Wanting to get to know Kingsville’s municipal election candidates better? CTV asked them questions to give you some more insight into their platforms. Mayor Mary Ellen Havlik CTV News is awaiting a response. Roshan Nallaratnam CTV News is awaiting a response. Thomas Neufeld CTV News is awaiting a response. Dennis Rogers – Incumbent Why are you running for Mayor of Kingsville? I’m asking for another term because I believe in seeing things through. The decisions we’ve made over the past four years have positioned Kingsville for the future, and the next term will be about turning those decisions into results residents can see and feel. From getting critical infrastructure projects across the finish line to securing funding that has protected our taxpayers. There’s more to accomplish, and I’m committed to continuing that work. Now is our time to shape how we want our community to look. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the town and how would you address it? A growing community needs more than new homes and businesses — it needs the infrastructure to support them. Over the past four years, securing close to $20 million in funding has been a major step toward addressing Kingsville’s infrastructure needs. My focus now is on turning those dollars into completed projects, making sure our infrastructure can keep up with demand and ensuring we manage growth in a way that is financially sustainable for our taxpayers. Growth should strengthen Kingsville, not come at the expense of the people who already call it home. We still have some financial challenges ahead and that’s why our strong relationship with the province is so important as we continue to get provincial dollars re-invested back into our community. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? Priorities: Creating A task force comprised of residents, business owners, stakeholders, staff and 1-2 members of council. They will guide how the process goes, shape how the waterfront plan will look and will result in a detailed, costed plan that will be incorporated into a current or future budget, or put on the shelf as a shovel ready project for private investment or upper level government funding. Are we open for business? Customer service review of our Building and Planning departments to help remove any barriers and elevate our customer service to support our businesses. Create a task force with our BIA, business owners and residents to create a long term plan for design guidelines and sign bylaw for our downtown core, a long term tourism plan as well as resources needed to ensure the heart of our community is supported. Looking at our green spaces and what needs to be rejuvenated and a trail master plan to connect those spaces. What do we need in our recreation facilities to ensure we are meeting today’s and tomorrow’s needs. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I differ from the other candidates due to the strength and experience I have in the mayor’s office. We have accomplished a great deal this term and have done so with the trust of council and administration. We have built strong relationships within our community, Windsor/Essex and our provincial government. Building these relationships, earning trust and learning the job takes time. We have too many good things going to start over now. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? I promise that we will stick to the plan that we set four years ago. The path has been laid out. Will we check in and adjust the sails accordingly? Of course. Our community’s needs are ever changing, but we will do so with our residents involved and continue to staying committed to sustainable infrastructure and a long term vision for our beautiful town. Deputy Mayor Robert Brando CTV News is awaiting a response. Kimberly DeYong – Incumbent CTV News is awaiting a response. Councillor Janice Durocher CTV News is awaiting a response. Adam Edwards CTV News is awaiting a response. Tony Gaffan – Incumbent CTV News is awaiting a response. Stephen Higgins CTV News is awaiting a response. Sam Hrutka Why are you running for a council member of Kingsville? The reason I’m running for Kingsville councillor is there seems to be a disconnect between residents and council, many residents don’t feel their voices are being heard and I hope to improve this by bringing forward what residents want. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the town and how would you address it? I think the biggest issue facing our community today is current infrastructure and trying to address it in the most cost-effective way possible without having large tax increases, I would advocate for provincial and federal funding for any major projects before raising taxes or cutting services. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? My top priorities would be to return committees, so residents have a larger voice for community needs. Being an agricultural community we needs to improve our roads to accommodate today’s farm equipment. Also, we have many seniors we need to improve accessibility within our community. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? Coming from agriculture I bring a commonsense approach to make decisions in a most cost-effective manner. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? A promise I will make is I will listen to residents and small business owners. Debby Jarvis-Chausse – Incumbent Why are you running for a council member of Kingsville? I am running for council because I love Kingsville and feel that I have a strong understanding of the concerns and perspectives of many Kingsville constituents. I want to be a voice for the people of this community at the council table. What do you believe to be the most important issues facing the town and how would you address it? I feel one of the most important issues is the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and it needs to be happening sooner rather than later. I have been advocating for this to happen since being elected in 2022 as it was near capacity then. I know it is on the radar for the town, but it needs to be started ASAP. If elected what are your top three priorities during your first term? How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I have been on council for four years (am seeking re-election) so I have knowledge of the process and procedures at the council table already. