Phillip Blancher, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Morrisburg Leader

WINCHESTER – Infrastructure, responsible growth, and financial sustainability are central issues identified by three of the candidates seeking seats on North Dundas council later this month.  

Three candidates, Jordan Hodge, Matthew Uhrig, and Cory Houle, responded to election questions from The Leader. Four candidates: Michael Erickson, Peter Guy, Edgar Ramirez Aguilar, and Gerald Jaquemet, did not respond. 

The three respondents identified similar themes for this election, but each have their own approaches to addressing the challenges the next council faces.

Candidates were asked about their backgrounds, the three most pressing issues in North Dundas, infrastructure funding, how to create opportunities, and what would they have handled differently in the 2022-26 term. 

Three candidates, three backgrounds

Hodge is a lifelong North Dundas resident from Mountain Township. The 44-year old has worked in, and since 2002 owned, an IT repair business serving eastern Ontario. He has spent 15 years volunteering in the community and is currently president of the Winchester Hawks Jr. B hockey club, and vice-president of the Chesterville Lions Club.

“I’m running to bring practical and transparent leadership to our township,” he said. 

Uhrig is the only incumbent councillor running for re-election. Before entering politics, he was the editor of the Winchester Press, which gave him an opportunity to cover municipal government and the community from a journalist’s perspective. He said that experience helped him understand the different responsibilities and limitations of municipal government.

Outside of council, Uhrig coaches baseball and is involved with his daughter’s soccer activities. Those experiences reinforced the importance of recreation facilities and community spaces.

Houle moved to Winchester with his family in 2015 and said North Dundas has become home. 

His background is in business development and sales, mainly in construction, engineering and technology. Houle has been involved with the North Dundas Fire Service, the Winchester Fire Association, minor sports, local events and operates a local business with his wife.

“I’m running because I love this community and want to bring a practical, accountable, and community-focused perspective to council, he said. 

Infrastructure and growth

Infrastructure is a common concern for all three candidates with roads, water and wastewater, bridges and drainage issues appearing throughout their responses.

Hodge said his first priority would be to establish a predictable, long-term financial road map to address what he described as deteriorating infrastructure before the financial pressure the municipality is facing increases.

He said growth must be managed so that major residential projects pay their share of the capital costs with development, rather than shifting those costs to current ratepayers.

Uhrig placed responsible financial management at the top of his priority list, saying that council has to balance service levels with the impact of taxes and user fees.

“Every dollar spent should deliver clear value,” Uhrig said adding that council should regularly review spending to identify efficiencies and maximize any outside funding opportunities. Sustainable economic development and infrastructure are priorities for Uhrig too, and echoed by Houle.

Houle said north dundas has significant infrastructure needs. 

“Necessary spending isn’t bad spending, but we need to constantly ask whether we are getting the best value for taxpayers and clearly communicate where their money is going,” Houle said.

All three candidates connected growth to the municipality’s ability to pay for infrastructure.

Hodge said developers need to carry more of the cost associated with new development. Uhrig sees economic development and employment as ways to broaden the tax base. Houle believes appropriate residential and business development can strengthen municipal finances ­— all while maintaining North Dundas’ rural character.

Who pays for infrastructure?

The candidates offered different approaches on how to finance North Dundas’ infrastructure needs. 

Hodge said the municipality needs to correct what he considers problems with its internal practices. He pointed to municipal development charges that are scheduled to be renewed in 2027. Hodge said he would push for corporate developers to pay for 100 per cent of their infrastructure footprint.

“Growth must pay for growth,” Hodge added. 

He proposes using milestone-based procurement contracts with taxpayer funds not released until a contractor’s work has been verified on-site. Hodge also supports joint-tendering with area municipalities 

Uhrig has a broader approach with long-term financial planning, and the use of evidence to prepare for infrastructure projects.

He said North Dundas needs current engineering, environmental, drainage, transportation, and growth studies to accurately identify current and future infrastructure needs.

