St. Thomas residents had an opportunity to meet candidates hoping to lead the city and serve on council ahead of this fall’s municipal election.

The St. Thomas Kinsmen teamed up with the Columbus Club to host an All Candidates Night on Wednesday (Sept. 16).

Each of the candidates seeking one of eight spots on council was given two minutes to make their pitch to the overflow crowd at the Columbus Club.

Gibbs Alobwedge Diobe, Sandra Hamill and Malachi Male did not participate.

Each of the three mayoral candidates then had five minutes for their presentation.

The evening then moved into a meet-and-greet until 9 p.m.

St. Thomas Kinsmen member and Kin Canada District 1 Governor, Matt Sharpe, served as moderator.

Here is a summary of each presentation, in order.

“St. Thomas is growing in population, and this future growth will be a challenge to balance the additional service needs with a reasonable tax rate.

“Yarmouth Yards is a 1,500-acre development, and the last three years have involved getting the infrastructure in place: the sewers, the water, the roads, etc. New industries can come to St. Thomas, build their facilities, provide jobs and add additional tax dollars to our budget. But it will take time for industries to develop and for the city to see those added tax benefits.

“Additional long-term care beds are needed, as Valleyview Home is 136 beds, but the waiting list is 450. The second adult day program is also needed, and we have an ideal space at Memorial Arena. And the day-to-day staffing costs for this program, the adult day program, are completely funded by the city.

“Transit needs to be expanded. We are underfunded when compared to other like-sized communities such as Woodstock. The new evening on-demand service is very popular, but there’s only one bus providing this service, so we need additional buses.

“When I started on council in 2014, the condition of the animal shelter on Burwell Road was appalling. Today we have a beautiful and more functional animal shelter on Southdale Line. It took 12 years to see that happen. So changes can happen, and they may take time to see results, but we are progressing in the right direction. At the recent AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference in Ottawa, we had seven meetings with various provincial ministers. During those conversations, St. Thomas received many compliments and the city is seen as a good place for funding investments.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to be of service on council. I respond to issues and am prepared for council meetings, and I’d appreciate your vote.”

“I was born and raised here in St. Thomas. I’m running to be on your city council here in St. Thomas. I’ve lived here all my life, and I do not plan on leaving.

“My father, Russ, was a Staff Sergeant with the St. Thomas Police Service, and my mother, Mary, has been working in healthcare ever since I was born.

“My manufacturing background taught me hard work and accountability, and those are two traits that I believe that I can bring to you guys as a city councillor. I’m running because I care both about the history and about the future of St. Thomas very deeply.

“I believe that the growth that we’re about to see in the coming years and decades should improve the quality of life for the people that live here, for the residents, for us. I believe that we can make housing more attainable by incentivizing more affordable-sized housing in our new developments, by expanding parks and green space, including a brand new Central Heritage Park here in the Railway District.

“I believe that we can improve and expand our transit service to make it more affordable and easier to access for everybody in town. I believe that we can protect and repurpose our heritage sites and our heritage buildings to keep the spirit of St. Thomas alive as we build into the future.

“And I believe that we can build more complete neighbourhoods.

“Throughout my entire campaign, I’ve met with residents all across St. Thomas, and it’s genuinely been the highlight of my year shaking hands with all of you and getting to know you. I believe good leadership is exactly that. It’s about listening to the public and working with others to make those changes happen. I believe that a good council is a diverse one with a lot of different life experiences. And I believe that that’s exactly what I represent. I’m a younger voice and a forward thinker. And I think that a vote for Yates is a vote for the future.”

“Community involvement has always been important to me. I’ve dedicated many years of service to the people of St. Thomas. Every resident deserves value for our tax dollars. We need to be smart and responsible with our spending while keeping the tax rate as low as possible.

“At the same time, we must remain committed to maintaining and strengthening the essential services that all of our residents rely on in their daily life. I want our city to be secure and safe and a great place for people to live, work and raise a family and grow older together.

“With a lifetime of experience and a strong commitment to our community, I am proud to put my name forward as a candidate for city council. I have a strong desire to listen, and I want to hear from the people of St. Thomas, our youth, our adults, our seniors, and the people who are experiencing homelessness right now in their lives.

