The 2018 Municipal Elections took place in Dufferin County On October 22nd 2018. In total 74 candidates across Dufferin’s 8 municipalities put their names forward to represent the people of Dufferin County. Congratulations to all those elected to council. The Dufferin Board of Trade remains committed to working with each of our municipalities and the County to ensure Dufferin remains the best place to do business.
Below are Dufferin’s municipal councils for the 2018-2022 Term:
Orangeville | Shelburne | Amaranth | Grand Valley | Melancthon | Mono | Mulmur | East Garafraxa | School Board
Orangeville
Mayor
Sandy Brown
Sandy Brown has been a resident of Orangeville for 26 years. Raised his family here and has been involved in our community for over 20 years including Past President and Current Member of the Orangeville Lions Club, Past President of the Orangeville Minor Hockey Association, Co-Chair of the Orangeville Lions Seven Bridges Run, Past Chair of the Volunteer Advisory Committee of the CNIB Lake Joseph Camp, Past Member of the Town of Orangeville Committee of Adjustment, Past Committee Member – V…
Phone: (519) 216-3030
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Deputy Mayor
Andy Macintosh
My name is Andy Macintosh you may know me from my time with Orangeville Fire Department, the last 16 years as your fire chief, until my retirement 2 years ago. During that time I was honored to receive, the National Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, Fire Service Long Service Medal, as well as the Queens Diamond Jubilee, and the Queens Golden Jubilee medals, and recently was the recipient of the Canada 150 Medallion. I have been a resident of Orangeville for the past 52 years, married to…
Phone: (519) 942-8663
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Councillor
Debbie Sherwood
ABOUT DEBBIE SHERWOOD
* I’ve been a resident of Orangeville for 39 years
* Have 3 grown adult children and 4 grandchildren born and raised in Orangeville
* Been involved in many sports clubs, school, arts and cultural organizations
Phone: (519) 942-4710
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Grant Peters
My name is Grant Peters and I am very excited to be a candidate for Orangeville Town Councillor. I am a dedicated father, local business owner, engineer, and volunteer. I fell in love with this town when my family moved here 8 years ago, but I know it can be even better. My participation in council committees, local events, volunteer initiatives, and the sporting community gives me a broad perspective on the needs of Orangeville. My focus will be on the long-term sustainability of Orangevill…
Phone: (519) 942-2449
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Joe Andrews
Joe Andrews has been part of Orangeville’s fabric for over 30 years. He is known for his outstanding commitment to this region as a leader in education, business and as an award-winning volunteer of countless community activities and organizations. Now he plans on focusing his energy as a member of Orangeville Town Council and will be seeking a seat as Councillor this October, 2018. He is well-known by many in this community for his leadership in post-secondary education since 2006, but he ha…
Phone: (519) 942-2837
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Lisa Post
My name is Lisa Post and I have been an Orangeville resident for over 25 years. I am married with 2 kids, aged 18 & 12 and last year, I started my own business, Written Works. I am currently the co-chair of the Board of Directors for Hospice Dufferin and I am a board member for both Community Living Dufferin and for Community Safety Partners. I am on the organizing committee for Celebrate Your Awesome and I am a member of the town’s Arts & Culture Committee. You may recognize my name from the…
Phone: (519) 216-8368
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Todd Taylor
I have lived in Orangeville since 2002. I raised my children here and I have volunteered my time for many town committees and non-profit groups. I am most proud of the contributions I have made to the Orangeville Optimist Club and as President of the Mono Nordic ski club. Since I have declared my candidacy for council, many have asked about what I do to a make a living. Here is the best way to describe what I do. I have worked for a wide variety of large food supply companies. Most of my time…
Phone: (416) 574-1894
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Shelburne
Mayor
Wade Mills (Acclaimed)
Bio pending submission
Deputy Mayor
Steve Anderson
I am a proud resident of Shelburne and a father of 2 children. Since coming to Shelburne and eventually joining Council, I have worked hard to make this town prosperous for all! As a growing community, we all have a responsibility to ensure that Shelburne remains a welcoming, inclusive and safe town to raise a family while having the necessary infrastructure and resources to support our growth. I believe we can accomplish this and more when we are working together! My vision for Shelburne is g…
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Councillor
Kyle Fegan
My name is Kyle Fegan and I’m proud to announce that I am running for Shelburne Town Council this coming election. I have been a resident of this wonderful town of ours for the past 9 years. In that time I have watched our town grow, and have become very involved in our community. I operate 2 businesses in town, the first is Impact Kreative, an advertising and marketing agency which has been in business now for the last 12 years. This year I have also opened Impact Martial Arts within the T…
