Ward Four Candidates

Two councillors to be elected

Rhonda Jubenville

1. Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in rural Chatham (Dover Township), and raised my 2 adult children there as well.  This  has provided me with an awareness of the unique attributes of rural Ward 4.  Working and volunteering in (the city of) Chatham has shown me the contrast and diversity of the two.  While campaigning in the recent Provincial election this past June, I gained an understanding about the constituents, their issues, needs and concerns.  I learned the fundamentals of operating a successful, grassroots business from the ground up at a young age, by being a part of my family’s building supply/lumber yard business for the past 43 years.  I later discovered the realities of agriculture in my mid 20s and I continue with knowledge and support, through my son’s involvement in farming.  I have continued to sit on the Board of Directors for The Chatham Skating Club for 14 years and served as President for 3.5 of those years.   For the past 22 years I have served in multiple lay ministries in the church while also serving as President of the CWL for 2 of those years.

2. Why are you running in the municipal election?

I feel accountability and transparency to the constituents has been waning.   I also believe the role of the Councillor has been lost along the way, where Councillors serve their constituents.   I believe Council has taken a back seat to Administration and I will strive to reinstate Council back to its mandated position of running the Municipality.  I would like to help bridge the great divide between the Wards, prioritizing the needs of farmers, rural areas, small towns and small businesses.  I am an approachable person, always ready to listen and serve.   I will be there to defend and stand up for the constituents and the taxpayers.  They will be “my boss”.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

Many employees have not returned to in-person work, while many small businesses and corporations struggle to find employees to carry out normal day-to-day operations, thus affecting our local economy.  Demographically, we are dealing with housing shortages, including subsidized housing.  This issue affects the homeless, including those living with addictions and mental health issues.   Being underfunded by the province for infrastructure leads to misallocation of funds, while responsible investment in infrastructure needs to be addressed to further promote relocation of industry and economic development in CK.   Developing a Municipality in which our young adults who leave CK, will return to bring their resources back, and raise their families here is a priority. CK has a high tax burden on taxpayers that is not reflective of the new growth.  CK can not continue to raise taxes. Responsible taxation is a must!  We are also faced with a potential revitalization of the Chatham downtown core, Imagine CK, which will come with high costs and stakes.  Discernment and/or planning must proceed responsibly, transparently and include public consultation.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

There are definitely too many assets in Chatham-Kent to mention only one.  Being located on/between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, provides residents and travellers with an abundance of freshwater based lifestyle and activities like fishing, boating, beach going, cottaging etc. We are home to 2 Provincial Parks, Rondeau and Wheatley, that offer all of the amenities of camping, water sports, trails and cottages.   We are known as the Classic Car Capital of Canada and celebrate with festivals and shows while we pay homage to the classic car manufacturing powerhouse and its history in CK.  Chatham Kent comprises diverse, rural and urban communities that offer a plethora of options for newcomers, residents and travellers who live or come through our urban centre, quaint small towns and waterfront communities. For leisure, we offer festivals, theatres, museums, wineries and micro-breweries.   We lie along the 401 corridor between two larger cities, London and Windsor and we are only 3 hours from our provincial capital, Toronto.  We can also boast that we are within 1 hour’s drive to 3 U.S. border crossings.  Our rich history involving Battles along the Thames River and the Underground Railroad place CK on the historical “map”.  Our Municipality is growing with new residential construction because of all that we have to offer.  Chatham-Kent is a great place to live, raise a family and retire.

(182) YourVote CK: Rhonda Jubenville, Ward 4 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube

Scott Kilbride

1. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Scott Kilbride, and I am 62 years old and a lifelong resident of Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent.  I am a 4^th generation farmer and have dedicated my life to my family and the farm.  My wife Sylke and I have been married for 39 years now, we have two adult children, a son and a daughter, both actively involved on the farm.  My off-farm work experience includes working with my father in construction, building custom homes and farm buildings in the area, and I have been on the Board of Directors of five different organizations.

