There are three candidates competing to be Ward 6’s next councillor.
By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE—With Ward 6 Councillor Bernie Corbett deciding not to run, three new candidates have stepped up in a bid to replace him at Council.
Happily married with two grown daughters, Lisa Taylor was born and raised in Dunnville. She currently owns Vital Link Training Services, offering instruction in First Aid and CPR. On her experience, she said, “I have education in the following fields: Law and Security, American Sign Language, and Paralegal. I have volunteered for many organizations, including 21 years with the OPP Auxiliary as an Auxiliary Constable.”
She has entered the race because “it’s time for me to utilize my knowledge, skills, years of endeavours, my lifetime spent here, and because of what I can accomplish for Ward 6 in the future.”
“When a resident has an issue, educate that person on what can be done to bring their desire to life. Be there to cut the ribbon at a grand opening, congratulate someone on a birth, give my condolences when someone has lost a loved one,” said Taylor on her expectations for the role. “In a time of crisis, reassure my constituents that every Ward 6 resident will be represented, respond to that email, phone call, or text message when someone is searching for an answer.”
She listed housing, community safety, and the need for more doctors as her ward’s biggest concerns.
On housing, Taylor would “utilize the land that we have available for the appropriate structures to be built. With a 240-unit seniors complex coming and a 30-unit mixed housing plan, this would be a good start.”
On community safety, she would “encourage the OPP to use their resources and training to make our communities safer, like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. We should consider reducing speed limits in urban areas to 40km.”
On doctors, she said, “We are in need of family doctors; I would like to join the team of people that are working on this task. I have a contact who is a family doctor. He is willing to educate me on how to make this task work.”
Despite the challenges, Taylor feels fortunate to call Dunnville home: “The memories here are endless, which makes my life whole.”
Like Taylor, candidate Patrick O’Neill is a lifetime Dunnville resident who is passionate and involved in many community endeavours.
“I did my post-secondary education in International Business and Political Science school and currently work in sales and logistics. I volunteer for the Jr. Mudcats and sit on the board at Dunnville’s Legion and Chamber of Commerce,” said O’Neill, adding he supports various local sports clubs. He, his wife (also from Dunnville), and their three dogs “spend a lot of time with friends and family and participate in local pastimes and traditions.”
O’Neill is running because Council is the “ideal place” to apply his passion for his hometown, noting that his education and experience make him a great choice. He added, “I want to be the voice for my community and represent my neighbours with integrity, respect, and transparency. I believe that the decisions made in local government can significantly impact the lives of the people in the County, and I want to ensure those impacts are positive.”
He continued, “Ward 6 is a beautiful place to live, as the County staff and previous councillors have built a solid foundation to work from. However, I have heard some concerns, such as a lack of programming for children and seniors, too many vacancies in our healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries, and an overall feeling of stagnation.”
He said he will work hard to “empower our community groups so they can offer more community programming. I will advocate for more funding to develop new recreational spaces. I will also ensure I’m involved with physician recruitment and work hard to develop a program to attract healthcare workers and skilled labour to Ward 6…. I want to work hard to inspire a higher level of community engagement and to celebrate what makes Ward 6 the most incredible place to live.”
He concluded by sharing what he loves most about Dunnville: “The people. These are the people I have known my whole life. They have raised and taught me my values and been there to lend support.”
Julie Marchese, owner of local restaurant Julia’s Bistro and founder of Julia’s Care-A-Closet charity, began her statement by listing the family she loves so much, including husband Paul, sons and spouses Jonathon and Julia and Carmine and Karleigh, and of course her four amazing grandchildren, Michela, Carmine, Ariana, and Adalia.
In addition to running her business and charity, Marchese said she has also fostered over 130 children and teens over the years, “whom I dearly love.”
Of her background she said, “I have lived and worked in Haldimand County for the past 11 years, working at Angelic Gardens taking care of seniors. I’ve also worked along with Senior Support Services, providing hot and frozen healthy, nutritious meals.”
She hopes her community efforts will inspire residents in her ward to vote for her, noting, “For the previous many years I’ve been out in the community, I conduct myself with integrity commitment, and transparency. I will be true and work very hard for the community.”
Marchese called herself a leader, adding, “I listen, I am connected to our community, I’m passionate, I’m a hard worker. I will take action and get things done.”
While she said there are “some” challenges facing her ward, Marchese said she would allow the community to “voice their plan…. I’ve already started working on a lot of them. I am also working on having dedicated teams and leadership to ensure that we have consistency and building a sense of belonging to the community.”
She said if elected she plans to hold monthly meetings where people can “bring their suggestions and concerns forth and we can work together as a team. I would like to see all not-for-profit, charity, and service groups working together in our community. I am so thankful for all your kind words and suggestions that I have heard during my campaign. If you did not receive the opportunity to speak to me, please call me at 905-906-3924.”
This concludes The Haldimand Press candidate coverage for the 2022 municipal election, with mayoral and ward profiles having been done weekly. If you missed a profile, find it at haldimandpress.com.
Make sure to study up on what your candidates have to offer and get out and vote if you haven’t already. Internet voting is available at haldimandcounty.ca/election, where you can also find a list of advance voting locations. Election day is October 24.
