HAGERSVILLE—Jesse Little believes accountability and transparency are lacking in Haldimand County’s current administration.
The upcoming Ward 4 byelection marks Little’s second attempt to sit at the Council table following a bid in 2022. Little was first prompted to run after several years of personal conflict with Haldimand County over an administrative error in 2018 that marked Little as guilty of a provincial driving offence before the hearing. While the records were eventually corrected, Little has continued to protest publicly and seek further restitution from Haldimand; this ultimately led to his removal from the County Administration Building last August, when he was charged with two counts of mischief that are the subject of an upcoming court hearing.
Little is running again to “offer the public a higher standard of representation in a respectful, impartial, and selfless manner,” asserting low voter turnouts in previous municipal elections is a “vote of non-confidence by the public.”
A lifelong Haldimand resident, Little is no stranger to working with his hands, including farm work, equipment operation, and CNC machining for positions ranging from worker to manager.
“No matter what the position or the industry, it is always about people and relationships,” said Little. “Positive relationships require mutual engagement with effective communication, respect, consideration for alternative perspectives, and efficient conflict resolution.”
The top three issues facing the ward from Little’s perspective are:
- Transparency and accountability of the County/Council
- Responsible development
- Infrastructure management/maintenance
He sees “establishing the grounds for a positive relationship with the public and staff” as the key to addressing all three, advocating for “open communication with full transparency and timely community engagement,” and promising to increase “discretionary reviews allowing the public the ability to be informed and to review matters with adequate time to voice their concerns and ideas.”
On development in Hagersville, Little said he would approach the subject impartially “with due diligence of the facts/concerns, increased community involvement with representation of their concerns/ideas, and assuring legislative compliance.”
He believes a councillor’s role is built around “protecting and improving resources of public interest, public health and safety, and the quality of the natural environment,” and sees an opportunity to engage with the public and professionals to address pressing infrastructure issues before “proceeding in an efficient and responsible manner that is mutually beneficial to the community.”
He is concerned with infrastructure issues facing Ward 4’s rural areas, such as road maintenance and drainage.
“There are flooding concerns outside of the urban area due to water drainage issues and concerns of costs being forced directly onto the constituent,” said Little, again advocating for open communication and collaboration with experts.
On the issue of business and job growth, Little said that creating a “clean, vibrant, and healthy” community that is desirable to both businesses and customers is key.
“This will also attract doctors who want a nice community to live in and work in,” to be done through effective planning and “utilizing our vast natural resources in an efficient/responsible manner to promote and provide healthy living and recreation.”
Little noted “increased statistics of poor health due to a less active society (cars)” and a need “to improve our trail systems and outdoor areas to promote recreation with alternative transportation (bicycle, walking, scooter, etc.) with a healthy enjoyment of nature that is proven in studies to reduce stress and benefit your total health.”
Little called Ward 4’s Indigenous neighbours in Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First nation “brothers/sisters and our allies.”
Effective communication and “respectful consideration of concerns or ideas are necessary to the relationship,” said Little. “Working together benefits all our communities’ interests for a better future. With good relationships, a positive attitude, and smart work, anything is possible.”
As for why voters should vote for him, he concluded, “I have been engaged in Council, participating as a delegate on multiple matters of concern, such as removing barriers for accountability and transparency…. I am offering my name on the ballot to provide my service of impartial, accountable, and effective representation for the Ward 4 constituents with 100% of my dedication…. This is not a side venture for me. I am running because I care. A Little vote goes a long way.”
He encouraged the public to contact him with any concerns or ideas by email at
vote4change111@protonmail.com. He will also be in attendances at the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce Ward 4 debate scheduled for Thursday, March 27.
