By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE — Dick Passmore is hoping to use the office of mayor to tackle several concerning social issues, including better access to mental and physical health resources, along with ensuring the different areas of Haldimand retain their unique identities in the face of accelerated growth.
Born on a farm in Canboro and now living in Dunn-ville, Passmore’s ancestors came to Haldimand 150 years ago. The youngest of five siblings, he found inspiration in his eldest sister, whom he says “imbued a lot of her hippie influence on me when it comes to social justice, challenging the status quo, as well as my taste in music.”
Passmore’s unique career path started on the back of a garbage truck for his family business. He then spent 18 years at a chemical plant, where he was both the Vice President and Chief Steward of the workplace union. Switching gears in 2008, Passmore found his true calling in healthcare.
“I worked concurrently in hospice, long-term care, and for an Indigenous community health centre. It was there that my work in homelessness began, and I had the good fortune to travel across Canada and the USA as a consultant,” recalled Passmore. “I worked with frontline staff, managers, governmental staff from all levels, as well as interacting with marginalised people directly. All of these experiences contribute to my existing skill set and make me uniquely qualified for the role of mayor.”
Passmore said he has been asked to throw his hat in the ring in previous elections, and his campaign platform is based on discussions with residents: “One of the overarching themes I have heard from residents across the county is a desire to see an increase in transparency and accountability.”
He continued, “Community members have expressed a desire to see more supports in our area for mental and physical health and addictions. I will lead by example…. I will advocate for more supports with our provincial representatives, and through the numerous connections I’ve made over the years. Attainable and affordable housing are another huge challenge.”
Passmore feels that while the current council “did well” with their challenges, they have “lost sight of the needs of our existing residents.”
He elaborated, “So much work has been put into housing developments that it appears to be the only focus. People who live here have expressed to me that we need to improve what we have before we put any more money into something new. The proposed development in Nanticoke for example has presented itself as a point of contention with everyone I’ve spoken to.… I work from a data perspective, so I will need to see all of the details before any actions can be taken. Many people don’t feel connected to the physical community they live in because no thought appears to have been put into community building. I will work hard to rectify this.”
Passmore said residents should consider his extensive volunteer and community activism history when deciding who to vote for this fall.
“The leadership style I bring in is unlike that which I’ve seen in the current council. I work from a strengths-based approach where I rely on the individual expertise of the team members for input and insight. When people approach me with a request, my default answer isn’t ‘no’…. I don’t have all the answers but know that listening is the first step to finding a solution.”
Passmore concluded by touching on why he loves Haldimand so much: “A community is more than a collection of houses within a set geographic area. A community is made from the interaction of people, recreational activities, and business opportunities. We have a great sense of community in each of our small towns, and need to promote each one individually, while using the County for administration and support.”
