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Bill Shaw
I threw myself into municipal politics to follow through on my late wife Cathy’s vision for the township, which has now become mine. To have a home where emergency health concerns receive a rapid response, our own paramedic base. Where regular medical care is available to everyone, attracting more medical practitioners. Work is progressing, and I want to follow these programs to completion. Good Health makes a community “Home”.
I am a willing listener to as many sides to a discussion as can add to it, but decisive when needed. From an Engineering background, I view issues and recognize the technical aspects of a situation and evaluate them, so I can make decisions that are in the best interest of our community.
I believe in keeping Cavan-Monaghan township complete. This includes economic development with better paying jobs that will allow youth to stay locally. New residential building that includes affordable and attainable housing for young families as well as seniors looking to downsize and stay in the community. Addressing agricultural concerns helps maintain our sense of rural community.
Good roads and improved facilities are the backbone of every great municipality. Cavan is progressing well on this front with construction on a new fire hall with Ambulance bays, municipal office improvements and new buildings for road maintenance. I intend to keep the momentum going as budgets allow. Juniors are a priority too; playground facilities need to be safe, convenient and fun.
We can do our part to make a difference in global issues such as climate change. An involved council works with employers and residents to shape a “whole” community and keep our rural feel.
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Valerie Kent
For over seven years, I have been a resident of Ward 2. I am running for Councillor in Cavan-Monaghan to give back to my community and make a difference.
By profession, I am a teacher, working artist and former owner of the Cavan Art Gallery and Academy, a language school and a restaurant.
I returned to the classroom to work in the school system after teaching at universities and colleges.
With a deep respect for our community’s agriculture roots and business needs, I support enhanced agri-tourism and programs that train and create jobs. It is my belief that these are cornerstones of attracting investment to Cavan-Monaghan that will ensure a sustainable local economy.
A conservationist, I have sat on the Board of a local naturalist society, to contribute to being a steward of our local environment and to do our part to meet our climate change objectives.
Development means building diverse housing types and attracting and retaining businesses and industry. Agriculture is a necessary component of any plans when charting the future. I believe in well-managed change and that a thoughtful balance is needed.
Municipalities are the first in line in the protection of the environment. I encourage the need to monitor and advocate that protection.
Cavan-Monaghan is a remarkable place to live and we must celebrate access to recreation, sports, arts, the library and the outdoors, each in our own way. This is the Cavan-Monaghan lifestyle.
The essential services I feel must be maintained: safety (health, fire and policing) good roads, bridges, water, wastewater management, the community center, parks and recreation, the library and protecting the natural environment.
If elected, I will actively work for our community to ensure it continues to be one of the best places to live in Ontario.
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Janet Heeringa
My name is Janet Heeringa, and I am running for councilor in ward 2. I am a lifelong resident of Cavan-Monaghan Township with deep roots in the agriculture community after running a family dairy farm for 20+ years. I have taken a different direction as a licensed Paralegal, through which I have gained valuable knowledge of legislation and how it applies to the community. With this knowledge, I wish to serve my community as best I can for today and the township’s future.
Currently, one of the topics within our Township is the use of ORVs on township roads. As side-by-side off-road vehicles are currently legal on the roads and require laws enacted for safety, various other ORVs should be required to follow and maintain those same or similar laws with enforcement key in high-use areas.
Supporting our Agriculture community is crucial; land use within this township has become more of an issue as severance laws limit various benefits and severance of agricultural lands for generational or family use.
Annexation of any township lands, including the airport, is not a positive step forward for Cavan-Monaghan; therefore, any future development should remain within Cavan-Monaghan township.
Finally, in these post-pandemic times, a lot has changed regarding the dynamics and financials of our residents. This also includes how residents view Township spending and what is vital to the township’s financial resources. Responsible fiscal expenditure on the part of our Council is critical for these next four years to help our residents recover financially, physically, and mentally.
Editor’s note: It is in fact illegal to operate side-by-side off-road vehicles in the township. KG
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Gerry Byrne
I actually live in and own property in Cavan so like most residents of Cavan ward 2 , the doubling of property taxes over the last 12 years is a big issue.
I feel the long agricultural history of our great township along with the small town look is paramount to maintain. Along with that rural culture is freedom to responsibly ride ATV’s on the roads.
The plans to build four-story or higher apartment buildings north of Fallis line is going to deteriorate the look of Millbrook even more.
There is no reason for Cavan-Monaghan to let Peterborough have any of our township.
The high water bills in Millbrook are the result of the planning that was implemented in the last 10 years and should not be passed on to the entire township who maintain their own septic systems and are worried that further development will ruin their wells that they will have to pay for .