Phone: (519) 278-1035
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Lindsay Wegener
My name is Lindsay Wegener. I’m running for your council. Here is my unconventional platform First off I must begin by saying I will be making only one promise during my campaign.This is because political figures do this all the time, become elected only to find out they cannot fulfill their promises. Therefore my one promise to you the people of Shelburne, is to be the best councillor I can, by listening to your needs and concerns and making decisions based on what is best for our communit…
Lynda Buffett
“Shelburne is facing major financial challenges in the next 4 year term of council because of the increasing pressures of fast-paced growth. ” There’s a saying that goes like this…… “Growth Pays for Growth”….. but my experience as a former municipal councillor tells a different story. And if this saying were true, Shelburne wouldn’t be facing these serious financial pressures today. Growth is now creating more financial strain on our existing infrastructure so managing growth is not an easy…
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Shane Hall
My name is Shane Hall and it is my privilege to be running for Shelburne Council. Many may know that I am employed at KTH Shelburne in the role of Senior Vice President. Our operations have seen North American benchmark status related to production and efficiency while at the same time seen tremendous growth within our operations. Our company prosperity has always had a very close tie to that of the town. Being the largest employer in Dufferin County our sustainability has always been a high…
Phone: (519) 925-6480
Walter Benotto
I have been a resident of the town of Shelburne for the last twenty four years. Before that I grew up in Melanchthon Township, went to school at a one room school, then Centennial Hylands and finally graduated from Centre Dufferin District High School. I then went to work in construction for ten years until I had a work related accident. I then retrained as an electronic technologist at Sheridan College. I have been a past Vice Chair of the Parents Council of both Hyland Heights, and Centre…
Phone: (519) 925-3983
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Amaranth
Mayor
Bob Currie
My wife and I have lived in Amaranth for over 50 years. We have three respectable children and nine near perfect grandchildren. I was your reeve/mayor for 15 years; the first six of which taxes never went up a dime. I ran a successful real estate company (Bob Currie Real Estate) for many years in the Shelburne area. We still own the two farms we purchased in the 1960’s where we ran a 100 plus cow herd, selling bulls and bred heifers. I have not collected a weekly paycheck in more than 40 year…
Phone: (519) 925-5510
Deputy Mayor
Chris Gerrits (Acclaimed)
Bio pending submission
Councillor
Gail Little
I am seeking re-election as a councillor for the Township of Amaranth. During the past four years, I have learned a lot about the issues and relationships that contribute to the well-being of a community. Many years ago, I made the decision to leave behind city life and become a rural resident. I now own and operate a working farm in Amaranth Township where the importance of agriculture to the economy continues to grow. I am on the executive of the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture and have…
Heather Foster
I’ve lived in Dufferin County for over 30 years and have a cow/calf operation, horses and dogs. In this time I have been on many boards and volunteered for many organizations such as DFA, Big Brothers/Sisters, HFFA, Police Services Board, and many more. Recently I was able to enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Shelburne Fair supervising the obstacle course. This would be my 3rd term as councillor and I bring my experience and understanding of Municipal and Provincial government. Understan…
Mark Tijssen
Mark grew up farming in Caledon, earned a BSc. at the University of Guelph and then served 32 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. He retired in 2017 as the Deputy Commandant of the Canadian Forces Training Development Centre in Borden. He and his wife Cynthia bought a wet farm in Amaranth and have rapidly transformed it into a productive oasis of farmland and maple trees. Mark is an active supporter of property rights and serves as president of the Dufferin Landowners Association; as such, he…
Phone: (519) 939-1889
Grand Valley
Mayor
Steve Soloman (Acclaimed)
Bio pending submission
Deputy Mayor
Philip Rentsch
My name is Philip Rentsch and I am running for the position of Deputy Mayor of the Town of Grand Valley. It has been an honour to serve one term on Council and I hoping to continue serving my community in a more advanced leadership position. I grew
up in East Luther Township (now part of Grand Valley) and attended elementary school in Grand Valley and high school in Shelburne. Upon graduation in 2000, I enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, where I earned a degree in…
Phone: (519) 938-0030
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Councillor
Elizabeth Taylor
My name is Elizabeth Taylor and my husband, Wayne and I live on 50 Mill Street in Grand Valley where we have raised three children. I am also the proud grandmother to four young adults. I have been a resident of Grand Valley for almost sixty years.
