Race is on for Clearview’s deputy mayor
The race for deputy mayor is heating up in Clearview with two new candidates filing their nomination papers this month.
Paul Van Staveren and Chuck Arrand will join Deborah Bronée on the ballot.
Having sold Stayner Rental to Cooper Equipment Rentals, Paul Van Staveren is nearing the end of his one-year transitional position with the company.
With retirement on the horizon for December and with the blessing of his wife Edina, Van Staveren has decided to run for deputy mayor.
Van Staveren has lived locally for 33 years. He said he has always been engaged with local issues, he has served on the Clearview economic development committee in the past and has been involved in regional small business development efforts.
He said he graduated from University of Guelph in 1984, having studied agriculture and business. He worked in banking before launching Stayner Rental in 1989. The Van Staverens still have an active cow/ calf farming operation near Stayner with son Peter. They also have two daughters, Karen and Diane.
Van Staveren said he felt encouraged to join the race by people in the community. He was very vocal in the opposition of the plan to reduce speed limits on rural Clearview roads, joining a group of businesses and farmers who campaigned successfully to maintain the current speed limit of 80 km/hr. He also noted that he is interested in addressing the community’s relationship with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. When asked why he is running for deputy mayor, as opposed to a ward seat, Van Staveren said, “You can be more involved at that level, as opposed to a councillor. I like the idea of representing everybody.”
He said through his business, he knows many people in the whole of Clearview Township, and believes there are already some really good people running for council seats.
“I’m all about Clearview,” he said. “I don’t have any real agenda but I do have concerns.”
Chuck Arrand retired in New Lowell after a 28-year military career. He and his wife Rose, who had also retired from the military, chose to settle in New Lowell after being posted to Base Borden. They have two grown sons, John and Jesse.
“We really fell in love with New Lowell, and in the ensuing time, Clearview Township,” he said. “And we’re here until the end.”
Arrand grew up in Ottawa and decided to join the military rather than go to university. He worked in logistics, problem solving and ensuring missions were successful.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my career,” said Arrand, adding that he served on Canadian bases cosst-to-coast but spent almost half of his time in Petawawa.
He said he has served his country and now he would like to serve his community.
“After years of moving around from place to place and never putting down roots, it felt really good to put down roots in Clearview,” said Arrand.
Arrand was president of the New Lowell Legion for five years and as of June is now the E3 Zone commander, overseeing 12 branches.
He said he is very interested in local issues and has served on the committee of adjustment for five years. He said increasing the tax base, moving things forward and increasing development have been important to him.
“Really, truly I like to be involved,” said Arrand.
He said he chose to run for the deputy mayor seat because he has an interest in county council and there were already two capable candidates running in Ward 5.
“I really do want to have some influence in ensuring that Clearview gets what they deserve out of the county portion of the budget,” said Arrand. “As deputy mayor, that gives me that voice.”
To get in touch with any of the candidates, find their contact info at www.clearview.ca/government- committees/election.
In the past week, Laura Dockeray- Perry has filed to run in Clearview Ward 1. The addition means that there is a race in every ward.
As of presstime, Mayor Doug Measures remains unchallenged.
In Mulmur, Timothy Tranfananko, Daryl Stansfield and Barry Smith have added their names to the list of nominees for councillor.
The 2022 municipal election will be held on Oct. 24. The nomination deadline is August 19 at 2 p.m.