“I want to hear your wants and needs, your hopes and wishes, and your dreams for the future of St. Thomas. When elected, I will work very hard to represent everyone in our community and to help make St. Thomas an even better place for all of us to live. The city of St. Thomas is our home, our community, and our future.”

“I put my name forward because the group of friends that I have, the family, they don’t seem to be reflected on council. That’s not to say that it’s the council’s fault. It’s just a younger voice, a younger experience. I do have experience on the board of the St. Thomas Optimist League. We’ve dealt with rainouts, we’ve dealt with smog, we’ve dealt with heat. In order to bring and utilize the fields -both soccer and baseball – and I think we need to take a fresh look at what we’re using to maximize and get more people in and out of the community.

“As far as housing, I would like to see the high-rises that are planned to go in along Talbot Street so that they can help the restaurants, the bars, grocery stores. Anybody who has had young children trying to get everybody into a car seat just to go get a couple of groceries. That’s a little bit of a pain. If it’s within walking distance, it adds to the enjoyment of the city. So that’s what I hope to bring. And again, if it’s not for me, I hope you do get out and vote October 13 to the 26.”

“One of the reasons I’m running is because our growth is going to be exponential in the next few years. Upwards of 60,000, and that is a lot of people, and it doesn’t matter how well we plan for those kinds of things, there will be omissions, there will be things that aren’t working in quite the way we hoped.

“The bottom line for me is that people will get what they need. There is no question that when big businesses come in, and there is lots and lots of money involved, the city will flourish in many, many ways.

“I want to make sure that people are being looked after. For example, there is a lot of talk these days, and it’s not just in St. Thomas, of the homeless. And I want to help.

“We’ve got all kinds of land and St. Thomas, actually, is in the forefront of planning, and I think we’re doing a really good job at all of the things we want to put in place.

“I want to see companies, I want to see businesses who are making a profit, I want to see them become good corporate citizens. By that, I mean I want them to be actively involved in creating opportunities for people to feel better about themselves. To be entertained, to take walks in the park, whatever, instead of lying around in the streets and hoping they can get the next fix.

“I also think it is very important that we look at the root of what causes these kinds of things. And, it’s very easy to keep adding things to the services.

“I want to know that everybody who is involved in this city at any level will be helping the people first.”

“I was born here in St. Thomas a bit over 20 years ago. I’ve lived here the vast majority of my life since then, with a brief exception with a stint in London for my mother’s college education.

“And let’s just say, I’ve never missed my hometown more than in that moment. Lately, I, and I’m sure many of you have noticed, there have been so many new people and so much new growth coming to St. Thomas.

“What I worry about is whether our current administration can actually take this amazing opportunity and use it to turn it into a higher quality of life for everyone living in St. Thomas.

“Getting to my actual policies and what I believe will lead to a better future, not just for us, but for our children and our children’s children.

“I support putting sidewalks on every road in St. Thomas. I support government-owned and subsidized housing. I support replacing our call-in-advance bus system with regular buses every fifteen minutes.

“I support adding more public amenities all around St. Thomas, such as benches, water fountains, public washrooms, and trash cans so that you can finally throw out that coffee cup you’ve been holding onto for way too long now.

“I think it’s crazy how many hundreds of homes and hundreds of people live in homes that have no direct access to a sidewalk, let alone one that actually connects to a wider network. I worry about people with mobility issues and those with young children in strollers who can’t even reliably visit their neighbours without having to push themselves, depending on the season, through mud, snow, and ice. That is despicable. Or simply pray that a car doesn’t hit them while they walk on the road.

“Next, for housing, I believe that a large supply of government-owned and subsidized housing is one of the biggest steps we need to take if we’re going to actually address the issue of the upsettingly large number of people in St. Thomas who don’t have a place to call home.

“With rent set at no more than the cost of utilities and maintenance, only to be charged once the resident receives a stable income, this would drive down rents all across the city by adding low-cost competition to the market.