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? I will always be honest, and I will always vote with the constituents’ best interest in my heart and mind. Sheri Lowrie – Incumbent Why are you running for council in Kingsville? I am running for re-election because I care deeply about this community and believe I still have important work to do. Kingsville is where I grew up, where I am raising my family, and where my parents have chosen to retire. It is also where I have invested my time through volunteering, sports, arts and culture, community organizations, and local events. Four years ago, I asked residents to trust me with the opportunity to serve. Since then, I have learned that municipal government is not about politics. It is about people. It is about the roads we drive on, the parks our children play in, the infrastructure that supports growth, the businesses that create jobs, and the decisions that shape everyday life in our community. My first term taught me that many of the challenges facing Kingsville cannot be solved in a single term of council. They require long-term planning, thoughtful investment, and a willingness to make difficult decisions. I am seeking re-election because I bring four years of experience, a strong work ethic, and a perspective shaped by being a working professional, a parent, a volunteer, and a resident. I understand the role better today than I did four years ago, and I believe that experience matters. Most importantly, I still love this community and remain committed to helping shape its future. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the town and how would you address it? The most important issue facing Kingsville over the next four years is infrastructure. Growth, housing, economic development, recreation, and quality of life all depend on having the infrastructure in place to support them. The wastewater capacity challenges in Ruthven and the future of our wastewater treatment infrastructure will be among the most significant decisions facing the next council. Residents in Ruthven deserve long-term solutions, residents near the wastewater treatment facility deserve answers regarding odour concerns, and future growth depends on our ability to provide adequate servicing capacity. My approach is simple; infrastructure must come first. These are the foundations that support everything else. I also recognize that municipalities cannot solve these challenges alone. Developers, the greenhouse sector, taxpayers, and provincial and federal governments all have a role to play in funding and supporting long-term solutions. One of the biggest lessons I learned during my first term is that infrastructure isn’t exciting until it fails. The next council will need to make thoughtful, informed decisions that protect existing residents while preparing for future growth. If we get the fundamentals right, we create the foundation for everything else our community wants to achieve. This is why infrastructure remains my top priority. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? My top three priorities would be: 1. Infrastructure FirstAddressing Ruthven’s wastewater capacity challenges and determining the future of our wastewater treatment infrastructure. Growth cannot happen responsibly unless roads, water, wastewater, and drainage systems can support it. 2. Establish a Youth Advisory CommitteeI want to create meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in local government, contribute ideas, develop leadership skills, and help shape the future of their community. 3. Develop a long-term waterfront strategyKingsville’s waterfront is one of our greatest assets. I support creating a clear roadmap that moves the conversation from ideas to implementation while balancing recreation, tourism, environmental stewardship, and community use. Underlying all three priorities is a commitment to being accessible, engaged, and responsive to residents while making thoughtful decisions that support the long-term future of Kingsville, Cottam, and Ruthven. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I don’t believe the biggest difference between candidates is their position on any single issue. Many of us want similar outcomes for our community. The difference is the perspective, experience, and life experiences we bring to the council table. I am a 44-year-old working professional who balances a full-time career at the University of Windsor, raising school-aged children, supporting parents who have chosen to retire in Kingsville, volunteering in the community, and serving on council. Those experiences give me a unique understanding of the challenges facing working families, young people, seniors, and community organizations. Through my role at the University of Windsor, I travel throughout Ontario meeting students, families, educators, and community leaders. I see firsthand what attracts people to communities and what keeps them there. I view Kingsville as one of the most desirable communities in Windsor-Essex and want to ensure we continue planning for that future. I also bring four years of municipal experience. During my first term, I took on more committees and community assignments than many of my colleagues because I wanted to learn, contribute, and better understand the issues facing our municipality. Most importantly, I bring a strong work ethic. I prepare. I ask questions. I listen. I do the homework. I show up. I may not always be the loudest voice at the table, but I will always be a thoughtful, prepared, and engaged one. That’s what I believe I bring to council, and that’s why I am asking residents for the opportunity to continue serving. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? One promise I am making is that I will remain accessible and responsive to residents. Over the last four years, the feedback I am most proud of receiving wasn’t about a particular vote, project, or initiative. It was when people would say: “You got back to me.” Residents won’t always agree with my decisions, and I won’t always be able to deliver the outcome someone is hoping for. However, I believe every resident deserves a response, an explanation, and the opportunity to be heard. If re-elected, voters can hold me accountable for continuing to answer emails, return phone calls, meet with residents, explain my decisions, and remain engaged in the community. At the end of the next term, I want residents to be able to say Sheri showed up, Sheri listened, Sheri responded. That is a promise I can make, and one that voters can absolutely hold me accountable for in four years. John Musselman Why are you running for a council member of Kingsville? Kingsville is and will be facing many challenges as it deals with its ongoing growth. Council needs people who will listen before they decide, respect different viewpoints, and consider both the opportunities and long-term impact of every decision. I believe I have the experience, judgement, and commitment to represent the people of Kingsville with integrity. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the town and how would you address it? Water and wastewater infrastructure concerns are the most important issue facing the town. Residential and greenhouse growth has been halted because of an at-capacity wastewater system. The funding solution for increasing the system’s capacity must be found. The town has introduced interim land-use controls, infrastructure engineering upgrades, and regulatory bylaws, but infrastructure upgrades were temporarily paused as the town awaits court direction regarding a legal challenge brought by the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. I support the current town efforts in this matter. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? First, improving communication between residents and council. Residents should have meaningful opportunities to provide input before important decisions are made, and they should be able to clearly understand how and why those decisions were reached. Improving lines of communication between residents and council should be an ongoing process no single solution will likely solve the problem. I propose reinstating some form of the resident advisory committees that were abolished in 2021 to help reconnect direct resident input. I would also like to re-examine the timelines between when new bylaws are proposed and when council votes on them. There should be sufficient time for resident feedback and for council to consider what they hear before a vote is cast. Second, addressing the development of large data centres. I believe Kingsville needs bylaws and planning policies that address these facilities and the impacts they can have on surrounding communities and municipal infrastructure. The sooner we have bylaws that specifically deal with large data centres, the less likely they will get a foothold in our town. If required, I would pursue the passing of an interim control bylaw that would prohibit the building of these facilities. Third, water and wastewater. As Kingsville continues to grow, we need to address our water and wastewater infrastructure responsibly and plan for the long term. Growth needs to be supported by infrastructure that can handle it. Existing wastewater concerns also need attention. The legal action brought by OGVG against the town’s wastewater control bylaws awaits resolution and it will be difficult to move forward until a decision is rendered. My position is that growth should pay for growth. I also support the current town approach to limit wastewater volumes and mandate off-peak discharge times. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I distinguish myself from the other town councillor candidates in several ways: My unique professional background in both education and small business, my approach to policy evaluation through at-source research and community consultation, and my community experience with the Kingsville Highland Games that has involved direct event organization and execution. I am also the only candidate who is focussing on communication between residents and council AND has proposed specific measures to do so. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? The one promise I have made to all residents is that I WILL LISTEN. Communication between residents and council is imperative and I will expect the electorate to hold me to this promise. Rina Testa-Plancke Why are you running for a seat on council in Kingsville? I am running for a seat on Kingsville Council because I care deeply about our community and its future. I am committed to responsible financial stewardship by distinguishing between needs and wants, ensuring value for every tax dollar, and making thoughtful spending decisions. I also want to bolster support for local businesses, invest in welcoming public spaces, and ensure essential services meaningfully improve residents’ lives. Above all, I will work to foster an accessible and transparent council that listens to residents and encourages meaningful public input. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the town and how would you address it? Infrastructure: To support long-term economic stability and community well-being, we must address the existing infrastructure deficit before taking on new expansion. Once baseline systems are restored to full health, targeted capital investments can be directed toward upgrading capacity —ensuring that future growth remains both environmentally sustainable and fiscally responsible. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? 1. Uncompromising fiscal responsibility Municipal governance requires strict stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Every budget decision must be guided by fundamental questions: Do we truly need this? Can our community afford it? Is there a more cost-effective way to deliver results? This can be delivered by: 2. Strategic community focus and economic growth A vibrant municipality balances smart local investment with sustainable economic planning to build a resilient, self-sustaining tax base. We can obtain this by: 3. Public participation Council serves at the pleasure of the residents. Trust is earned through open doors, clear communication, and an unwavering commitment to public accountability, which should include: How do you differ from your fellow candidates? First, I have been following Kingsville politics for the better part of 25 years. I know where we’ve been, where we are, and how we got here. My background in education and advocacy means I understand community needs firsthand. I combine compassion for frontline services with an uncompromising focus on fiscal discipline, smart infrastructure, and local business growth. I know where public dollars meet daily life in schools, services and facilities, and capital projects. I will ask where every dollar goes before raising taxes. I favour pro-business policies and infrastructure investment that expand the commercial tax base, reducing the burden on residential taxpayers. As a fresh candidate running for an open seat, I bring no political baggage or backroom ties: Just a clear focus on getting core municipal services right. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? One promise. I will be present, available and responsive. It’s how I work in my job and it’s what I will offer to the residents. I will listen to their needs and will bring their voice to the council table. In four years, everyone will agree on this. I cannot promise that everyone will receive the outcome they desire but I can promise to listen. These responses have been edited grammatically only.