Community participation and leadership have always been important to me as an individual, as a wife and a Mom and Grandma. Therefore, with these convictions in mind, I, Elizabeth Taylor, am seeking a third term as Councillor for the Town of Grand…
Phone: (519) 928-2893
Rick Taylor
Rick Taylor is a lifelong resident and fifth generation of the Taylor family to reside in Grand Valley. He lives on Amaranth Street with his wife Kathy. He was a Public Works employee for the Town of Grand Valley from 1980 to 1994 and was the Manager/Operator of the Grand Valley Drinking Water System from 1994 to 2005. From 2005 until June of this year he was employed by Davison Bus Lines. He is currently employed by Attridge Bus Lines. During his 12 years on council (8 years as a councillo…
Phone: (519) 928-3332
Sam Pringle
Sam Pringle is a senior leader with over 15 years of experience in healthcare Supply Chain and currently oversees 800 million in annual spend across various hospitals in Ontario. He has a passion for serving the community, solving problems and ensuring best value for money. While relatively new to Grand Valley, having moved here just over two years ago, Sam has quickly become involved in the community. He now Chairs the volunteer Economic Development Committee (EDC) and is a member of two of…
Melancthon
Mayor
Darren White (Acclaimed)
Bio pending submission
Deputy Mayor
Dave Besley
Dave Besley Candidate – Melancthon Township As a lifelong farmer and local resident with a vested interest in the municipality where I work and live, I have once again put my name forward to run for Melancthon Township Council, this term for the position of Deputy Mayor. The past four years representing the citizens of Melancthon as Councillor have been immensely rewarding and enlightening, where I served on several Committees, including the Roads, Police Services, Shelburne Library, and th…
Phone: (519) 373-1227
Councillor
Wayne Hannon (Acclaimed)
I have lived and been around Melancthon all my life. The farm has been owned by the family for over 100 years. We raise black angus calves on our farm. I am a founding Director for the NFU-O Dufferin/Simcoe and a current board member. I am also the
President of the Shelburne and District Horticultural Society. I have served 12 years as President and a board member for 18 years.
David Thwaites (Acclaimed)
I have resided in the Township of Melancthon with my wife Nancy since 2007 and in greater Dufferin County since 1981. From 1981 through to October, 2014 I practiced law in Dufferin County providing litigation advocacy in the areas of family, civil, criminal, municipal, estates and employment law. Since I retired from private law practice I have provided mediation services. I have been active in the community. Most recently I have served as Chair of the Melancthon Police Service Board since 20…
Margaret Mercer (Acclaimed)
Bio pending submission
Mono
Mayor
Laura Ryan
Laura Ryan has been an active community citizen all her life and has represented the residents of Mono with professional decorum for 24 years. It was during her tenure as Assistant to the Mayor of Alliston that her political interests took hold. She served as Public School Trustee for 9 years, and was first elected to Mono Council in 2003 Laura was subsequently voted in as Mayor for the past two terms, and as County Warden in 2013 and 2016. She is an advocate at County level, serving on Econ…
Phone: (705) 435-4931
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Deputy Mayor
John Creelman
John served as Mono’s Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor in the 1990s and early 2000s. He served two consecutive as Dufferin County Warden (County Council Chair) For the last 15 years he was a Justice of the Peace and Regional Senior Justice of the Peace, retiring early this July. For almost four decades, John spent weekends and holidays in Mono until finally making it his permanent home in the late 1980s. In addition to writing and consulting, John started and operated a number of small…
Phone: (519) 939-2472
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Councillors
Fred Nix
Fred was born in Ontario and raised in British Columbia. He moved back to Ontario in 1958. He has an MA in economics from York University. He and his wife, Franca De Angelis, have lived in Mono for 44 years. Fred is a retired transportation consultant — – having worked in every province in Canada and widely throughout the United States. In 2005 in spent a year working in China after which he retired. Since retiring he has taken on projects in Africa (Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa)…
Phone: (519) 941-0225
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Ralph Manktelow
RALPH MANKTELOW – WHO I AM
I have been living in Mono full-time for ten years, but my family and I have been spending time here since 1983, when my wife Marg and I first purchased our farm. Immediately I recognized that the Mono hills and valleys, with their fields, forests, streams, and ponds, were very special. I felt that the natural spaces of Mono were worthy of our protection. This is one of the main reasons that I beca…
