The Municipality of West Grey has three candidates running for mayor for the upcoming 2022-26 council term.
Incumbent Christine Robinson faces challengers Stephen Townsend and Kevin Eccles.
Taking a look back at the previous council term, Robinson says she’s proud of what she and West Grey Council were able to accomplish.
“The redevelopment of Rockwood Terrace with 40 units of assisted living spaces, the implementation of a Grey County transit route on Grey Road 4, natural gas expansion in Neustadt, and I will continue to advocate for natural gas expansion in Ayton and Elmwood,” said Robinson.
If re-elected, Robinson says there are three things she will prioritize.
“Number one, I wholeheartedly support our West Grey Police Service and the construction of the new police service building. Number two, maintain taxes through a four year budget, which will assist in keeping taxes at a reasonable rate. And number three, provide an economic plan for West Grey that shows we continue to be open for business,” said Robinson.
Stephen Townsend says after being on council for the past four years, and by associating with council for about 10 years prior to that, he believes there are a lot of opportunities to improve the municipality. He adds his experience in business and municipal affairs have given him the skills to do that, and notes his priorities for the next council term.
“The police services. We need to get those costs under control. [The next priority is] the completion of the Strategic Plan, because West Grey does not have one. If you don’t have that, then you really don’t have a direction to move in or framework for future growth. The third [priority] is to look for process improvements, and one of the ways we can do that is through the Official Plan, zoning by-laws, and asset management,” said Townsend.
Townsend says he knows West Grey is ready for a change. “When you have someone who’s really willing to put everything on the line for West Grey, and you can see the skill set and the proven track record and you know that every commitment made in the past has been met, I don’t know why you wouldn’t take it,” he added.
Townsend says some examples of work he’s done for the municipality include managing the expansion of the Durham Medical Clinic, getting the submerged car out of the river in Ayton in 2018, and finding grants for the legion, among other things.
Kevin Eccles previously served three terms as mayor of West Grey from 2006-2018. He says he’s running again because his experience can help West Grey. “A lot of [the decision] had to do with the public coming forward, giving me their support again, and wanting me to run. And, also, I was very disappointed in the way that council had been performing. I thought that I offer some skill sets that could get us back going in a better direction,” Eccles said.
If elected, Eccles says he will also shift his focus on police services. “A priority certainly would be maintaining and putting faith back into our West Grey Police Service,” he said. “Accomplishing more in our infrastructure, and getting back to doing what property tax dollars are meant to do. By having infrastructure in place it will certainly keep our municipality economically viable.”
All three candidates encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote. The 2022 Municipal Elections are slated to be held on Monday, October 24. The Municipality of West Grey will use Internet and Telephone Voting for the 2022 Municipal Election.
If residents have any questions about voting in this month’s election, you can contact the West Grey Municipal Office at 519-369-2200, or visit their website.