Those studies would also strengthen applications for provincial and federal funding by providing evidence of the need for investment. He said some decisions were postponed previously because that work was not done.

“The result has been growing infrastructure pressures and tax increases that are increasingly difficult to sustain with the current population base,” he said.

Houle said the township needs a multi-source approach that combines senior-government funding with development-related tools, reserves, capital planning and user-pay models where appropriate.

“I believe we need a multi-source approach, rather than expecting property taxes to carry the entire burden,” Houle said.

He added that council should have clear infrastructure priorities and a funding plan attached to each, avoiding decision making when infrastructure issues reach a crisis point.

Creating opportunity

The candidates also differ in how they define what is needed to create opportunity in North Dundas.

For Hodge, the starting point is basic infrastructure explaining that poor roads and slow ditch clearing affect farmers and damage vehicles.  He wants a five-year plan focused on fixing the underlying condition of roads rather than relying on temporary repairs.

“Opportunity starts with the basics,” Hodge said.

Uhrig has a broader approach for economic development saying that North Dundas has advantages in Eastern Ontario.

The municipality should continue attracting and retaining businesses, he said, while maintaining regular contact with local business owners, agricultural operators and other stakeholders.

Uhrig also connected economic development to infrastructure, saying businesses and families need reliable roads, bridges, water, wastewater and community facilities. He also identified parks, recreation facilities, libraries, trails, arts and culture and community organizations as important contributors to the quality of life that helps attract and retain residents.

Houle said the township should make it easier for people and businesses to choose North Dundas, and he would like to see stronger connections between the township, local businesses, developers, agriculture and regional economic-development organizations.

Houle said growth should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the tax base and services rather than simply as additional development.

“Good growth should help pay for the infrastructure required to support it while creating jobs, services and opportunities for families,” Houle said.

What would they have done differently?

Each candidate was asked to speak to one issue in the 2022-26 term that they would have handled differently.

Hodge pointed to a decision he says shifted 20 per cent of capital connection costs from developers onto the general utility rate pool He would have opposed that decision, arguing it penalizes local families by increasing average household utility costs.

He also pointed to structural problems with community assets, including what he described as leaking roofs at local arenas, and said he would have introduced milestone-based procurement to protect public funds.

Uhrig focused on transparency and public communication.

He said residents should have easier access to information about budgets, major projects, infrastructure investments and council priorities.

“Transparency builds trust, encourages public participation, and ensures residents feel informed and included in shaping the future of North Dundas,” Uhrig said.

He also criticized what he described as a social media environment in which “mis-truths” about municipal decisions could spread.

Uhrig proposed better budget summaries, project updates, grant-funding reports and performance measures, as well as holding more public meetings and community information sessions.

Houle focused on making municipal goals measurable. He said residents can sometimes see individual projects and budget decisions without having an easy way to understand the larger picture.

“What are our priorities? What is the target? What have we spent? Are we on schedule? And are we actually closing the gap?” he asked.

Houle said he would like to see public-facing dashboards covering areas such as infrastructure, finances and major projects.

Making their case to voters

In their final pitches, the candidates returned to the themes running through their responses.

Hodge said the township needs long-term planning and greater transparency.

“North Dundas doesn’t need slick political rhetoric; we need a transparent, 20-year infrastructure road map,” he said.

Uhrig pointed to his record during the current term and said he would continue focusing on infrastructure, local businesses, essential services and responsible spending.

“I’ve always believed North Dundas deserves honest leadership, responsible decision-making, and a clear plan for the future,” he said.

Houle said his business background has taught him to ask questions, manage resources, build relationships and remain accountable for results.

“I’m not running because I think government should simply spend less,” Houle said. “I’m running because I believe we should spend wisely, plan further ahead, measure our results and be transparent with residents about what we’re accomplishing.”

North Dundas voters will go to the polls on Oct. 26.

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