Ward 8 (South Chatham) – 2 councillor position
Sandra Dorner
With a strong commitment to listening to the community and putting taxpayers first, Dorner says she is running to ensure municipal government is open, responsible, and focused on the issues that matter most to families, seniors, and local businesses.
“I’m running because our community deserves leadership that is honest, transparent, and accountable,” said Sandra Dorner. “Before major financial decisions are made, residents deserve to know the facts, understand the impact, and have their voices heard.”
Dorner’s campaign slogan — “Built to Lead. Trusted to Deliver.” — reflects her commitment to opening doors to better communication, stronger community involvement, and practical solutions for Chatham-Kent.
Her campaign priorities include:
– Transparency and Public Awareness – Residents deserve more information and greater public input before significant financial commitments are approved.
– Accountability and Administrative Reviews – Regular reviews of municipal operations to ensure efficiency, performance, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
– Affordable Housing and Homelessness Solutions – Practical, compassionate strategies to increase affordable housing and address homelessness effectively.
– Tax Stability – Responsible budgeting with a focus on keeping taxes predictable and affordable for residents.
– Economic Development and Job Creation – Retaining businesses, attracting investment, and creating better employment opportunities across Chatham-Kent.
– Healthcare Recruitment – Supporting efforts to recruit and retain doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals.
Dorner believes Chatham-Kent has enormous potential and that effective leadership can strengthen public trust while creating a more prosperous future.
“Our community is full of hardworking people who want to see Chatham-Kent thrive,” Dorner said. “I’m ready to work collaboratively, listen carefully, and deliver practical solutions that make a real difference.”
Ryan Drouillard
(No biography submitted)
John Duquette
I’m John Duquette, and I’m running for Ward 8 because I want to see more transparency at council, fairer taxes, and more focus on the needs of residents instead of wasteful spending.
I also want to help create more opportunities for young people in Chatham-Kent, because if we want the community to grow, we need to give younger residents a real reason to stay involved and get engaged.
I believe Ward 8 needs a councillor who will listen, stand up for residents, and put the community first.
Andy Fisher
(No biography submitted)
Rick Nicholls
(No biography submitted)
Stephani Shill
My name is Stephani Shill, I am a mother, licensed paralegal, small business owner, and lifelong advocate for people who feel unheard.
Originally from small-town Ontario, I was raised with strong family values, hard work, and the belief that people should look out for one another. After moving to Chatham-Kent at 18 years of age, life took many unexpected turns. Like many families in this community, I have experienced both success and hardship firsthand, including financial struggles, chronic pain, homelessness, family addiction, mental health challenges, and the heartbreak of watching loved ones battle through difficult times.
Those experiences didn’t break me. They shaped me.
After becoming a young mother, I worked hard to rebuild my life and create stability for my family. I returned to school, built a 20-year career as a hairstylist, and later pursued a legal education to become a licensed paralegal and open my own practice, Access Paralegal Services.
Today, my work puts me face-to-face with people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Whether it’s housing issues, financial stress, family conflict, or legal problems, the most important thing I have learned is that people need someone willing to truly listen and someone who will be their voice.
I know what it feels like to struggle. I know what it feels like to feel dismissed. And I know how important it is to have someone actually fight for you.
I believe many residents in Chatham-Kent have lost faith in being heard by local government. Too many people feel disconnected from decisions that directly affect their daily lives.
That’s why I decided to run for Ward 8 Council.
I describe myself as outspoken, determined, compassionate, and deeply invested in the future of our community. I believe council needs more transparency, accountability, and common sense, but also more compassion and real-world understanding.
As both a mother and advocate, I am especially passionate about youth support, addiction recovery, mental health resources, community safety, and rebuilding a stronger sense of connection between residents and local government.
Outside of work, I’m a proud sports mom who spends much of my free time supporting my children at hockey rinks, soccer fields, and community events across Chatham-Kent.
My campaign is not about politics — it’s about people.
I’m not perfect, and I’ll never pretend to be. But I am real. I care deeply about this community, and I’m not afraid to ask difficult questions, challenge the status quo, or stand up for people when something doesn’t feel right.
I believe Chatham-Kent can be stronger, safer, healthier, and more connected, but that only happens when people feel heard, respected, and represented again.
More than anything, I want to be the kind of woman young girls can look up to — especially my own daughters. Someone who leads with strength, compassion, honesty, and courage, even when it’s not easy.
Scott Thompson
Candidate Scott Thompson was born and raised in the heart the newly formed Ward 8. Hard work and old school values were instilled on him by his self-sacrificing single mother. Married to his high school sweetheart, and his rock Tiffany in 2001, he is the proud father of 3 outstanding young adults who were also born and raised in Ward 8.
In his early life he attended and graduated from Victor Lauriston, John McGregor and later St. Clair College. His extensive and exhausting work experience provides an unmatched wealth of skills, abilities, contacts and knowledge. Regularly involved in youth sports he served as trainer, coach, board member and president on local hockey and swim organizations. A competitor to the soul he was regularly a part of fundraising and running in multiple United Way Amazing Races capping it all off with back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015. His personal life is just as busy as a foster parent for 17 years, always being involved in his church, playing in golf leagues, hockey teams and volleyball teams not to mention regularly serving as taxi driver for his kids.
An eager follower and supporter of local politics, the recent developments have left him disappointed in candidates he once believed in. A runaway budget, secret meetings, the terrifying state of our water infrastructure and the latest round of bullying by some of the people he once supported has made the solution clear. With many of his former commitments now firmly in the rearview mirror, Scott has officially decided to announce his candidacy for Chatham-Kent council in the Ward he has called home his entire life, the GREAT 8!
Thompson’s platform centers on three core commitments:
- Fiscal Responsibility & Reduced Spending: Prioritizing value-for-money reviews of municipal operations, eliminating wasteful expenditures, and ensuring transparent budgeting that puts a halt on property tax increases that much of the current council just shrugs off.
• Infrastructure Repair: Making the repair and maintenance of roads, water systems, and community facilities a top priority to protect public safety and support economic growth.
• Accountable Local Leadership: Advocating for practical, common-sense solutions that put residents first and restore trust in a municipal government that has been abusing power, holding secret meetings regarding tens of millions of tax-payer dollars and punishing those who don’t fall in line or dare to question the status quo.
Supporters are encouraged to follow him on Facebook at Scott Thompson Ward 8. He also welcomes questions via email at scottthompsonward8@gmail.com
Luke Van Der Vliet
(No biography submitted)