A number of nominations in the last couple of weeks has resulted in a race for all council seats in Clearview Township.
Seven people have filed in the last weeks of the nomination period, with three filing their paperwork on the very last day.
Since Aug. 19, two first-time nominees have surfaced to challenge Marty Beelen, current Ward 5 representative, for the deputy mayor’s chair.
Justin McGillvray (above) filed on Aug. 19.
McGillvray’s interest in running for deputy mayor was sparked when he heard the shocking statistic that only 32 per cent of eligible Clearview Township voters cast a ballot in the last municipal election. McGillvray is committed to finding ways to engage younger voters, and also the older people who didn’t care enough to vote last time.
“My priorities are responsible development, strong infrastructure, opportunities for local businesses and developing housing options for families, while protecting our farmland,” said McGillvray. He grew up on a farm on the 12th line, and has been running his own farming operation on the 5th line near New Lowell for the past 12 years. He grew up with horses, and recently acquired a herd of beef cattle. He has served as a volunteer firefighter for several years.
McGillvray decided to “jump in with both feet” and seek the deputy mayor’s job.
“I know there will be a learning curve, but I’m willing to give this 100 per cent, and I won’t treat it as a part time gig,” he said. “I care about the community I call home and want to have a hand in shaping its future.”
Lisa Rolfe (above) filed on Aug. 21.
Rolfe grew up in Innisfil, and has made her home in New Lowell for the past 12 years. Prior to last October, she spent a dozen years as district manager for a Canadian retail chain overseeing 14 stores and more than 200 employees. More recently, she made the decision to work full-time on home schooling her daughter.
Rolfe said she has always been interested in politics, but her work schedule simply didn’t allow her to pursue that interest.
“I think the municipal level of government affects everything we do. The biggest thing I could bring to the role of deputy mayor would be open, honest answers,” she said. “I don’t know everything and I’m not afraid to admit it, but I will commit to finding answers.”
Rolfe believes that while her opinions do matter, the primary responsibility of an elected representative is to represent the wishes of the electorate.
Rolfe, who has no previous council experience, said she contemplated running for mayor, but decided it made sense to start with the deputy mayor’s job and get a handle on how things work.
She is an active volunteer with the kids ministry at Clearview Community Church.
WARD 1
In Ward 1, Craig Houghton will challenge incumbent Phyllis Dineen, who was first appointed to council in 2020 after the death of Ed Christie. Dineen first ran for council in 2018, when she placed second to Christie. She was elected for the first time in 2022.
Houghton, a retired police officer who served in the Collingwood area, said he sees a council term as a continuation of his service to the community.
“My life has been defined by public service. I have a passion for serving others, and I’m eager to bring that commitment to the council as a representative for reform for Ward 1,” said Houghton.
“I believe [Nottawa] is one of the gems of Clearview Township, and my wife of over 40 years and I’ve been blessed to raise our family here, immersed in the natural beauty of Georgian Bay. But I’m running for the township council because I believe that Ward 1 deserves a strong, informed, and independent voice at the council table.”
As a 32-year resident of the McKean subdivision, Houghton said he sees a planned 500-home subdivision as an opportunity.
“There’s been concerns about wells, septic systems aging, being close together, potential leakage. I see this development as an opportunity to partner with Georgian Communities to help resolve waste management and water for the whole surrounding community,” said Houghton.
He said running for council wasn’t in his master plan but had been percolating for a while. Ultimately he succumbed to the encouragement of his supporters.
WARD 2
Two new additions have resulted in a three-way race for Ward 2 alongside James Webster.
New Lowell resident Chuck Arrand has opted to run outside of his home community.
He said, with three great candidates running in Ward 5, he decided to put his name down for Ward 2, where he said he has many connections through the Legion, as a member of the township’s committee of adjustment, and as a regular at the pub.
Arrand and his wife settled in New Lowell after retiring from the military. He retired a Warrant Officer working as fleet manager at Base Borden.
He is a key volunteer with Sunnidale Winterama and the New Lowell Legion where he has served as president and then E3 Zone commander, overseeing 12 branches, including Creemore.
Arrand ran for deputy mayor in 2022 but with new governance composition at the county level, the deputy mayor will no longer have a seat on county council. Arrand said this, and some advice that he hold a council seat before making another attempt for the position of deputy mayor have informed his decision to run as the representative for the Creemore area.