Phone: (519) 217-6362
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Sharon Martin
It has been a privilege to serve on Mono Council for the last four years. We have had to deal with some challenges and difficult issues. I am certain we dealt with each problem with our constituents upper most in our minds. Gravel, high speed internet, noise complaints, engaging all citizens will all be ongoing issues. Being out in the community has been the highlight of each and every year. Winterfest, Mono on a Bike Family Ski Day, the Mayor Ryan’s Levy, the 150 Family Picnic at Mono Cent…
Phone: (519) 215-9254
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Mulmur
Mayor
Janet Horner
Janet is a partner with husband Brian in the family business, Whitfield Farms Ltd., a grain and oil seed farm in Mulmur. For thirty years, they also operated Whitfield Farms Catering and Janet brings a tremendous amount of experience in small business management, event planning and human resources. Currently, Janet is Executive Director of the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance. Through her involvement with the board of the Alliance, she has had significant responsibility in policy…
Phone: (519) 925-5975
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Deputy Mayor
Earl Hawkins
I am a lifetime Mulmur resident who operates a beef farm west of Mansfield with my wife Rhonda. We have 4 children and 4 grandchildren, all living in Mulmur. I am well aware of the issues unique to our region. I have served 19 years as a Mulmur Councillor and I have been Deputy Mayor for the past 2 years. My experience on council has included: * 6 years on Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority * 9 years on Mansfield Recreation Committee * 6 years on Shelburne Fire Board * 10 years on Rose…
Phone: (519) 925-5927
Councillor
Ken Cufaro
Ken Cufaro was born and raised in Toronto. Ken has been a public servant since 1975 when he started his career as a police constable with Metropolitan Toronto Police and later with the OPP (Barrie Detachment). In 1987, Ken with his wife Louise and children Elliott and Amanda moved and transitioned from city life to country living, when they took up residence and farming in Clearview Township. The transition was as smooth as silk as he found the country folk to be most welcoming, friendly and…
Phone: (705) 791-2126
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Patricia Clark
Patty has been a resident of Dufferin County for 30 years, with the last 19 years living in Mulmur with her husband and two sons. She holds a degree from the University of Toronto, and a business certificate from Seneca College. Patty has 34 years of experience as an Executive Director working in the not for profit sector in the health and fitness field, at both the provincial and national level. She received a Provincial Citation for her distinguished contribution to her field of work. She i…
Shirley Boxem
Shirley and her husband Tom came to Mulmur over 14 years ago from Richmond Hill. Their 4 daughters had left the nest and on a weekend drive they found this wonderful place. All was fairly quiet until they attended Foodstock which turned out to be a game changer. Shirley then spent a number of years volunteering on the executive of NDACT/Food&WaterFirst and has advocated extensively for farmland protection including consulting with David Crombie on the Coordinated Four Plan Review. Currently…
Phone: (647) 239-0347
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East Garafraxa
The Council positions for the Township of East Garafraxa have all been acclaimed with the current Council members. The Upper Grand District School Board Trustee position has also been acclaimed, therefore eligible electors who support the English Public School Board or have no School support will NOT receive a Voter Instruction Letter as there are no races to vote. Eligible Electors for the other three School Boards (English Separate, French Public and French Separate) should receive a Voter Instruction Letter in the mail by the end of September or beginning of October. If you do not receive one, please contact the Municipal Office at 519-941-1007.
Please visit the Election page on the Township website for more election information http://www.eastgarafraxa.ca/en/municipal-government/Elections.aspx
Below are the contact details for each Municipal Council member:
Mayor
Gardhouse, Guy
519-855-4835
[email protected]
Deputy Mayor
Stirk, John
519-939-0703
[email protected]
Councillors
Banfield, Lenora
519-939-3009
[email protected]
Nevills, Tom
519-855-4324
[email protected]
Pinkney, Fran
519-855-6332
[email protected]
The Dufferin Board of Trade has published the above biographies, verbatim, as received from the candidates. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of our organization, its Directors or staff.