With the municipal election on Oct. 26 approaching, we invited each candidate to respond to the same four questions about their reason for running, priorities and vision for the municipality, qualifications, and contact information. Their responses are published below as submitted, subject only to length and standard copyediting for style, grammar, and clarity. Candidates were asked to keep their responses focused on their own qualifications, priorities and vision for the municipality. Candidates are listed alphabetically within each position they are running for.
Jerry Chadwick — Running for Councillor
1. What made you want to run for municipal office?
My career has been dedicated to public service as an elementary teacher and principal in Toronto. After retiring in 2009, I wanted to continue using my skills, which led me to successfully run for Trustee of the Toronto District School Board for two terms. I focused on ensuring that the voices of the community and schools were heard at the Board level.
In 2022, I grew dissatisfied with the direction of the Council. Conversations with neighbors at our cottage in Tudor and Cashel, which we've owned since 1999, revealed shared concerns about the Council's financial decisions and reserve fund usage. I chose to act and ran for Councillor.
During our first term, we achieved significant improvements for Tudor and Cashel, including opening a new health clinic, purchasing a fire truck, enhancing year-round road access for residents, creating an Asset Management plan, negotiating a four-year contract for unionized staff, and maintaining low tax increases. Despite these successes, many challenges still face our rural community. I am committed to running again to continue enhancing the quality of life for our residents.
2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality?
Our council has been focused and resourceful in addressing the needs of our community while remaining mindful of the limitations of our tax base. We often face frustration due to the downloading of expenses from the provincial government to municipalities, which places additional pressure on our budgeting and the use of reserve funds to maintain our assets, as outlined in the Asset Management Plan. A clear example of this downloading is the increasing costs associated with O.P.P. policing in our community — a necessary expenditure. Over the past two years, the O.P.P. line in our budget has seen an 11 per cent rise each year. If this trend continues, it could become a significant issue for our community.
Looking ahead, our community faces several challenges over the next four years, with one major concern being the rehabilitation or replacement of the Glanmire bridge and the maintenance of the Old Hastings Road in that area. This bridge and road serve as the only alternative exit route to Hwy 62, making this issue critical. Our Council is committed to exploring shared services with other townships and levels of government. For the Glanmire Bridge issue, collaboration and support from federal and provincial governments are essential to ensure our residents have a safe exit strategy in the event of a highway disaster.
Navigating these challenges requires an experienced and dedicated Council. All five members of the current Council recognize these needs and have decided to run for re-election to continue addressing them, along with any new issues that may arise during the term. I strongly encourage voters to support the current Council members in returning to office.
3. What makes you best suited for the role?
During challenging times, we need leaders who possess experience and are dedicated to serving the entire community without personal agendas. With 12 years of combined experience as an elected official, I understand the intricacies of governance. I am committed to representing all citizens of Tudor and Cashel, ensuring that both full-time and seasonal residents are treated equitably.
During my 2022 campaign, a longtime resident reminded me that, although I am a cottager, my responsibility is to represent everyone. I have taken that advice to heart throughout my first term and will continue to do so if re-elected in 2026.
As a lifelong learner, I have gained invaluable insights from the residents of this township, and I look forward to continuing that journey over the next four years.
4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?
I can be reached at 613-318-8231.
Elain Holloway — Running for Councillor
1. What made you want to run for municipal office?
My decision to seek another term in municipal office comes from the momentum our council has built over the past four years. We've moved our Township forward through major projects, including our asset management plan, strategic plan, and the opening of our new clinic.
These accomplishments reflect the kind of long term, practical planning I care deeply about.
Communication has always been my passion, and I've continued to show up for the same things that matter to me: fair communication, accessible community programs, and thoughtful planning for the future of our Township.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Ontario East Municipal Conference in Ottawa. The discussions there highlighted significant changes happening at the provincial and federal levels — changes that will directly affect municipalities like ours. Understanding those shifts is essential to advocating for our community's needs. Connecting with other municipal leaders reinforced that small municipalities across Ontario share many of the same challenges. Standing together, learning from one another, and ensuring our residents understand how upper level decisions affect local services is important to me. That sense of shared purpose and responsibility is a major part of why I continue to serve.
2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality, and how would you go about solving them?
Our municipality faces a combination of practical, long term challenges and emerging pressures from changes at higher levels of government. One of the most significant issues is ensuring that we continue building on the foundational work already completed — our asset management plan, strategic plan, and the steps taken toward improving local access to healthcare through our new clinic. These initiatives require ongoing attention, monitoring, and adjustment as circumstances evolve.
Another major issue is the impact of provincial and federal policy changes. At the Ontario East Municipal Conference, it became clear that municipalities across the province are preparing for shifts that could affect funding, service delivery, and the way local governments operate. Understanding these changes and anticipating how they will influence our Township is essential for responsible planning.
Small municipalities also share common challenges: maintaining infrastructure with limited resources, ensuring fair access to services for residents across a wide geographic area, and supporting community programs that keep people connected and engaged. Collaboration with neighbouring municipalities and staying informed through provincial networks helps us navigate these issues more effectively.
Finally, communication remains a core challenge and priority. Residents need clear, accessible information about decisions, programs, and changes that affect them. Strengthening communication helps build trust, encourages participation, and ensures people feel heard as we move forward.
3. What makes you best suited for the role?
My suitability for this role comes from a combination of experience, community involvement, and a genuine passion for serving the people of our Township.
Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of being deeply involved in programs that support our residents, including coordinating the Seniors Accessibility Grant during its first two years and staying engaged with the Seniors Active Living Centre as it continues to grow.
My background in media, communication, event planning, and community programming has given me the tools to keep residents informed and connected. I believe strongly that people deserve clear, accessible information about what is happening in their municipality, and I've worked hard to make that a priority.
I've also gained valuable experience by working with other municipalities and learning from leaders across the province. The knowledge I've built — through conferences, collaboration, and hands on involvement — has put me in a stronger position than ever before to understand the complexities of municipal governance.
Most importantly, I care deeply about where I live. My passion for this community, combined with the relationships I've built and the experience I've gained, makes this role a natural fit for me.
4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?
I Residents can reach me by phone or email, both of which are listed on the Township website. I welcome questions, concerns, and conversations from anyone who wants to learn more about my work, my involvement in the community, or the direction we're heading as a municipality.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences. I'm grateful for the continued engagement within our community.
Brent Taylor — Running for Councillor
1. What made you want to run for municipal office?
I'm seeking a second term as Councillor for Tudor and Cashel primarily to continue the work the work our current Council has achieved - Senior Living grant and Community programs, Gilmour Health Clinic, enhancement of the 78+ kms of roads within our community. I'm choosing to step-up and contribute to our community.
2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality, and how would you go about solving them?
Keeping property taxes at a reasonable level given the increasing cost and levies being downloaded by the province and county on municipalities. Working with our neighboring Townships with share services agreements where they benefit both municipalities such as what we have accomplished with Fire and Building Inspection services is an effective way to deliver the valuable services our property owners expect without increasing taxes substantially. Serving as Council's delegate on the Conservation and Police Boards, there have been many questionable changes implemented by the Province these past two years that need to be challenged to protect the environment and security of our Township.
3. What makes you best suited for the role?
Having completed a successful first term and recently retired, I've found that my career as a Human Resources professional in the legal, financial, and travel sectors has provided me with the foundational skills and experience to navigate the complexities of municipal affairs and challenges.
4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?
Feel free to email me at: brentataylor@outlook.com
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