Grey Highlands deputy mayor elected rural AMO director

Grey Highlands Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen has been elected a director for the rural caucus for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

Nielsen attended the AMO annual conference in Ottawa from August 18 to 21 and at the event he sought a position on the rural caucus for the organization. AMO is an organization representing Ontario’s 444 local municipalities with a mandate to support and enhance strong municipal government in Ontario.

“It’s pretty exciting. It is a way for rural municipalities to lobby the provincial government for the things we need,” Nielsen said in an interview after the conference.

Nielsen said there were nine candidates for four spots on the caucus and he was able to top the polls.

“It was quite the experience,” he said, noting that each candidate gave a speech at the rural caucus luncheon. 

Though he found it embarrassing to give a speech about himself, he said his speech later received praise and compliments from Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, who was present at the event.

“I made an impression with the minister, which is a good start,” said Nielsen, who is serving his second term on Grey Highlands council and his first as deputy mayor.

Grey Highlands did not have any delegations with provincial ministers, but Nielsen participated in three Grey County meetings with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Rural Affairs.

Nielsen will serve in the AMO position for two years and his election also gives him a board position with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).

Nielsen said Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen, who served many years on AMO’s board, encouraged him to seek the position. He also said it was exciting to see Southgate Deputy Mayor and fellow county councillor Barb Dobreen elected to the AMO county caucus.

Nielsen said he intends to reach out to all Grey County CAOs for a conversation about local priorities and would also be polling his colleagues on county council for their thoughts.

“I have an opportunity to spread the rural message,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to elevate the voices for Grey County and for rural municipalities in general. It’s prime time to be in this position.”