Hernen to run for mayor of Huntsville

It’s shaping up to be an interesting mayoral race.

This morning, Steve Hernen filed to run for Huntsville mayor in the upcoming municipal election.

“The role of the mayor is to bring the community together for the greater benefit of all. And to do this successfully, it takes knowledge, leadership, and relationship building. As a leader with 37 years of experience in municipal government, I have a proven track record of doing just that. I am committed to turning dreams and ideas into realities and driving the change to move our community forward,” said Hernen.

“After a lifetime of working in and with virtually all levels of government, I have a lot to offer in the areas of leadership, skills, and knowledge. If elected to represent you as mayor of Huntsville, I will bring my dedication, commitment, and determination to the role. I’m eager to listen to residents and get more people involved in finding resolutions to the issues that are most important to our community,” he wrote via email correspondence.

Hernen was director of operations and protective services at the Town. He was also the Huntsville/Lake of Bays fire chief and served as president of the Ontario Fire Chiefs Association, as well as being a private developer in the community.

“As the president of the Ontario Fire Chiefs Association representing Ontario’s municipal fire departments at Queen’s Park, and as a private developer working with the municipal development department, I understand the struggles people face when working with different levels of government rules, regulations, and bylaws. Although these requirements are put in place to protect the residents and natural environment, not all rules fit all situations. Sometimes a careful review is required. I pledge to make local government work as a service organization more so than a regulatory body,” noted Hernen.

Hernen has been living in the community for 37 years, a place he said he chose to live, work, and raise a family in because it has so much to offer. “While I will continue to live here long after this election, today I believe we have a chance to build a stronger community that: Acts fiscally responsible, supports responsible development while protecting our most precious natural gifts, promotes economic growth and development, offers affordability for all to live in, enriches the lives of all citizens, including permanent, seasonal, and visiting residents.”

He said his goals as mayor would be to:

• “Expand and create water access points that will be inviting and accessible to all, such as connecting Hunters Bay Trail to the Lions Lookout to create a world-class waterfront for everyone.
• Improve service level, communication, and partnership between the town, local businesses, community groups, and the residents of Huntsville.
• Continue to work with the provincial government and hold it accountable to its promise for a new Acute Care Hospital for Huntsville.
• Secure our future through responsible growth, which will enrich the lives of all residents.

“This fall, I ask for your support to make this become a reality. When you receive your voter’s package, please vote for Stephen Hernen as mayor of Huntsville,” he concluded.

Tim Withey and Reuben Pyette-Bouillon have also filed to run for mayor of Huntsville in October.

Hernen’s campaign website is hernenformayor.ca.

Municipal elections will occur on October 24, 2022.

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