Three councillors to be elected
Anthony Ceccacci
- Tell us about yourself.
I strive to be as personable and approachable as possible; I believe in common-sense approach and have a keen hunger for knowledge and self-growth. I aim to listen to the concerns of our Chatham-Kent community and produce actionable milestones to resolve issues both large and small. Currently sitting on my first term of council. During my term I sat on the Entegrus powerlines board, the Ridge Landfill liaison committee, the Blenheim BIA, and the innovation and infrastructure committee. My current full time role is in senior care.
- Why are you running in the municipal election?
I want to continue to bring a strong voice and advocation to the horseshoe. The last four years I have absorbed significant knowledge and feel my experience and collaboration efforts will be an asset to CK. It’s important to build off our momentum and continue to advance and progress Chatham Kent. My abilities to network and collaborate within the community allows me to have a finger on the pulse of the community, understanding the community needs and concerns.
- What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?
There are several large challenges we face. The size of our community and continuous downloads cause significant shortfalls of funding. Our large geographic footprint and rural density causes significant stress on our budget. We have more infrastructure to maintain and a low density rate to maintain it. Equally challenging we have a large portion of our community that borders water and the effects of shoreline erosion and the costs associated with mitigation efforts.
- What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?
The best asset of CK is we have established a solid foundation for growth and we have some of the most caring residents that always step up for the occasion. Our size allows for extensive future growth and location to the 400 series highways has real benefits. With proper continued planning policy and strategic growth we have countless opportunities ahead.
(182) YourVote CK: Anthony Ceccacci, Ward 2 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube
Ryan Doyle
- Tell us about yourself.
My name is Ryan Doyle. I am 38 years old, a Husband, Dad, Insurance Broker, and Volunteer Fire Fighter. I grew up on a cash crop farm in what was formally Raleigh Township, and that is where I learned much of my work ethic. I graduated from Niagara College with a diploma in Business Administration, Operations Management. I have a passion for our community, and love helping people. We currently live in what was formerly Harwich Township.
- Why are you running in the municipal election?
I was asked in 2016 to run for council by someone I truly respect. This was after I organized The Tragically Hip, a National Celebration concert showing in Tecumseh Park, which raised over $17,000 for multiple charities. I seriously considered it, but it was not the right time in my life to run. Now that I am married and have started a family, I feel like it is time to take that next step. I think we need more young people on council in order to get a better overall view of the community, as well as some new ideas.
- What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?
That is a tough question because depending on who you talk to, will depend on the answer you receive. I think one of the biggest challenges is that Chatham-Kent is so large in area, that depending on where you live and what you do, will depend on what you want from your community. Trying to please everyone on a limited budget must be difficult because I’m sure most of the time, someone isn’t happy, but our job is to try to find the middle ground so we can represent everyone as equally as possible.
- What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?
Hands down, it’s the people. We have such a diverse community and so many ideas within that community. Door knocking has been an amazing experience so far, and if we can just continue to reach out to our constituents and stay involved, we can make our community a better place to live and call home.
Mary Clare Latimer
- Tell us about yourself.
I am currently a South Kent Ward 2 Chatham-Kent municipal councillor. I sit on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) bi-national Board of Directors, holding the position of Canadian Vice-Chair of the GLSLCI Mayor’s Advisory Council on Shoreline Resilience. I serve on the Chatham-Kent Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Chatham-Kent Public Library board, the Blenheim Landfill Liaison Committee and the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame Committee. I co-chair the 2022 Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults and Senior Achievement Awards Committee. I am 62 years old, residing with my husband Paul in the former North Harwich Township, where we chose to raise our family down the road from where I grew up on our family farm. I am a seasoned self-employed community Occupational Therapist and I have always been active in the community supporting/participating in Girl Guides, Scouts Canada, the MS Society, the Alzheimer’s Society, the CK Learning Disabilities Association and the London Diocese and my local parish Catholic Women’s League program activities/initiatives. I am approachable, respectful and collaborative. I am open to new ideas with consideration for all opinions, consistently taking a common sense approach, when working together with other council members, to make hard decisions for the “better good of all” in our community.
- Why are you running in the municipal election?
I have acquired an extensive network of resources regarding sustainable nature based adaptive interventions that could assist with ongoing infrastructure challenges. I would like to see additional public private partnerships develop as we streamline services to limit costs while ensuring continued face to face equitable service access. I would encourage: continued sustainable economic growth balanced with environmental best-practices and protection of our valuable farmland, expanded on-demand transit, improved affordable and supportive housing availability; further organizational transparency; ongoing community engagement, particularly with our youth and continued relationship building with our Indigenous communities and other local marginal/minority populations.
- What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?
Addiction and substance mis-use often linked to homelessness and current lack of transitional and/or supportive housing in addition to overall lack of affordable housing
with limited tax base revenue/resources across a large geographical area creating a significant challenge to meet the ongoing required capital and maintenance costs of current older infrastructure in addition to new growth.
