By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—With former Ward 4 Councillor Natalie Stam’s recent resignation, Tony Dalimonte is hoping voters consider putting him back into the seat he lost to Stam just over half a year ago.
A lifelong Hagersville resident, Dalimonte raised his family there while putting in 35 years with Stelco Lake Erie Works’ finance/accounting department in Nanticoke. He has 20 years under his belt as Ward 4 councillor, has chaired all of Haldimand’s standing committees, served several terms with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, and had two years as deputy mayor during the last term of Council.
His history of community involvement includes the local Lion’s Club and BIA over the years, and a current stint as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, an associate member of the Hagersvile Legion, and a member of the Canfield Community Centre Hall Board.
Tony Dalimonte
He is also still serving as chair of the community fundraising committee for the in-development Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, raising $1.5 million to date for the project he helped spearhead as a councillor.
“The $10.4 million multipurpose, multifunctional facility will be a significant asset for all Ward 4 and Hagersville area residents as the community continues to grow…. (It’s) a model for similar projects in the future,” said Dalimonte, listing benefits such as a state-of-the-art library, which will include ample space for children’s and senior’s programming, in addition to full-size basketball, badminton, and pickleball courts in the activity centre, which will also double as a community centre with a full-size commercial kitchen.
Dalimonte ensures he will see the project through to completion on time, noting he would ask staff to appoint a project manager and to prepare a “step-by-step chart showing a critical path forward.”
He commented on some of the other issues he would focus on if re-elected, “There is a need to develop a traffic management strategy…. Truck traffic continues to use non-truck routes in our rural areas and residential streets … (and) police enforcement is required.”
He said he would push to create new affordable and seniors housing by “building off the County’s 2021 Housing Master Plan and incorporating policies into the official plan.”
Expanding on the rise in development in the ward, specifically Hagersville’s urban area, Dalimonte vowed to work with staff and Council to complete a master servicing plan that addresses all relevant concerns, including water, stormwater, and traffic flow.
He pledged to push for a 10-year capital plan to create new recreational amenities, listing “trails, soccer fields, new playground equipment, and other passive sports infrastructure” that will “enhance the quality of life for all residents.”
He also plans to lobby the Ontario government on behalf of local farmers for the “preservation of farmland and farmers’ right to farm.”
On the Nanticoke MZO matter, Dalimonte re-stated his conflict of interest as a retired Stelco employee who stands to benefit financially from the sale of the lands and withheld comment due to this conflict.
He did, however, comment on the proposed Sandusk Community development, another Empire Communities driven project that would see up to 951 new units on 77.7 hectares of land adjacent to the Hagersville quarry lands. He called the project “a very positive, well-thought-out development that … makes use of quarry-type lands, which are an eyesore in our community.” He believes the development will attract new residents, support existing businesses and attract new ones as well.
Dalimonte hopes voters will consider him on June 19, banking on his deep amount of experience and lifelong connection to the community, in addition to his previous accomplishments as councillor, which include an active role in the construction of two firehalls in his ward and the completion of projects such as the splash pad and skate park, in collaboration with the Lions.
“I have the passion, energy, and time to do the job effectively and I am always accessible,” he concluded. “Being a councillor is more than just attending meetings and answering calls. It’s about having a vision for your community and working hard with County staff, Council, and community groups to achieve that vision.”
Note: The Haldimand Press will provide a profile of all five by-election candidates in the coming weeks.