“And with certain mixed-use development, it would add dozens of storefronts that themselves would generate hundreds of jobs.

“I’ll be happy to specify more during the meet and greet, but I believe this is about all the time I have. Remember to vote for Christopher on October 26th.”

“I am here tonight to respectfully ask for your support to remain as your voice on St. Thomas city council. And yes, I do get involved in my community. For example, four years ago, Mayor Preston asked me, ‘Now that the downtown Talbot Street construction is finished, let’s have a party and do a ribbon cutting.’

“And our DDB said, ‘Yes,’ and events like the Downtown Oktoberfest were born. Check us out this weekend. I’m gonna be at the Optimist booth serving schnitzel and anything else that goes along with that.

“As a city councillor, my goal is to represent the citizens of St. Thomas, listen to their suggestions and concerns, develop positive strategies, and work to the best of my ability as a member of city council to move our city forward.

“St. Thomas has entered a new era of growth which will provide jobs and an improved quality of life for everyone. As a city councillor, I have seen firsthand how quickly this growth is happening, and I promise to continue working as your voice on St. Thomas city council to bring these projects to life.

“I have the experience, resources and connections to bring people together and get things moving. I encourage you to review my pamphlet that I’ve handed out to some of you folks; there’s lots at the back door as you leave, or visit my website voteearltaylor.ca for complete details on what I’m talking about.

“You’ll see that I’m passionate about creating safe and happy communities, preserving our railway heritage, finding housing for everyone, improving our transit, managing our hard-earned dollars, helping seniors, and working to bring people back to the heart of our city, our downtown St. Thomas.

“Online voting begins on October 13th, and I respectfully ask for your vote to remain as your voice on St. Thomas city council.”

“First I want to acknowledge the accomplishments and partnerships with other elected officials, city administrators, outside agencies and the multitude of volunteers who are the driving force of this community.

“During my time on council, I have been honoured as chair of the joint St. Thomas-Elgin health recruitment partnership. Our mandate is to recruit and retain family doctors and primary caregivers to our city and to our county.

“I currently serve on the board of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority and have also served on Catfish Creek. Both agencies work to protect our natural environment throughout the Kettle and Catfish Creek watersheds.

“As of February 1st, 2027, both will be merged into a new, larger authority called the Eastern Lake Erie Conservation Authority.

“My future goal is to ensure a new community aquatic center is built. As someone who has taught all aspects of aquatics for years, I am passionate, and I believe it is imperative that we all have access to learning and practicing safety around water and utilize all aspects of aquatics as a lifelong activity.

“I will also continue with the doctor recruitment program and will expand into doctor retention and assist in any way in the recruitment of specialists as determined by our local hospital.

“I believe in responsible industrial development. I will support a moratorium on data center development that has the potential to raid all of our resources.

“As always, I believe in taking care of our environment and strongly believe in supporting the arts, our culture, our library, and supporting our seniors from programming to housing.

“I invite you to visit my Facebook page to see more. Vote Lori Baldwin-Sands for St. Thomas city council.”

“Twelve years ago I was a rookie here and nervous, and 12 years later I’m a veteran and still nervous. I think we have to thank everyone who’s put their name forward because it’s a big step to put yourself out there and to want to serve your city. So, good luck.

“I think for me right now, the continued growth in the city is demanding a large portion of our budget. We need to have that industrial tax base to make sure that the city can have the amenities, and we can’t rely on residential taxes to pay for everything.

“So the good jobs are coming, but it’s going to be three or four years before we see those tax dollars flow. And so that’s where it’s going to take a little bit of patience. We’ve been doing some great work with supportive housing; I think we need to pivot a little bit of our resources away from that and do some more work with affordable housing. “Affordable housing not just for young families but seniors as well. Accessible housing, diverse housing, all types of units so that more people can get into their own homes.

“The other area that we really need to work on, I think, was mentioned already, is Valleyview. In the short term, we need an addition at Valleyview, and in the long term, we need to plan for another home. We also need to increase the day program for people because of the number of people that are aging at home, and so that’s another priority.

