CAYUGA—Four candidates have stepped forward to throw their hat in the ring for Ward 2, which spans Cayuga, Fisherville, Selkirk, and Kohler, and is home to Haldimand County’s administration building.
This councillor seat has been filled by returning candidate John Metcalfe since 2018.
The four candidates represent a doubling of the 2022 election, which saw Metcalfe best returning competitor Paul Beauvais by a count of 1,502 to 716 votes.
The Press is asking each councillor candidate the same three questions, with one ward profile to be completed per week. See past profiles at haldimandpress.com.
Why are you running for Council and what relevant experiences or skills will assist you in this role?
William Allen:
“I’m not running to be above the community. I’m running to be part of it. I’ve lived in Ward 2 for 21 years. I see and hear often the concerns of the residents. As a result, I began the Community Watch Program in Selkirk to bring residents together to hear their concerns about their safety, their concerns about their property and theft, and bring awareness to the community on how to work together with the help of the OPP and each other to make our community a safe place to live, raise their families, and operate small businesses.”
Paul Beauvais:
“The last time I ran against (Metcalfe) was because somebody he knew, he never got in touch with him for a year and a half. You can’t do stuff like that. And I have a feeling it’s just the same thing over and over again when I see what’s happening, or not happening, in Ward 2…. The more people that are in the contest, the less votes are going towards him. We need a change.”
Bruce Mehlenbacher:
“I am running for Ward 2 Councillor because I care deeply about Haldimand County and believe experience, accessibility, and common sense matter at the Council table. Throughout my career, I have built businesses, managed major events, and worked with community leaders, government officials, first responders, organizations, and volunteers. Those experiences taught me how to bring people together, work through challenges, create opportunities and, most importantly, listen. I believe leadership is about earning trust, treating people with respect, being accessible, following through, and getting results for the people you represent.”
John Metcalfe:
“I’m running because I have the experience from the past eight years to navigate the future. My skills would be the ability to work together with people and groups to get the best outcome for the county. (Having been vice chair of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the chair since 2025), the conservation authorities have been through many changes and as chair (I) was able to guide the board.”
What do you consider to be the top priority for Haldimand County as a whole, and what specific ideas do you have to address that need?
William Allen: “One of the top priorities facing Haldimand County is responsible growth and development while maintaining our farmlands, protecting our rural character, ensuring our infrastructure and services keep pace with growth.”
Paul Beauvais: “Well, the shape of our roads. They’re falling apart. They haven’t really been addressed. They’re not repaired properly. Road safety in town hasn’t had anything done in eight years. Affordable housing. We need to change the bylaw to make for smaller homes for retirees, single-story floors, and then just sort of watch our dollars and what’s going on.”
Bruce Mehlenbacher: “Haldimand County’s top priority must be making responsible decisions today while planning carefully for tomorrow. Council needs to distinguish between what we need and what we would simply like to have, just as families and businesses do every day. That means setting clear priorities, controlling unnecessary spending, and ensuring growth is supported by the roads, water, wastewater, emergency services, and other infrastructure it requires, without placing an unreasonable long-term burden on taxpayers.
“We also need to protect our farmland and quality of life while strengthening our local economy, supporting existing businesses and attracting appropriate new investment that expands our assessment base and creates opportunities here at home.”
John Metcalfe: “The top priority of every resident, getting the best out of their tax dollars. Infrastructure, roads specifically, being maintained and repaired in a timely matter…. Working with roads and engineering, keeping on top of issues before they become a major crisis. Airbnbs have become a larger issue recently. Working with the County’s bylaw and licensing division, to possibly licence short term rentals, as in other municipalities.”
What are the most important issues facing your ward, and what specific actions would you hope to take to address them if elected?
William Allen: “If I have the privilege and the trust of being elected Ward 2 councilman, I will work and listen to our community, our neighbours, our small businesses, and bring clear communication, accountability, and respect to each of them. I will be the voice of our community.”
Paul Beauvais: “(The roads are) falling apart. Lakeshore, Kohler Road…. We need somebody that’s going to be out in the ward, not sitting at home or just going to meetings and showing up when he has to…. If I’m elected, I will reinvest one-third of my salary back into the county, and that’s not just a promise; it will be a guarantee in writing. Basically, the two hospitals and Cayuga Food Bank would get $5,000 a year for each year I’m in. Then Selkirk, Fisherville, Cayuga, and South Cayuga Fire Hall would get $1,000 a year. And Haldimand hospice would get $1,000 a year.”
Bruce Mehlenbacher: “Ward 2’s rural communities, agriculture, and small businesses are fundamental to who we are. Roads, drainage, traffic and road safety, responsible development, and protecting our agricultural community all require attention. I believe a councillor needs to be visible, accessible, and engaged throughout the community. I will listen to residents, farmers, and business owners, take their concerns directly to County staff and Council, and follow up until they receive an answer. Residents deserve more than acknowledgement of a problem. They deserve communication, accountability, and a councillor who will work persistently to find solutions. That’s the kind of councillor I intend to be.”
John Metcalfe: “The JL Mitchener property purchase for a new recreational area; a multi-use court, skate park, and other amenities the residents would like to see created. I’m very excited to see that project through the next term of Council.”
Stay tuned to next week’s Press for a closer look at the candidates in Ward 3.
