel included and listened to by council.
Dunstall says council needs to "concentrate on municipal governance."
She said it's important for council to spend tax money "effectively and efficiently." It needs to support businesses and attract new ones because it helps with the tax base.
"You cannot have a vibrant community without vibrant business," she said.
She said there's a "surprisingly large number of residents that do not feel council represents them. They also feel if they questioned or disagreed with council they were reprimanded and chastised. Inclusivity includes everyone and excludes no one."
Steph Goertz says the top three reasons she's running in this election are:
- To protect/enhance the well-being of the community and the environment.
- To make a difference in the community and show her children the importance of civic engagement.
- Helping guide municipal direction and share ideas for forward thinking policies/bylaws.
Goertz says she has worked closely with local organization in the last few years and have seen areas where more could be done to improve the lives of people in Wilmot Township.
"I myself have spent months identifying a problem, researching solutions being implemented in other municipalities, rallying the community around these solution, then waiting hours at a council meeting to speak before council for five minutes and then get no questions from council and nothing changing," she said.
"There are so many amazing people in our community with so much information and dedication. We need to have councilors elected that already have connections or believe in the strength of our community/community organizations and who can appreciate their knowledge and understand their urgency."
John Jordan says his top three reasons for running in this election are:
- Staying on track with infrastructure and capital projects.
- Seeing the arts and culture master plan move forward.
- Focusing on economic development.
Jordan says he wants to be part of the discussion around "exciting capital projects" such as the conversion of the old arena in New Hamburg to the Trinity Theatre and considering a third ice pad at the Wilmot Recreational Complex.
The township passed an arts and culture master plan in 2018 and Jordan says, "we haven't seen much become of" it.
"Wilmot has a great opportunity to develop our arts, culture, and entertainment with the level of talent we have in this community," he said.
"We are a 'diamond in the rough' of where we are located and there is a huge opportunity to make our community a desired destination for business and in turn will attract the people to make it even more vibrant than it already is."
Steven Martin says his top three reasons for running in this election are:
- To contribute to the community.
- Promote a welcoming community for all people.
- "I believe in the democratic process and want to support healthy discussion, a respectful process and raise concerns that people have about our community."
Martin says he's "interested in people's opinions, am willing to listen, and am committed to having a meaningful process when making decisions."
How to vote in Wilmot
People can vote online, by phone and in-person in Wilmot Township on Monday.
Telephone and online voting will go until 8 p.m. on Monday.
In-person voting will take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on:
- Saturday, Oct. 22.
- Sunday, Oct. 23.
There is no in-person voting on Monday.
The township says it made the decision to run the election this way to "ensure accessibility for all voters." The township notes telephone voting is not compatible with rotary phones.
Read more of CBC K-W's election coverage:
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