I am a life-long resident of the area. North Stormont has been a great place for my wife Susan and I to raise our three daughters, Erika, Bridgit and Sydney.
I have been working for the land surveying firm Annis, O’Sullivan, Vollebekk for the last 35 years. This shows commitment.
For 30 years I was an active member of the North Stormont Fire Service (Crysler Station) and I continue to be a lifelong volunteer on various recreational committees. That shows dedication.
I’m on the SD&G County Library Board, Chairman of the Committee of Adjustment as well as an active member of the North Stormont Fire Services Committee overseeing the safety and well-being of our communities. I was also a Board member of the South Nation Conservation Authority for 4 years. This shows engagement.
I am very proud to have served you for the past 8 years on the North Stormont Township Council – 4 years as Councillor and 4 years as Deputy-Mayor. This experience has given me the tools to learn the ropes under great leadership.
As your Deputy Mayor, I was instrumental in gaining the council’s support of two major projects that were due to be completed, the new Moose Creek Recreation Centre replacing the old that one was closed due to health and safety concerns and the much-needed Crysler Fire Station which replaces the existing almost 50 years old facility.
I was at the table and a major contributor during the negotiations with GFL Environmental, EDP Renewables Community Fund and the Road User agreement. These three agreements were negotiated in good faith regardless of diverse opinions and will provide community funds into North Stormont for the next 20 years, to ensure our future generations are taken care of.
I understand that no one wants higher taxes – the funds from these agreements that I assisted with the negotiations will help maintain your tax levels, which are at the lowest rate in SD&G.
This position provided me the opportunity to represent you as a councillor at the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry table. This allowed me to vote and advocate for county services that personally affected my fellow residents.
Mental health is an overlooked need in rural communities, and when the opportunity to support the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) came up I knew I needed to support it. This team provides early intervention for those who need it, including a mental health nurse riding along with police officers.
Another initiative that is very important to me, is responding to the needs of the Tri-county’s aging population. I supported the motion tabled for funding of over $6 million dollars to support two long-term facilities, Maxville Manor and Dundas Manor, providing assurances that their incredibly important services will be available for generations to come.
When the discussions of road improvements were brought forward, I knew some of our county roads needed more help than others. Maintaining our roads is an important task that requires a lot of planning, and with several options presented, I advocated for the re-construction project of County Road 22 (Dyer Road) which was approved to happen in the coming year.
During my 4 years as your Deputy Mayor this township has made great strides, even during these difficult past few years. My integrity and dedication to you never waivered – working together with our hardworking township staff we have received grants and donations in the range of $3 million dollars, every penny going back into our township.
Results from the 2021 census report show that North Stormont has the highest growth and lowest tax rate in all of the three United Counties. I want to keep that record for you as your Mayor.
On October 24, I know I can count on you to vote for Francois Landry as Mayor of North Stormont. My commitment to you will not change: I will listen to you, I will address the challenges that arise with sound decision making, passion and dedication, not only as Mayor but as your neighbor living in this amazing township. I know that if we work together, we can maintain community growth and bring commercial opportunities to better serve us, the residents of North Stormont Township, and this engagement will continue to make North Stormont a great place for future generations.
TOGETHER, WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN
Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.