“I believe I bring a different perspective, having never been in politics and coming from a military background, and I believe common sense is necessary to balance council. So I believe that my point of view on many subjects, would be a welcome addition to council,” Arrand told The Echo.
Gary Walters is also running in Ward 2.
Walters has applied his professional financial expertise to local volunteer positions with Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society and was treasurer and president at Mansfield Ski Club. He is currently working in the role of chief actuary for a group benefits provider but plans to retire in the next couple of years. He has also been treasurer and president of Badminton Ontario.
Born in England, Walters has lived in Canada for 39 years. He lived in the GTA until relocating to Creemore in 2019.
Walters said while he lacks in council experience he has extensive board experience in both non-profit and commercial sectors, in addition to a personal interest in politics.
He lists his three priorities as controlling growth, protecting the environment along with rural and agricultural lands, and improving affordability so people who want to live in Creemore can do so.
“Growth is inevitable, and I think it’s important that we try and control growth rather than let it happen to us,” said Walters.
WARD 4
A last minute opponent has materialized for Ward 4 candidate Ken Walker.
Larry Culham, a consistent presence in Stayner for 28 years, filed his nomination papers on Friday, his first campaign since running unsuccessfully for deputy mayor in 2014.
“Now we’re a few more years down the road. I’ve got different priorities, and I think I can give back to the community with a term on council,” said Culham.
Now a real estate agent, Culham had a 23-year career in local media, having worked at The Stayner Sun and its affiliates.
He is an active church member, was president of the chamber of commerce, served on the now disbanded economic development committee, has volunteered with the Clearview Stayner Food Bank and is a member of the Stayner Heritage Society.
Culham is the recipient of the 2019 Thomas Stayner Award for citizen of the year; 2014 Stayner Chamber of Commerce Community Builder of the Year 2014; and the 2016 Stayner Chamber of Commerce President’s Award for community service, with his wife Tamara.
With their daughter, Larry and Tamara opened a retail store called Welcome Home Art Decor Plants in 2023.
He lists his campaign pillars as pragmatism: dealing with reality, facts and constraints rather than ideology; responsibility: taking taxpayers’ money and municipal decisions seriously; and commitment: continuing to genuinely care about the community and am prepared to put in the work.
WARD 3
Clearview Township’s spending watchdog David “Bud” Witzke is back on the ballot, this time in Ward 3. Witzke is vocal on the Facebook group Clearview News and Commentary and at council meetings.
Witzke has submitted numerous questions to council through the township’s online portal since a verbal altercation with Mayor Doug Measures in 2023. Before that, he regularly appeared at the podium.
Witzke appeared before council to challenge the secrecy around the settlement of a lawsuit against the Roxodus Music Festival. Measures pointed out that the rules of public participation clearly state that matters of litigation will not be discussed, but assured Witzke that the municipality has been fully recompensed.
That answer did not satisfy Witzke who left the chambers shouting “You’re pathetic Measures!”
The mayor responded saying, “That’s it. I will not have you back here again.” Measures added, “I will not take that type of abuse from citizens who come forward during public participation.”
Witzke declined to participate in The Echo’s coverage of the 2022 election but he did appear at an all-candidates meeting wearing a Roxodus hat.
WARD 5
Melanie Walters is running again in Ward 5. A 14-year resident of New Lowell, she is an active volunteer at Cleaview Township events, including Sunnidale Winterama, and sits on hall boards in Avening and Brentwood.
ACCLAIMED
Trustees Brandy Rafeek (School Board Trustee - English Public) and Shawn Cooper (School Board Trustee - English Separate) have both been acclaimed.
Candidate meetings
Sept. 24
Nottawa Area Residents Association is hosting a meeting for mayor, deputy mayor and Ward 1 candidates at 7 p.m. at Clearview Community Church, 20 Batteaux Rd., Nottawa.
Oct. 3
Mulmur All Candidates Meeting hosted by Mono Mulmur Citizens’ Coalition (MC)2 at the Mulmur Town Office. 10 a.m.
Oct. 6
Escarpment Corridor Alliance is hosting an all-candidates meeting at the Creemore Legion. Doors open at 6 p.m.
