Getting to know your local councillors: Stew Patterson – Ward One

By Mike Renzella

The Haldimand Press

JARVIS—Ward One Councillor Stewart Patterson has been on the job for less than a year, but has been involved in politics behind the scenes for most of his adult life.

After coming to Canada from Northern Ireland in 1974, Patterson settled in Jarvis, where he took up a job as a millwright at Stelco for 30 years. During that time, he began working for the Steelworkers Union: “It was the training through the Steelworkers and various positions held with the union and executive which really helped prepare me for the councillor role.”

In addition to his commitments to the union, Patterson also became involved with the Jarvis Lions Club in 1987, which offered him training on a broad range of topics. Politically, he began offering his services behind the scenes as a campaign manager during several local elections, both provincial and federal.

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Through this experience, he began to see challenges facing his community, and was not satisfied with the local representation, leading him to run for office himself.

“I believe all six wards are facing similar challenges. An example is attracting new businesses and development to our community. We have new residents in our area and we need to ensure that we have the facilities, programs, etc. available to them so that their needs are met within our municipality,” says Patterson. “Another challenge that the county faces, and one that I hear from many residents, is speeding on our roadways. This problem needs to be addressed with the help of our OPP and driving responsibly.”