Rachael Prinzen
SOPHIASBURGH WARD 6 Rachael Prinzen says keeping the County affordable starts with asking harder questions about how municipal dollars are spent. The Sophiasburgh council candidate and school board trustee ranks value for taxpayers first among her priorities, followed by limiting tax increases and improving roads and essential infrastructure. “As a school board trustee, former Vice- Chair and Audit Committee Chair, I have demonstrated that I will do the homework, scrutinize the use of tax dollars and ask difficult questions—even when it is uncomfortable.” Born and raised in Prince Edward County, Prinzen describes herself as a 10th-generation County resident. She attended Pinecrest […]
Kane Rutgers
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 While Kane Rutgers admits the next Council may not be able to lower taxes for County residents, he says he will push for holding the line. “It will be imperative to maintain our taxes as everyone right now is in such a vulnerable state,” says the Ward 2 candidate who adds: “I believe working to maximize and best utilize the $100 million spent each year will take care of improving assets such as roads and other infrastructure.” But he draws the line at selling County assets, noting: “[That’s] a dangerous avenue. While I see the possible benefits to […]
Geoff Heinricks
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 Geoff Heinricks says Prince Edward County needs to bring spending and debt under control, reconsider its growth expectations and focus on the needs of the people who already live and work here. The Bloomfield–Hallowell candidate identifies the affordability of municipal government as the biggest challenge facing the next council. Getting the County’s finances in order, he says, would allow residents and their representatives to focus on the community’s future. “Getting spending, debt, and the affordability of government in line, so we can properly focus on what we desire and wish to become as a community.” Heinricks opposes selling […]
Siobhan Harrison
NORTH MARYSBURGH WARD 8 Siobhan Harrison says she is running for council to ensure that the County is a thriving place that people of all income levels can afford to call home for generations to come. “I believe we need practical, responsible and forward-thinking leadership, with a focus on making the most of every taxpayer dollar while protecting the rural character of our community,” says the longtime North Marysburgh resident who now lives in Picton. “I have long-standing relationships there, understand the rural character and the issues that matter to residents. My family also has deep roots in North Marysburgh, with […]
Andreas Bolik
AMELIASBURGH WARD 4 A former County councillor, Andreas Bolik says his return to local politics has been motivated by a desire to serve his community with no private agenda, particular dogma or political creed. “I do believe in getting the facts, applying common sense and critical thinking and finding a ‘big-picture’ solution, even if it is ‘outside the box’,” says Mr. Bolik, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for almost 45 years before being elected to Council in 2018. Work and family commitments forced him to leave Council in 2022, but he points out, “I am now retired and am […]
Victor Lind
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 Ward 2 candidate Victor Lind believes that a critical issue for the next Council is getting full value for tax dollars. “Certain items in the budget are necessary, like road maintenance,” he says. “But not all roads need to be or can be maintained to the same service level. We have something like over 1,000 kilometres of roads in the County and we as a Council will need to be vigilant that a fair and reasonable system is in place as budgets are reviewed. Road infrastructure remains the single largest expense for the County.” On the issue of […]
William “Swamp” Thing
SWAMP COLLEGE WARD 10 While Britain had Count Binface run in a recent byelection, the County now has its own spoof candidate: William “Swamp” Thing. “I am living proof that whatever humankind needs, the swamp can provide,” he states. “This is why one of my campaign priorities is ‘LESS CITY MORE SWAMPY’.” The Swamp College Road resident is not on the official ballot, but he does take a soggy stand on most political issues. For example, Mr. Thing offers an 18-point plan for the controversial Wellington waterworks that would involve drilling 18 holes in the existing pipeline to create— you guessed […]
Tracey Stevens
NORTH MARYSBURGH WARD 8 When Tracey Stevens meets voters across the County, she often hears that residents feel decisions at Shire Hall are made without consultation with taxpayers. “The biggest challenge facing the next Council is restoring trust between ratepayers and Shire Hall,” the Ward 8 candidate says, adding that rebuilding that trust should involve community input on major decisions, a clear view of the budget process and firm rules on growth. “Trust is earned through consistent behaviour, not promised in a campaign. That’s the standard I’ll hold myself to.” Ms. Stevens has more than 20 years of corporate experience, including […]
Bill Roberts
SOPHIASBURGH WARD 6 As the incumbent councillor in Sophiasburgh, Bill Roberts says he is well versed in local issues, but never loses sight of the big picture. “Our country is at its most crucial and consequential moment in history. Our political, economic and technology sovereignty are under attack,” he says. “These aren’t normal times; serious challenges deserve serious leadership.” Pointing to his experience in managing largebudget organizations like TVOntario and VisionTV, he says, “I’m an optimist by nature, preferring to nudge people together rather than driving them apart. … For example, within living memory, PEC had the highest social assistance percentage […]
Megan Hutton
SOPHIASBURGH WARD 6 Lifelong County resident Megan Hutton says she is running for Council to give Sophiasburgh a new option at the table, someone who will hold the budget to account. “I don’t simply mean cutting spending,” she says. “I mean looking at where our money is going and asking: Is it working? Are residents experiencing the benefit? Is there a better or more efficient way to do it? And are we making decisions today that are going to cost us much more tomorrow?” An award-winning musician and playwright who is also an entrepreneur and educator, Ms. Hutton says looking for […]