“And then lastly, taxes at the rate of inflation, where we know there’s going to be a lot of problems with our friends in the south.

“And so, over the next couple of years, until the industrial tax money comes in, I think we really need to take a hard look at our budgets, and deliver budgets that are at or near the rate of inflation.”

“My vision for St. Thomas is simple. A city that grows boldly but never loses its heart. A city where opportunity is real. Downtown is alive, and families feel proud to put down roots. And people still know what it means to look out for one another. That is the St. Thomas I believe in.

“When I picture our future, I picture people walking downtown, seeing familiar faces. I picture our local shops, our parks, trails, neighborhoods, and the feeling that it is not just where we live. This is a home. My vision is not to turn St. Thomas into something it isn’t. My vision is to make it even stronger.

“As we grow, we have to protect what makes us special. That small-town feel and that connection to each other. But protecting who we are does not mean holding ourselves back. We need to focus on the positives, like what we could become.

“I’m old school, so what I see are the traditional events that used to define this city and make it a destination for residents and non-residents alike. I want a downtown that feels alive. I want businesses to look at St. Thomas and see opportunity. I want young people to see a future here.

“I want to utilize our beautiful parks and more family events and festivals. I really want to see the fantasy of lights come back to Panafore Park. I want to see the return of Iron Horse Festival. Here at home want to see the successes of businesses. I want to see local talent stay here.

“We shouldn’t have to choose between growth and a small-town feel. We can have both. We can grow and stay true to who we are. St. Thomas can be bigger and can still have a big heart.”

“A lot of the candidates have mentioned that there are so many people that care about the City of St. Thomas. There are 19 people running for eight positions on council. That’s a lot. That’s a lot of people. Seven of which are considered incumbents.

“The likelihood of an incumbent being voted out of office is minimal at best. So basically that leaves 12 people running for one spot. What makes me qualified for that spot? Well, for the last year and a half, I’ve been the only or one of the only, people attending practically every council meeting, whether it’s virtually or in the gallery. It’s kind of lonely up there sometimes.

“But I’ve been paying attention to what the council’s been doing. And they’ve been doing a great job getting the city ready for the increase in population and the increase in business. It’s really good.

“And I think I’m the person who has the ability to hit the ground running if I get elected. I’m also the type of person that if you have any questions about anything, come and talk to me; ask me the questions. I’ll try to find the answer for you if I don’t have it. You may not like the answer, but at least you’ll have an answer.

“You know what decisions you need to make. I’m a member of the Accessibility Committee for the city. I’m the vice president of the Railway City Music Arts Festival, which is also the former Iron Horse Festival. I’m a member of the board of Crimestoppers.

“I think the arts are being overlooked a little bit, and I believe it’s time to add some focus on the arts as well. So please, October 26th, vote for me, Joe Docherty.”

“For those who don’t know, I ran 24 years to get on this first term of council. So I ran five times. Finally got in on the sixth. I’m so proud of myself for doing that. It’s determination, right? And that’s what makes this community work, determination.

“We look at everything that we want or need, and we do a determination working together as a community, and we put ourselves front and first so that we get what we want. We want a safe community, and we want a place where we can live, where we can say and be proud, that this is our home.

“So, being elected in 2022 and serving my first term on council, I’m on the following boards: the St. Thomas Municipal Accessibility Board, the St. Thomas Public Library Board, the Police Services Board, which I took over 18 months ago, I’m on the board management of Valleyview Home, and a board manager for the St. Thomas Area Secondary Water Supply System as an alternate. I was put on the board for the seniors centre. We dissolved that, but I stayed on, paid my membership, and I am now a board member. I’m also 17, sorry. If I’m not mistaken, I’m 16 years as a member for the St. Thomas Royal Canadian Legion, and I’ve been 12 years on the executive.

“So it’s been a great pleasure serving you in my first term, and I really enjoyed the council. I find it very exciting. I go in every night for council, I’ve got my book out, and I’m writing everything out, and some of the councillors look at me like, what are you doing? The work is there, but sometimes you have to write it out to remember some things that are very important, and sometimes you have to follow up on those items.