- What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?
The people who live here in Chatham-Kent and all of our surrounding natural amenities.
(182) YourVote CK: Mary Clare Latimer, Ward 2 (South-Kent- Candidate – YouTube
Trevor Thompson
- Tell us about yourself.
I’m a long time resident of Cedar Springs and have spent the last eight years on council. In that time I’ve chaired the LTVCA and the Ridge Landfill Liaison Committee. I’ve worked on the PUC, the Chatham-Kent Trails Committee and the Chatham-Kent Leadership Cabinet. My kids go to school in Blenheim at BDHS and HRPS.
- Why are you running in the municipal election?
Despite a difficult term with the pandemic and numerous local disasters, we’ve managed to do more in South Kent than I think we have at any time in the last 20 years. We secured funding for the Shrewsbury Drainage Plan. We’re bringing high-speed internet. We’ve installed crosswalks for people to get to parks and grocery stores, we’ve increased rural garbage pick-up. We’ve taken steps to address flooding, erosion in our planning and development. The LTVCA is getting a new million dollar building at the Longwoods site. All that and keep taxes lower than the pace of inflation. There is so much going on, and so much coming down the pipeline that I want to see through to some sort of completion.
- What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?
There isn’t a single biggest issue that faces our municipality. If the last four years have taught me anything, it’s the ones you don’t know about that cause the most trouble. There a number of large issues facing Chatham-Kent. A potential recession looming, a possible real estate investment asset crash, inflation and interest rate increases are all macro forces we cannot have an impact on but we have to prepare for. Locally, infrastructure is the #1 issue that impacts and informs everything we do. From huge issues like erosion on Talbot Trail to abandoned gas wells in Wheatley to protecting smaller municipal offices, arenas and libraries, all the way down to bridges and bumpy roads that impact quality of life.
- What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?
Like the challenge question, I don’t think there is one to choose. Our $3-billion agricultural community that truly grows for the world. Our fantastic waterfronts with their recreation opportunities. We have wonderful small communities that pull together and support each other. MacLeans said it best in 2021 when they named us the 27th best community in Canada to live. The top three factors rating were Internet access, weather and access to amenities.
(182) YourVote CK: Trevor Thompson, Ward 2 (South-Kent) Candidate – YouTube
Mike Walker
- Tell us about yourself?
My name is Mike Walker and I am running for ward 2 council. I am 45 years old and have lived in Chatham-Kent my entire life. Most of that spent right in South Kent. I grew up in Charing Cross and attended school in Blenheim. I lived in Ridgetown for many years and now reside in North Buxton in our forever home. I became very passionate about the municipal election in 2018 and followed all the debates and potential councillors and mayors. I felt then at that time, that I wanted to do more then just vote. I knew that I wanted to represent my neighbors and friends in the next coming election. I hope to bring my positive attitude and common sense approach to council and be the voice of all who live in ward 2. - Why are you running in the election?
I am running to be a council member who will work hard for all and be the guy that will ask the tough questions and gets real results and answers for the people in Ward 2. I want to make sure concerns of all the people in Ward 2 are listened to and given equal respect to each unique concern. I understand that the problems in the rural areas are different than the ones in the city of Chatham and I will fight to make sure that their voice is heard. I will admit I am not a flashy guy who you will see at every event or function in the municipality waving with a big smile just to be noticed, I will be the guy behind the scenes working diligently to get results to make our Municipality the best place to live and invest in. - What is the biggest challenge facing Chatham-Kent?
The Municipality as a whole I’m my opinion must a) do better with the housing crisis and homelessness. We need to have a better plan to rehabilitate and have resources available to help people stay in their homes and not end up on the streets. We need to stop just moving homeless from shelter to shelter and find a permanent solution to get them back on track.
b) We absolutely have to do better with all the theft, stolen property, break-ins that happen throughout the entire municipality. It has affected so many people and businesses! I feel as if this has become and is treated as acceptable behaviour and we are simply left to live with it! UNACCEPTABLE!
As for Ward 2 I feel that their biggest challenge is the lack of or the different services available even within its own ward 2 boundaries. From high speed internet, to garbage and recycling pickup to policing and emergency services. I plan to fight for the equalization of these services for all in the municipality. I have heard from many that they feel that they are not listened to or ignored and I will work hard to change that and unite the great municipality of Chatham-Kent. - What do you consider to be Chatham-Kent’s biggest asset?
Our location on the map! We are so fortunate to have two lakes, multiple rivers and waterways that we are able to enjoy throughout all seasons from boating to fishing and beautiful sunsets. Great soil to allow us to grow so many different fruits and vegetables and host festivals and fairs. The pride in the farmers, entrepreneurs and workforce that make our Municipality the best to live, work and play.(182) YourVote CK: Mike Walker, Ward 2 (South-Kent- Candidate) – YouTube
