Mike McKenzie
Mike McKenzie is a one-time councillor who wants to help his community. He was elected 12 years ago and has run in every election ever since.
“I believe I can help the township by being more cautious, with dollars spent on best possible uses,” he said. “In my personal opinion money is being wasted. The bridge is the main issue. There was a bill turned in to the current council for $20,000 for the pedestrian walkway, but it’s only worth about $2,000. I feel the township got ripped off.”
Other important upcoming issues are the landfill and roads. Mr. McKenzie believes he can help out with these and make good decisions. “I think previous councils have some wise decisions, like not amalgamating with other townships,” he said. “I would praise some things they’ve done, but I would have done a lot of things differently.”
Mr. McKenzie was born and raised in Tehkummah, where he’s farmed since 1998 and been a carpenter since 2008. “My wife and I both farm,” he stated. “She runs a pet grooming business. We have three young children. There’s not a whole lot going on for children in the township. I would like to see more happen. The township used to have outdoor hockey rinks back when I was a child. There’s been a lot of interest shown in doing that again with volunteers willing to make the ice. We talked to council but it never went ahead. Of course, I don’t know their reasons.
“We need more playground equipment, and to use the community ball field. To the best of my knowledge it never got used this summer. There are a lot of young people here. I just feel it’s something we need to do.”
He also feels that it’s important to keep the Community Hall going strong. There are a lot of seniors in town who make good use of the hall and want that to continue.
“If I was a member of council,” he said, “I’d listen to the people. What I think isn’t always right. It’s what the taxpayers need—you have to look after taxpayers as a whole, you have to represent the township and taxpayers’ needs, not personal needs.”
Mr. McKenzie has been talking to people, getting ideas about what they think they want or needs. Good roads are important. “They say that in winter,” he explained, “if you can make it to Tehkummah you can get around anywhere, because our roads are better maintained than the highways. Once again, the elderly population needs that security. It helps them to stay at home.”
He feels that good listening skills are important for council members. “I’m willing to listen to anybody’s opinion, even if it disagrees with my own,” he said. “I will try to look out for taxpayers’ best interests, their wants and needs.”
He has considered his family’s needs also. “We’ve talked about it. My wife is very much a part of my life. We do everything together. We can handle it,” he said.