“And it has worked really well for me to talk to city staff. It works well, and I call it my homework Wednesday evening. I call it my work, my homework. Because if you don’t call it that, you don’t do it right.

“So I’m so proud to say we have really moved mountains compared to other communities of the same size or a bit larger with our homelessness and our housing initiatives. We are starting to look at diversity in our housing for those who are more than under low income.

“It’s pretty sad when you get a $2,000 check and $1,800 is out the door to a landlord, right? And don’t forget, when you pay that rent, that you are a renter, you can still, that you still have the right to vote. You still have a say because part of your rent is paying the property taxes in the building you’re living in.

“The development of our trails and our parks and the upgrading of our facilities are going well, and I really look forward to pushing to keep going. I look forward to continue working alongside the staff during the next term of council if elected and to continue the work already done.

“I know the staff and new council can continue the work. The city has much to be proud of from an economic standpoint, meeting the needs of our residents, positioning our city as a leader in regional growth. As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring our economic success goes hand in hand with compassionate community support.

“I was a single mom for six and a half years, so I do know what it’s like to live on Ontario Works. At the time, they called it that, and have to pay rent and raise two little boys. So I, I do understand your suffering, and I’m really looking at making sure that we have a geared-to-income housing program being endorsed.

“Again, thank you for coming out to hear each of the candidates running for public office. It takes courage and commitment. Community forums like this provide a vital space for voters to hear. And from those stepping stones, stepping up. I wish all the best to each of the candidates standing up here today, and good luck.”

“This will be in no particular order. I believe we need to create a task force to help manage the economic growth in our city. We need an in-depth review of our city website. We need to continue our critical infrastructures and improvements.

“Transportation, it’s always a big concern. We had a consultant review with many good suggestions, but I’m suggesting there’s a transit app. Put it on your phone; it tells you when the bus is coming. It’s not coming, where it’s going – perfect thing to have.

“For six years, we were around three per cent increases for taxes. We got hit last year with the Police Services Board and ended up at 6.2 per cent. But I will work hard with the rest of council to return our tax base to a reasonable rate.

“Let’s return the satellite library to the mall. I think that was well attended. There is an interest in a dome at 1Password Park. Not buying it, leasing it.

“For seniors, I propose two town hall meetings, one in the spring, one in the fall. We make a lot of decisions at city council, maybe not in the seniors’ best interest, but I think we should talk to them at least twice a year.

“And you’ll note that the Christmas tree show that they put up is now in Aylmer this year. We’re losing all that revenue. It’s a shame that we have to lose it. And I want to make sure we save that little miniature railway that we have in the building.

“We need to continue building our relationship with our partners. Malahide, Aylmer, Central Elgin and Southwold. It’s important to be involved with them.

“We do a lot for affordable housing. We partner with Indwell, we partner with the YWCA, but I think we need to take a step back and see what we can do for the mental health people and those on drugs.

“And Arthur Voaden’s been mentioned; we don’t own it, but I suggested at the last meeting we speak to see if we can rent it because there are 500 Shot Basketball kids who play there, and where are they going now? So it’s unfortunate we’re losing all that revenue.

“So those are some of my thoughts, and I think that’d be great. Thanks very much for listening.”

“It’s really important to have events like this, so thank you for participating. As Matt said, I am running for city council because I believe in St. Thomas. This is my home and I’ve lived here my whole life. I just celebrated my 50th birthday, so I’ve been here a while. I care very deeply about our community and where we are headed. I’ve had the privilege of serving St. Thomas before, first on council from 2003 to 2010, and then as mayor for two terms. Those 15 years taught me a lot about municipal government, about decisions that must be made, the challenges that come with growth, and the importance of planning for the future.

“The challenges facing St. Thomas don’t stop at our city boundaries. We need to work closely with Elgin County, our neighbouring municipalities, the province, and our community partners. Whether we are talking about growth, transportation, housing, waste, or economic development, we are all connected.