2. Why are you running in the municipal election?

Running for council will allow me to hopefully have an effective role in the community and to provide a voice for agriculture at the C-K Council table.  I feel that there is a serious under representation of the agricultural community on council.  Ag and Ag related business are a huge part of this area and its interests are as important as that of any other part of our municipality.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

Like the majority of CK residents, I have an interest in, and questions about, what is ahead for our municipality and council.  Issues like roads and bridges, the new municipal offices and the woodlot bylaw are but three of the many issues to be addressed.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

The diversity that CK offers is something to be channeled.  Whether it be agricultural, tourism, manufacturing, or service industries, all combine to make CK what it is and what it has the potential to be.  If we can find a way to have each of these components perform at maximum potential, there is no limit to what we can do in Chatham-Kent.
No formal platform, no formal agenda just a promise to use common sense in spending your tax dollars the same way I spend my own money – wisely and economically.

Jim Konecny

1. Tel us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Dresden. My wife Maryellen (34 years) and I have raised our daughter and son here. I have been actively involved in many charities and community groups in the area.

2. Why are you running in this election?

I am running for council in Ward 4 as I want to be able to help develop and support our community with a vision to its future and the values we share. I want to be the voice of our smaller community and the agricultural sector that is a big part of our area.

I believe a councillor will listen to their constituents and help to find resolutions to their issues.

I will conduct myself with integrity, accountability, and commitment and intend to be true to these values.

I have seen many changes within the community over the years. I want to be able to bring your voice to council, to represent your views, and bring answers back that will help our area to continue to grow. We have an exceptional group of volunteers, and I would like to support and expand current initiatives to bring new opportunities to showcase our communities.

I would like to encourage growth of small businesses, provide a stronger police presence, and help develop new and appropriate opportunities for our youth.

(182) YourVote CK: Jim Konecny, Ward 4 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube

Jamie McGrail

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am a long time resident of Chatham-Kent with roots beginning in Chatham Township and now reside in Mitchell’s Bay. Educated with a diploma in Information Systems and a graduate of class 12 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership program.  Had the privilege for 21 years of working in the family John Deere business; McGrail Farm Equipment L.P.  I am an active participant within the agriculture and Chatham-Kent communities sitting on past boards such as:  John Deere Users Group of North America –President, United way Board of Directors, Community Strategic Planning Committee –chair, Chatham- Kent Soil and Crop Improvement Association – Director, Kent Ag Development Committee – Vice-Chair and The Ridgetown Agri-Food Foundation board.

I strongly believe that movements start at home.  Everyone within Chatham-Kent should take some kind of action in making Chatham-Kent a prosperous and vibrant community.

2. Why are you running in the municipal election?

The reasoning behind my running for a second election term is that after an eventful first term and learning the ins and outs of being an elected official, I am more than prepared to handle the realities of municipal politics on any given day.  I believe North Kent needs experienced representation while a new elected counterpart is welcomed into our ward as we navigate forward in the next four years.

I would like to continue the work I started and be there for the upcoming North Kent projects.  North Kent needs strong representation in all corners and I believe that I have a firm understand in regards to the unique and diverse communities that call North Kent their home.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

Municipal infrastructure and how to maintain the many building, roads and bridges is a constant topic and struggle.  Chatham-Kent needs to be recognized in way of funding for what we really are.  A vast Municipality with its own set of unique challenges.  We need to continue to lobby the different levels of government for much needed funding.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

It’s the people from the 110 different towns, inlets, villages, city and everything in between.  Where else in Southwestern Ontario can you live, work and play and be within a short drive of a lake, a bay, a market that lights up the night, a festival that celebrates, the new, existing and not yet realized businesses that cater to us all, friends and neighbors taking the initiative to bettering their own communities and enjoying the southern climate.  Diversity and inclusion are a way of life.

(182) YourVote CK: Jamie McGrail, Ward 4 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube

Jason Sayer

1. Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in a small community in Kawartha Lakes area. My wife is from Chatham-Kent and we moved here with our young son in 2018 because I believe Dresden is the kind of community that’s perfect to raise a family in.
Volunteering is important to me and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with several projects.
I’m a member of the Dresden Kinsmen Club and I help coach minor baseball. I’m a former member of the Sydenham Curling Club board of directors. I am also been involved with Lions International since 2012.
I began my professional career in construction and I’ve managed projects across Canada. I currently work for Aecon Utilities as a Superintendent for Gas distribution south western Ontario.
I’ve owned my own business and I know what it takes for business to succeed.
I’m running for council because I want to give back to the community that has done so much for my family. I’ve been welcomed from the first day I moved here and I want help keep up that kind of community spirit and small-town feel.
My priorities include helping Dresden grow by helping businesses grow. Jobs keep small towns alive and a strong economic base is vital.
We need to make sure we’re looking after our infrastructure.  We need to maintain our roads, make sure we have utilities to support that growth and an attitude that each of us has ideas to bring to the table.
I want people in Dresden to feel safe and I plan to work with groups to help with things like community policing. It is vital that we provide our farming community the support they need to maintain and also improve their contributions to Ward 04.
Dresden and area has a very rich history and I believe with the contributions of elected officials who represent what residents want, we can have a bright future.

2. Why are you running in this election?

I’m running for council to give back what this community has already given to me in such a short time.  A voice and figure to listen and respond appropriately to the communities concerns.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

Chatham Kent needs to come together.  Working together and balancing the needs of the rural residents with those of the urban residents.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

We don’t have 1 specific asset that makes us strong it is a combined number of things that allow us to stand out from other areas of the province and the country. If I had to narrow it down, people are our biggest asset. It’s why my family and I have decided to make CK our forever home.

Steven Scott

(No response)

Dennis Fox

1. Tell us about yourself.

I have a young family, two sons and a daughter. I run a small medical supplies business, www.stayactiveck.com. I’m happy to be living, working and raising a family in CK.

2. Why are you running in this election?

I chose to run for Council in North Kent to represent good ideas for our region and to ensure the constituents get what they ask for.  I’m interested in shutting down the bad ideas and frivolous spending. I want to work for and help the farmers, small businesses, and families that make up Ward 4.

3. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

One of the biggest challenges for CK, specifically Ward 4, is the attack on Farmers by the Federal Government.  New policies are being introduced, and will be continually introduced that will put a strain on our local farmers, and deter young generations of farmers from entering the agricultural industry.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

At the risk of sounding redundant, CK’s biggest asset is Farming its nutrient-rich soil that’s ideal for growing various crops that our province, our country and the globe utilize and depend on for food and revenue. We need to lay out plans and policies to harbor and inspire a new generation of farmers, because we seem to be losing farmland and farmers that we desperately need.

 

Aaron Neaves

1. Tell us about yourself.

I feel that several key “motions ” have been brought forward that will have a detrimental effect on the residents of Ward 4. The 1st one is the Service Centre review. I am a hard no to any closure or review of services for these centres. The residents of Dresden and surrounding areas have relied on this facility for generations. It provides a much needed service for businesses (small and large) for young and for the seniors and all in between. For the people who have no access to a vehicle to go to Chatham, for people with mobility issues, to the agriculture community. It is a community hub. It needs to stay put.

2. Why are you running in this election?

The clear cut bylaw, I have been in a farming family for 30 years, I see every day the restrictions and hardships that this policy will have on the rural/ agricultural groups. I believe that it is an over reach, it basically tells the stewards of the land what they can or cannot do to their business. I believe it is a draconian policy.

I have over 26 years of representing people with a track record to prove it. I have balanced a multi-million budget for 4 consecutive years, I understand budgets and balance sheets. If elected, I will work to mandate a forensic audit of the people’s money, how it is spent etc. I will help to restore the lost rural identity. I will be a voice for change, will work alongside the other elected Ward 4 councillor. I will work to build bridges with people of like minds, and use my experience to bring people together, even those with opposite ideas.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?

The biggest challenge that I see and hear is that everything seems to be “Chatham centric”. The rural areas feel that they have lost their voice, whether it is a lack of investment for key infrastructure, or an attack on key infrastructure such as the service centre issue. Administration in Chatham seems to be pushing rural areas around   and I feel that it is time to stand up and have our voices heard.

4. What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?

Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset by and large is its people. The residents of Chatham Kent are the heartbeat of this municipality. I don’t think that they have had their best interests served, I believe in a true forensic audit, I come from the private sector, I understand budgets, I have represented people for 26 years in the private sector. I have lived in high stress, fast pace environments. I respect the people of CK and Ward 4, I believe that they deserve better.

(182) YourVote CK: Aaron Neeves, Ward 4 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube