Terry Tinkess/Krystine Soule
Record Staff/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

SOUTH STORMONT – Municipal elections are more important than many people think. Of all the level of government we deal with, the municipal level is the one in which we can have the most direct impact and interaction.

With that in mind, The Record, to introduce the certified candidates to their constituents as clearly and as equitably as possible chose to send each candidate, regardless of whether they were running for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, or Councillor a list of three questions. Each candidate was allowed a total of 200 words to answer each question, and their answers would be published as received, with the only editing being for spelling and grammar, and length, should they exceed 200 words (word 201onward would not be published.)

Candidates were advised that they were under no obligation to respond and that we would make no comment if they did, or they did not do so. A strong belief in Journalism is that it is not a journalist’s job to tell the public what to think, but what to think about. We each make our own, hopefully informed, decisions.

Here are the three questions, followed by the responses we received from each candidate. In weeks past we have looked at North Dundas, South Dundas and Russell This week, we will feature South Stormont.

Candidate Questions:

  1. What do you believe should be the top priorities for the municipality over the next four years, and what would you like to see council accomplish during your term in office?
  2. Municipalities face increasing pressure to provide services and maintain infrastructure while keeping taxes and other costs affordable for residents. How would you approach balancing these competing demands, and what factors would guide your decisions?
  3. What do you believe are the two most important issues or opportunities facing our community that deserve greater attention from municipal council, and what would you propose doing about them?

Susan Clarke, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: Over the next four years, South Stormont must manage tax dollars carefully, maintain our roads and essential infrastructure, plan responsibly for growth and protect the parks, services and rural character residents value.

South Stormont is growing, and that brings opportunities, but also added pressure on infrastructure and municipal services. We need to plan ahead so services keep pace without losing the rural character and strong sense of community that make people want to live here.

Council should establish and communicate clear infrastructure priorities, make decisions based on long-term costs rather than short-term fixes and ensure new development contributes fairly toward the services it requires. Existing taxpayers should not be expected to carry an unfair share of the cost of growth.

Clear communication from council is also essential. Residents should understand what is being considered, how decisions are made and how those decisions affect their taxes and communities.

Question 2: Balancing services and affordability starts with setting clear priorities and making decisions based on evidence. Council must distinguish between essential work, worthwhile improvements and projects that can reasonably wait.

For any major expenditure, I would want to know the total cost over its lifetime, not just the initial price. We should consider future maintenance, available grants, financing costs and whether a more affordable option could deliver the same result. I would also ask who benefits, how urgently the work is needed and what effect it will have on residents’ tax bills.

Preventive maintenance is particularly important. Putting off necessary repairs may save money today, but it can become the most expensive decision tomorrow.

I would support careful budgeting, competitive purchasing and regular reviews of municipal programs and expenses. I would also advocate for strong reserve planning so the township is better prepared for major repairs and unexpected costs.

Residents expect dependable services and careful stewardship of public money. Every dollar council spends should have a clear purpose and deliver measurable value to the community.

Question 3: The first is preparing South Stormont for responsible growth. New residents and businesses bring opportunities, but growth also places pressure on infrastructure and municipal finances. Council needs a clear understanding of the township’s capacity before major decisions are made. I would support regular reviews of infrastructure needs, development policies and long-term financial plans so we can anticipate pressures rather than react after problems arise.

Good government is not about saying yes to everything. It is about asking the right questions before you say yes.

The second is protecting the quality of life that residents value as our community grows. Parks, recreation facilities, green spaces, natural areas and access to the waterfront all contribute to the character of South Stormont. Our planning must also reflect the needs of a changing population, including seniors who want to remain active, connected and independent in their communities.

I would support a long-term plan identifying which community facilities and natural assets need protection or improvement, what residents value most and what the township can responsibly afford. Growth should make South Stormont stronger without sacrificing the qualities that make people proud to call it home.

Reid McIntyre, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: I believe the top priorities for to municipality over the next four years would include some of the following.

The waterfront project will be one of the top projects to get started by applying for more government funding through grants that are available.

Secondly, continuing to use a thin lift hot mix asphalt pavement instead of the surface treatment that we used in past years. This is a great way to stretch our roads dollars!

Thirdly, this is the time that we need to keep working on the provincial and federal funding to complete  phase 2 and 3 of the wastewater treatment plant in Ingleside. It is also imperative that after the environmental studies are done for the Long Sault wastewater treatment plan that we get the engineering for the updated plant done so that when funding becomes available, we will be able to jump on it.

Finally, I would like to see Council fulfill as much of the Strategic Plan as possible and to renew it in 2027. This could include initializing a plan to get started on the development of Plan 279 in Ingleside. It is imperative that we keep up on housing development in the Township.

Question 2: It is very difficult to maintain infrastructure and to keep costs affordable for all residents of South Stormont. It is inevitable that taxes and costs rise due to the increased costs of materials, wages, studies, etc.

It stands to reason that elected officials keep a tight rein on all spending, while seeing that needs of the community are met. This is best done by understanding the ramifications of councils decisions. Utilizing the various experience of all council members and understanding the numerous reports submitted by our department managers. Council members need to come up with decisions that might not be likeable to everyone but are best for the community as a whole. Making smart, logical decisions are imperative to running a township in a fiscally responsible manner. I sincerely believe that, through my experience working in the private sector, that I can make decisions that are the absolute best for everyone in South Stormont. If reelected I will do my best to keep costs affordable for everyone in this great community!

Question 3: It is very difficult to narrow this down to two issues or opportunities. There are many ofthese  facing our community. One of the major opportunities is the Avenue 31 Inland Port planned for our township. We, as a council, need to continue to work with the partners in this venture to realize what is best for the Township as a whole. This could be an excellent economic boost for our entire region if developed properly.

An issue that also needs to be addressed is the development of a garbage and recycle depot and the closure of the Trillium Landfill site. The Trillium site has reached its capacity and the ECA for a new depot is being acquired. This could turn into a costly project and council needs to keep abreast of the costs associated with the closure of the existing site and the construction of the new depot. These two items plus the waterfront development plan, Plan 279 in Ingleside, and the skyrocketing costs for infrastructure are of concern to me. As a member of the next council I will do my best to make decisions that will make our township an affordable, safe and welcoming place to live.

Matthew Tinker, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: I believe that some of the top priorities for council should be:

  1. Ensure any increase in homebuilding and development is met with a corresponding increase in parks, services, and support for every community involved. This includes making sure that existing infrastructure does not fall by the wayside, with an emphasis on sidewalks and paths in areas that have lacked them for a long period of time. Our seniors will also require more services and support over the next few terms and we should plan accordingly.
  2. Continue to move forward with the most popular projects for our constituents that we have received provincial funding for and many people have worked so hard on, such as the community park upgrades, waterfront projects, and partnerships with the Ontario government to bring expanded primary health care to South Stormont.
  3. Increasing our tax base at only what is a manageable pace so that we can ensure everyone maintains the services we have while opening up new opportunities for supporting our community members.

Question 2: The most important point I would like to state is that a reduction in services and support is not an option I would entertain, so my focus would be on ensuring the CAO and managers have the proper tools they need in order to run as efficiently as possible. This allows our tax dollars to be spent wisely without cutting services in a climate where increases in costs are well above inflation. As an engineer, I am hoping to provide a fresh perspective and some additional technical expertise to council to accomplish this. With some of the required larger infrastructure projects moving forward, long term planning will be exceptionally important in balancing the costs without eliminating the township’s ability to provide the same (or better) benefits and services to everyone. In terms of infrastructure focus, I think we should prioritize safety and security first, such as the sidewalks, pathways, and proper signage.