“As St. Thomas grows, I believe we need to focus on a few key areas. First, infrastructure. Our roads, water and sewer systems need sustained investment. We need to ensure we’re following our asset management plan, prioritizing based on condition and risk and make sure we are getting value for every tax dollar we spend. We need to fix roads properly using the right long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. I ask you, how many roads in this city do you refuse to drive down? Because I’ve lost count of how many I will not drive down because of the condition.

“Second, housing and growth. We need affordable housing for people at every stage of life, making sure that growth is supported by the infrastructure and services it requires. We also need appropriate density development that respects the neighbours and the neighbourhoods that we already have.

“And third, long-term planning, especially when it comes to waste management. There was a report put out in 2025 by Waste to Resource Ontario. I highly suggest reading this report and understanding that Ontario’s landfill capacity is projected to reach its limits in the mid-2030s, and that’s including Green Lane. It’s not that far away, and we need to be doing some planning. I can tell you the City of Toronto is looking at all of their options for what they’re going to do. They own our landfill, and we need to be planning now for what we are going to do and what options we have as a municipality because that landfill will also reach capacity in 2035 and possibly even sooner, as there have been changes made by the province to business recycling pickup.

“People work hard for the money that they earn, and we must be responsible with that taxpayer money.”

“As a longtime resident of St. Thomas, I am a mother, I am a business owner, I am a community advocate, I’m a frontline worker. I understand the challenges facing local families because I have lived them myself. I am running for city council to bring a practical, community-focused perspective that puts residents first.

“My vision is a St. Thomas where families can thrive, businesses can succeed, and residents feel informed, heard and connected to their local government. Residents deserve to know what is happening in their city. I want to improve communication between city hall and the community so people are aware of upcoming projects, new businesses, local events, and decisions that affect their daily lives. A connected community is a stronger community.

“Families are the foundation of our city. I will advocate for programs and initiatives that help families become more self-sustainable, such as chickens in their backyard, while ensuring they still have access to the resources and the opportunities they need to succeed. As St. Thomas continues to grow, we must ensure our neighbourhoods have places where people can gather, connect and enjoy the outdoors. I support connecting and expanding green spaces, parks and community gardens as part of our responsible development.

“I believe our city should continue to invest in activities, recreation and entertainment opportunities for residents of all ages. Families should not have to leave our city to find affordable, enjoyable activities and employment.

“I am seeking the opportunity to learn from the experienced members of council while bringing a fresh perspective to the table. I believe progress happens when we work together, respect different viewpoints, and focus on solutions that benefit the entire community.

“For over 20 years, St. Thomas has been my home. My commitment is simple. Listen to the residents, work collaboratively, and advocate for the city that is welcoming, connected, and prepared for the future. Stronger families, stronger community, stronger St. Thomas. Thank you, everybody.”

“What I want to talk about tonight are some core beliefs because the beliefs drive the decisions that you make for the city so I want to share some of those things with you. First of all, I’m running for a fourth term on city council. I’m still passionate about the city I love. Politics like quilt making: you put things together to make something and you’re preparing for the future, right? And you’re using what’s in the past to prepare for the future. So that’s why I’m doing it. I just, I love it. Much like my wife loves quilting.

“Secondly, every human being has the capacity for growth and change. For some, you know, it’s about childcare, having childcare so you can do other things. One project we’ve done in the last four years is the hospice that we’ve been involved with. And care on that end is growth and change in many different ways.

“I was at Highview Hideaway today. They’ve just opened an affordable housing situation there that we’re very proud to be part of as a city. A second one for me is that we want to meet people where they’re at, not where you want them to be. I was a teacher for 30 years; you’ll learn this pretty quickly, right? And for me, what that means is literally I’ll go to your house, I’ll go to your backyard, we’ll talk, invite the neighbours over, we’ll talk. But figuratively, what it means is to accept people for who they are when they’re standing in front of you. To each others to do that.

“So the why is, I still love it. The what is that everybody has a capacity for growth and change and how we do that. Vote for me. I hope you can find me in the top eight. But if not, the group that’s running will provide you with an outstanding city council for the next four years. You have no need to worry. In saying that, I humbly ask you for your vote in this election. Thanks very much.”

