HAMILTON—Three candidates seeking Haldimand County’s top political job traded ideas on growth, infrastructure, government accountability, and leadership during a televised mayoral debate, while the incumbent mayor’s chair sat empty.
Andy Griffin, Jesse Little, and Jake Vandendool participated in the Cable 14 debate in Hamilton, moderated by Harmony McKenzie, on September 25, 2026.
Incumbent Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley did not attend. Cable 14 said Bentley received an invitation but was unable to participate because of a prior commitment. Bentley was instead attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice’s Williamson House.
The participating candidates began by outlining the experience and priorities they would bring to the mayor’s office.
Griffin pointed to more than 20 years of operating businesses in the Dunnville area, saying the experience gave him a background in budgeting, procurement, asset management, and public works.
“My priorities come from listening to you. Affordability, community safety, accessible services, reliable infrastructure,” Griffin said.
He said Council needs to allow councillors to disagree and ask difficult questions while remaining capable of working together once decisions are made.
Little focused much of his campaign message on government accountability and what he described as failures by the County to properly serve residents and uphold their rights.
“I’m running for back to basics. The public come first,” Little said. “Any decision made is to be made with that in mind.”
Vandendool highlighted experience in the Ontario Public Service, the OPP auxiliary, telecommunications, and community organizations.
He said Haldimand will face significant decisions during the next four years involving growth, farmland, infrastructure, and municipal finances.
“My approach is simple – put Haldimand first,” Vandendool said. “Ask the right questions, make responsible decisions, take care of the basics, and lead with respect and professionalism.”
Asked about Indigenous land sovereignty and Haldimand County’s relationship with Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Vandendool said outstanding land claims are primarily matters involving Indigenous communities and senior governments. He said those issues should not prevent neighbouring communities from building stronger relationships.
“There’s a huge potential for our communities to work together,” Vandendool said.
Griffin similarly called for regular communication, earlier consultation on projects, and cooperation on infrastructure, economic development, and environmental initiatives.
Little said governments must first operate within their own legal responsibilities before they can properly address larger disputes.
All three were also asked how they would improve Haldimand’s relationship with senior levels of government.
Griffin said he has already met with Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and MP Leslyn Lewis and would seek stronger cooperation between Council and other levels of government.
Little said those relationships should be based on “respect and accountability,” while acknowledging disagreements will occur.
Vandendool said provincial relationships are particularly important because municipalities operate within a framework established by Queen’s Park, while federal relationships can help secure infrastructure and housing funding.
“When everybody’s at the table, that’s when business gets done,” he said.
Infrastructure emerged as a major theme.
Little identified deteriorating infrastructure as one of the County’s most pressing problems.
“There’s concerns with roads and congestion. But the infrastructure is the foundation of any community,” he said.
Vandendool said concerns extend well beyond Haldimand’s two largest communities, arguing rural communities and smaller urban centres also need attention. He identified traffic safety as one of the most common concerns he has heard while campaigning.
Griffin focused on the need for additional employment lands and commercial and industrial development to expand Haldimand’s tax base alongside residential growth.
Development returned to the forefront when candidates were asked how Council should evaluate residential and commercial applications.
Vandendool noted that planning decisions must comply with provincial legislation, planning policies, County bylaws, and existing zoning: “We have to adhere to the law, and that’s what we must do at all times,” he said.
Griffin said Council should remain open to receiving information about proposed developments while being clear that hearing a presentation does not amount to approval.
Little agreed provincial planning rules limit municipal discretion but said public input must remain part of the process.
“The public do have a say on how they want their county to develop,” he said.
A viewer question asked whether relationships between candidates could lead to predetermined voting blocs on the next council.
Little said he has no political affiliations, while Vandendool said he was running his campaign independently and rejected suggestions that outside organizations or political parties were involved. Griffin also described himself as an independent candidate.
“I’m not here to criticize other candidates’ campaigns; how they run their campaigns,” Griffin said. “Everybody’s free to run their campaign how they want.”
During the open forum, candidates discussed Haldimand’s recently granted strong mayor powers.
Griffin said he is not a supporter of the powers and would prefer they were not necessary. He said one possible use could involve directing greater examination of municipal service delivery and comparing Haldimand’s performance with other municipalities.
Little said the powers could be used when necessary to address wrongdoing or administrative problems and should be exercised transparently.
Vandendool, who raised the question, emphasized that strong mayor powers have changed the authority of the position.
The candidates also debated municipal spending and project oversight.
Little questioned cost overruns on County projects and argued residents need greater scrutiny of spending.
Griffin said the County should have more internal technical expertise capable of reviewing consultant work and procurement decisions before projects proceed.
Vandendool said business principles can be applied to government to improve efficiency, but cautioned that municipal government exists to provide services rather than generate profit.
“You have to run that business efficiently,” Vandendool said of his private-sector experience. “I intend to bring business fundamentals to the County.”
The final viewer question asked what types of businesses the candidates would seek to attract.
Vandendool said Haldimand should strengthen its commercial and industrial tax base by pursuing businesses of different sizes and making greater use of employment lands.
Griffin said the County receives significant interest in serviced employment lands and should move faster to prepare areas such as the North Caledonia employment lands and Nanticoke industrial area for investment.
Little said Haldimand should attract “clean and productive” businesses while ensuring infrastructure and employment lands are prepared before companies are asked to invest.
“A business wants stability,” Little said.
In their closing remarks, all three returned to the themes that shaped their campaigns. Vandendool emphasized leadership, professionalism, and cooperation. Little repeated his call for greater accountability and a government focused on residents.
Griffin highlighted responsible spending, affordability, infrastructure, and a council capable of working together.
The Press will host mayoral candidates for a debate on October 7. The public is invited to attend in-person at the Riverside Exhibition Hall in Caledonia, or to view the livestream of the paper’s Facebook and Youtube pages. The debate begins at 7 p.m.