Question 3: An important consideration within a community growing as fast as ours is finding a balance that ensures that any increase in jobs/industry is met with an increase in proper accommodations and services so that current members of our community see a net benefit alongside any growth rather than an erosion of services. As our senior population increases, we need to ensure that we also increase access to senior support services and fitness programs. This can all be done both financially and practically by allocating taxes from new industries and population increases.

Another major focus for council should be continuing to lobby the provincial government to provide access to funding that is available and would otherwise be spent elsewhere. Previous councils have been diligent in obtaining funding for parks, primary health care, and for the water and wastewater treatment system improvements. The importance of receiving partial funding not coming directly from the local property tax base cannot be overstated. We can provide a huge benefit to our community if we receive funding from other levels of government from a tax pool that will still be spent elsewhere if we do not campaign for it.

Jaxon Chapman-Scott, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: South Stormont’s top priority must be affordability. Right now, we are all feeling the impact of Trump’s tariffs, high energy prices, and overall inflation that has our wallets stretched thin. Our municipality has the responsibility to recognize the reality of the situation and understand that now is the time to prioritize fiscal responsibility and provide our residents with stability.

That’s why council needs to focus this upcoming term on maximizing efficiency. Residents are rightfully worried about higher taxes and their ability to keep up with unexpected increases to their cost of living. They deserve a diligent council committed to keeping tax rates as stable as possible and making sure every dollar spent is defensible. This also means there must be a heavy emphasis on transparency and community involvement in spending proposals. Residents must be allowed involved in where their money goes and shouldn’t feel blindsided by unpopular or unasked for township expenses that leave them on the hook financially.

Question 2: Municipalities face increasing pressure to provide services and maintain infrastructure while keeping taxes and other costs affordable for residents. How would you approach balancing these competing demands, and what factors would guide your decisions?

I’m grateful to have a unique advantage in solving this dilemma. With my experience working both federally for our MP, and now provincially for our MPP, I am knowledgeable of the programs and grants available to municipalities like ours. If elected, I will guide our township’s use of these federal and provincial funding opportunities to help pay for our services and infrastructure in a way which minimizes the direct burden on our municipal coffers.

Right now, affordability matters most and we are all feeling stress from the skyrocketing price of gas, groceries, and everyday items. The people I’m speaking with at the door are rightfully concerned about tax increases and to answer this I will be straight with you. I can’t guarantee that our taxes won’t increase because inflation has hit us hard and there are non-negotiables that must be funded. However, I can guarantee that if elected, I will use my experience and knowledge of federal and provincial funding streams to keep any tax increase as small as possible, while still maintaining and improving the services and infrastructure we rely on everyday.

Question 3: We are extremely lucky to live in South Stormont, and the greatest opportunity we have is our potential for growth. However, our growth needs to be managed in a way that respects those living here, their property rights, as well as our strong agricultural heritage and small-town environment.

Geographically, we have strong advantages for commerce and residential growth due primarily to the St. Lawrence River and the 401 corridor. These opportunities need to be explored because increasing our tax base through growth to keep pace with inflation is far better than increasing it through major tax hikes on the existing residents. However, all development must be guided by the interests of the community and take into consideration the things that already make our township the perfect place to live and raise a family.

Therefore, while there is no doubt that South Stormont must adapt and grow if we are to thrive and respond to the realities of the world, we still have the power, and the responsibility to manage that growth in a prudent way which leaves no one behind and maintains the quality of life we love.

Martin Lefebvre, Candidate for Councillor

Question 1: I believe the municipality should have a focus on developing before the tourism and economic sectors. While still protecting the rural leaving we all enjoy.

Question 2: My plan would be to have a bigger base in which the municipality receives it’s revenue.  I would help achieve that with growing tourism,  creates the perfect environment for small local businesses to open and flurish.

Question 3: Two great opportunities South Stormont has is investing in our tourism and local businesses and producers. That will allow us to grow prosperity for the future.