“We are at a pivotal moment right now in the history of our city. St. Thomas is growing, and I’m sure you can feel it around you like I do. Our roads are busier, and new developments are going up every day. You can feel that things are changing. I’m running for mayor because I see an opportunity for our city.

“The question we’re faced with is this: will we let growth shape us or will we shape the growth? We can make intentional decisions about where we’re going and ask: what are we trying to accomplish, what will it take to get there, and what is the best way to do it?

“Take, for example, the railway. St. Thomas was built around the railway. We call ourselves The Railway City, and yet there’s a surprising lack of passenger rail traffic. What I’m proposing is that, rather than looking at the railways as only a part of our history, we should be asking what they could mean for our future. To do this, we need to ask the right questions. What would it take? What would it cost to the taxpayer? And what new opportunities could it bring to the city?

“With any big change, there are a lot of unknowns. But as your mayor, these are questions I’m prepared to ask and ready to put in the work to get them answered. I want us to be ambitious when considering what’s possible and remind people that we’re not simply limited by what’s been done before. We need to be willing to question our assumptions as the circumstances around us change and as new information becomes available.

“When new housing is built, are we just adding more houses for the sake of hitting our targets? Or are we creating neighbourhoods where people feel safe, where they can raise a family, and where they feel connected to the city?

“Where there’s a mix of housing types, accessible public spaces, and where people have access to the goods and services that they need. All growth comes with great responsibility. We need to make sure that public money is being spent when it’s being spent. There’s a clear reason why: we’re getting the most value for every dollar. These are not questions about whether the past choices were wrong.

“My career so far has been built around solving complex problems. I studied software engineering at Western University. I worked for a company that built and maintained software for large government agencies. And today I work in accounting with extensive experience in municipal audits and an understanding of complex financial systems.

“I’ll be the one here to say the obvious. I do not have 20 years of experience on city council. To that I ask, what is the job of the mayor? The job of the mayor is to understand where the city is going. The job of the mayor is to ask the right questions. The job of the mayor is to bring people together around a shared vision and to make sound decisions along the way.

“The next four years are about more than growth. They’re about deciding what that growth creates. The neighbourhoods and streets we build, businesses we attract and support, the opportunities that we create for people who already call St. Thomas home and the people who will call it home in the future. That is the difference between managing growth and shaping it.

“The railway is just one example. We can look at it as part of our past, or we can look at it and see something that’s part of our future. St. Thomas is changing. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility to meet this change head-on. The decisions we make today will shape St. Thomas for decades to come. The choice is yours for the St. Thomas ahead. Thank you very much.”

“Unfortunately, there’s a negative reason that I’m prompted to enter the race. I believe that we deserve a lot of respect as voters, and a lot of that comes down to the way that our funds are treated. Many people are new to the city. A lot of people were very young at the time. So I’m not going to go into the details tonight, but I will say I have posted all the articles on my website chronologically for you to look at of the scandal that happened when Jeff Kohler was the mayor of St. Thomas. I expect that I’ll be the bad guy tonight, but I think this is important.

“I think that trust is very important. It will play into every single concern you’ve heard tonight. Whether we’re talking about helping people get homes, stay in their homes. I don’t remember anyone from the government being with me when I was working for my money. Have you ever had that experience?

“Our money means a lot to us. It’s about our family. It’s about a very serious trust that when it’s taken in taxes, there are going to be accountability and consequences if it’s not used appropriately. And I could not stand by, even though I’m just a truck driver.

“Actually, I haven’t run since 1999. And I can tell you right now, it’s a lot harder to stand up at the back than when I was that age. I don’t know what else to tell you. I will fight for you. I will fight for you when you have to figure out who to talk to and fill out forms about stuff that comes from our taxpayer money.

“I think that this is going to be a process that means if you don’t trust that I’m going to be a good mayor, you don’t trust that I’ve been doing a good job, then you can look for yourself, and you can see. If you don’t want to go to the website, ask someone you know who likes going to websites. They’ll go, and you can talk to them.

