While voter turnout may have been low this time around (under 40%), the enthusiasm of Collingwood’s newly elected councillors is high.
With the dust of the 2022 municipal election settling on the evening of Oct. 24, Yvonne Hamlin was elected mayor, Tim Fryer deputy mayor and seven councillors will fill out the Collingwood council chamber for the 2022-2026 term.
The seven councillors-elect are Kathy Jeffery (5,615 votes) Deb Doherty (5,350 votes), Brandon Houston (4,822 votes), Chris Potts (4,267 votes), Rob Ring (4,032 votes), Christopher Baines (3,854 votes) and Steve Perry (3,351).
Jeffery was the top candidate for council, receiving the most votes of any candidate.
“I’m really excited, because it’s really a validation of the hard work and inspires me for the next four years working with some new colleagues,” she said.
Jeffery said she’ll be able to lead by example through her experience chairing committees and her work ethic. She notes a change in the engagement of residents this election season.
“The amount of questions, surveys and people who stopped to talk to me... I really felt people wanted to know where I stood on things. That’s really important,” she said. “I hope residents continue to engage; by speaking to us, coming to meetings and telling us what’s on their minds.”
“That’s the way we can represent them best – if we hear from them,” she added.
Doherty is a seasoned election campaign veteran, having run four times over her political career so far.
“They’re a lot of hard work and you have a great opportunity to speak to constituents one-on-one. Sometimes you get feedback that might surprise you, or (aspects) you might have to work on during the next term of council,” she said.
“I’m very excited and grateful for the support,” said Doherty. “I am so looking forward to working with this council. We have some great newcomers on council and a nice balance of youth.”
One of the first orders of business for the new council will be the 2023 budget. A first draft is expected to come before the new council at the end of November.
“We’re looking at inflation rates of six per cent,” said Doherty. “That doesn’t mean taxes would go up six per cent, but it does say that council will be challenged to make sure we can come in with a responsible budget.”
Brandon Houston said he was feeling great following his win.
“I’m feeling amazing. A little overwhelmed by how much support I got – I wasn’t anticipating that,” said Houston. “I’m excited to get to work to do some good things.”
Houston owns the Collingwood Foundry. He said it can be a challenge sometimes to get younger people to run for council positions.
“I completely understand how sometimes it can be hard for younger individuals to run for council because of the time dedication. Many are running their own businesses or have other full-time jobs.”
“I don’t generally consider myself young. I’m 42,” he said with a laugh. “But, I guess I am younger than the regular demographic.”
Houston said he’s excited to get going on council priorities such as housing, but he’s particularly interested in improving communication at the council level with constituents.
“I see myself as a community builder. That’s why I started the Foundry, and that’s why I ran for council,” he said.
Chris Potts will also be a newcomer to council, after working for 13 years as a general labourer for the Town of Collingwood’s public works department.
“I’m overwhelmed by the community support,” said Potts. “It’s been a long couple of years for me and the way we campaigned and worked hard... I’m excited to get going.”
“I’m so passionate about Collingwood and growing up here...this is something I’ve always dreamed of doing but never had the opportunity until now,” he said.
Potts says one of the more unique things he’ll bring to the table will be a family perspective.
“The struggles people are facing; I’m living it everyday along with them. Now as a councillor, I can put that voice forward,” he said.
Rob Ring says he didn’t know what to expect coming out of this election. Only 39.68 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in Collingwood.
“I’m pleased I got elected. I was disappointed in the turnout, but that’s the way it is right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do.”
Ring points to homelessness in Collingwood as an issue at the top of his mind going into the term.
“It’s not just Collingwood, but it’s something we really have to deal with,” he said. “There are too many young people graduating in Collingwood and having to leave because they can’t afford to live in their hometown. It’s something we really have to address.”
Ring is a life-long Collingwood resident, which he considers a benefit.
“I’m looking forward to giving back to this town. I’ve never lived anywhere else and it’s given me so much, I think it’s my time to try to give back to my community,” he said.
Christopher Baines says he thinks his 23 years of experience as a mediator will serve him well on council.
“I’m certainly humbled and very pleased to have been elected,” said Baines. “I’d like to pay tribute to all the candidates who had the grit and commitment to seek a better future for our town, and kudos to all of them.”
Baines does foresee challenges for the new council.
“I think it’s going to be a challenging four years coming up with the way the economy is going and the scope of demands many are seeking,” he said. “It will be challenge to be able to deliver on all of those and still remain fiscally prudent.”
Steve Perry was out of town on election night due to a pre-booked vacation with his family, however, he paused his golf game to express his feelings about his win.
“It’s been crazy! My phone’s been going all night. I hardly slept,” said Perry, with a laugh. “It’s emotional. This was my first time (running).”
Perry won the seat by four votes, with Ian Chadwick receiving 3,347 votes to Perry’s 3,351.
As a political newbie, Perry says he’s excited to learn how the whole process of serving on council works, and how to work within that process to get things accomplished.
“I’m really looking forward to doing the research on the issues. I know how I feel about things, but how the process works, I’m not too sure,” he said. “I’m extremely excited about working with a team. I think it’s a good bunch of people.”
To read our story with election-night reactions from Collingwood’s mayor-elect Yvonne Hamlin and deputy mayor-elect Tim Fryer, click here.