“Anyways, I just want to make this clear. And why it’s important to me on a policy issue. I do not think city council should be voting on whether or not we get to find out the details of something that might be a legitimate scandal involving our tax money. I think that these policies clearly did not stand 20 years ago, like some people were hoping. And sadly, now I find myself having to come out and talk about this stuff. So if you are interested in knowing more, I put the record there. I have a few more articles left to put up. And I’ll say that I’m not doing it out of hate. I’m doing it out of concern. Thank you.”

“Friends, neighbours, and fellow residents of St. Thomas, thank you for being here today. Every conversation at the doorstep, every message, and every moment you’ve shared meant more than you know. It reminded me of the strength and the heart of this community.

“I’m running for mayor because I believe St. Thomas is entering the most important decade in its history. The conditions have been set, the momentum is real, and the future is bright, despite the national and provincial trends.

“For more than 22 years on council and during my previous term as mayor, I’ve had the privilege of serving this community. I’ve lived here my entire life. I’ve raised my family here. I’ve worked here in our local industries for nearly four decades. I know this city, its strengths, its challenges, its heritage, and its heart. I have skin in the game, and I care deeply about what happens next.

“Leadership matters, experience matters and residents are telling me that they want a mayor who understands the realities of growth, who knows what still needs to be done and who will stay practical and reasonable in every decision we make.

“Families are being squeezed by inflation and rising costs, seniors are feeling pressure on fixed incomes, and I know that the city cannot add to this stress. We are entering what may be the longest period of sustained growth St. Thomas has seen in 50 years. World-leading industry and commercial investments are coming to our doorstep. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. But growth alone is not success. Growth must be managed. Growth must be balanced. Growth must benefit everyone, young families, workers, newcomers, and especially our seniors who built the foundation that we stand on today.

“Before I go any further, I want to share something personal because people often ask me why I continue to serve. A few years ago, when my parents’ health began to decline, my wife and I spent a lot of time helping them navigate appointments, services, and everyday challenges that come with aging. I saw firsthand how important it was for seniors to feel supported, respected, and safe in their own community. I saw how much it matters to the city that it doesn’t forget the people who are in local organizations offering help without hesitation. It reminded me of the values that I was raised with: service, responsibility, and giving back. Those experiences strengthened my commitment to the city and deepened my understanding of what leadership really means. That is my why.

“My goal is simple: I want every resident, from young families to seniors, to feel the same sense of belonging, support, and pride. I want to honour the heritage of the people who came before us while building opportunities for generations that will come after. That’s why effective leadership and capacity matter. We need disciplined-growth budgets. We need to get smarter and better about how we deliver services. We cannot become one-dimensional. We have to multitask, build homes, support jobs, improve infrastructure and protect affordability all at the same time. And we must do it without racking up property taxes for things that aren’t in the city’s mandate.

“I’ve worked hard to build strong relationships with the province, and those relationships matter. They help us secure funding, support major projects and keep St. Thomas competitive. But at the end of the day, our success will come from the choices made right here at home.

My vision is clear: St. Thomas should be the best place in Ontario to live, work and raise a family. Not a bedroom community, not an afterthought, but a beacon. That means affordability, more diverse residential development so families and seniors can find homes to fit their needs and their budgets. It means accessibility, keeping our city safe and easy to move through. It means safety, ensuring our police continue to focus on property crime, senior safety, and protecting our vulnerable citizens. It means amenities, setting the conditions for larger retailers, recreation providers, entertainment venues, and art organizations to choose St. Thomas as a place to grow. And it means honouring our heritage, preserving the historical character of our neighbourhoods, protecting the landmarks that tell our story, and ensuring that as we grow, we never lose sight of where we came from.

“We deserve a city that reflects the pride we feel in living here, a city that respects the past while building the future.

“Today I’m asking for your support, not because of the past, but because of the future. Because I believe in St. Thomas, I believe in the people who live here, that we can elevate this city together.

On October 26th, I’m asking you to elect capable, proven leadership. Let’s continue building on the momentum. Let’s secure the future of our families and what seniors deserve. Let’s honour our heritage while shaping the next chapter of our story. And let’s show Ontario what St. Thomas can be. Thank you very much.”

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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.