Trading Council seat for greater cause . . .

 

        As the rookie elected group steers their way toward the half-way mark of their third calendar year the results of their efforts are bearing fruit. South Dundas is, not surprisingly, approaching envy status of municipalities across eastern Ontario.

        Visible growth has replaced candidate night promises, and team-work has eliminated embarrassing in-fighting. A growing municipal staff of talented professionals has responded to an ever growing work load in infrastructure maintenance and expansion. At the same time the staff has created an inviting atmosphere in and around the municipal head-quarters on Ottawa Street. 

        Across the spectrum of the municipal family tree, direly required and more recently realized growth is showing up, beginning to satisfy an ever expanding tax base appetite. Growth that is adding to that tax base, in turn providing additional commercial, industrial and residential opportunities, and spurring on affordable associated developments in municipal infrastructure and assets. 

        Municipal elections are opportunities to choose candidates for a term of four years, as mandated by the province of Ontario. Over that relatively short period of service the glow of accepted responsibility, recognition and popularity can wear somewhat thin. Long term, qualified and sincere elected officials are not ‘a dime a dozen’ in rural communities these days. Change is a fact, a friend, a solution and a remedy. As readily acceptable as digitally shared knowledge. In most cases, thankfully!

        While re-reading reports of the past two-and-a-half years of municipal council activity around the area, we’ve learned one member of South Dundas’ popularly elected ‘group of 5ive’  will not be returning her name to the 2026 ballot. Danielle Ward, in spite of achieving rare recognition in honours from the Province of Ontario for a Project of the Year Award just this past week, has decided to direct her efforts to supporting her home community in need of an important solution.

        Although she plans to remain employed in North Dundas, Ms. Ward intends to walk a similarly challenging path in South Dundas, as an active, resident volunteer. Should her recognized abilities in supporting team building successes transfer as comfortably as she appears determined they will, South Dundas will be the better for it. 

 

        “Councillor Ward brings both expertise and passion to every initiative she supports, whether

advocating for youth, the environment or taxpayers, we are fortunate to have her voice at the table.”

                                                                        - Mayor Jason Broad, South Dundas

        

        We had initially met Danielle Ward during the run-up campaigns to the municipal election in South Dundas. We were impressed with her interest and understanding of the municipality, and more specifically in how the municipality operates on a day to day basis. Unlike many who wish to enter politics for the perceived popularity, Danielle Ward appeared comfortably able and openly willing to intelligently discuss, identify and suggest alternative solutions to persistent problems in a consistently positive manner. And mostly, she speaks with a relatively rare, self assuredness. And that says "winner!" 

        Now, two-and-a-half years and a very young family later, “I think my priorities have shifted,” Councillor Ward told us recently over brunch. We had invited South Dundas’ singular female council member to meet and discuss her future plans. 

        “Pressed for time,” she explained, quickly adding once promised brunch would be on the table, “I’m off on Friday this week if that would be okay?”

        Councillor Danielle Ward was raised on a family potato farm in Leamington, Ontario. She attended Queen of Peace primary (separate) school and Leamington's High School.

        “I took part in lots of the sports programs at school and that required staying after classes to participate,” Ward admitted, quickly adding, “Honestly, I can say today that I stayed and took part in the sports programs so I didn’t have to join in the home chores on my grand-parents potato farm.”

        She explains, “Ours was an old school potato farm so you can image when the crop is potatoes, we would have to cut up all the No. 3’s into pieces (for seeding the following year) and it’s not a popular job. We didn’t have cable TV so there wasn’t much to do by today’s standards. I chose to stay at school, get involved in every sports program I could, and my Mom would pick me up for the drive home when she was done working.”

        Danielle laughs devilishly, recalling what she perceived as a cagey trick her Mom had no idea was happening. We're betting Mom would laugh too.

        “I was in Grade 8,” Ward tells us of her initial steps into the working world and a paying position.

        “My Mom drove school bus when we were small, my sister was five-years younger than me. Our Mother didn’t work for a period of time and she would drive me to the bus depot where I would actually clean, sweep and disinfect the school busses and seats.”

        She admits the position was not such a luxurious career start when she recalls picking everyone’s gum off the bottom of the passenger seats was involved.

        “I didn’t chew any of it,” she laughs, “I recycled but not with that!” 

        The political bug surfaced for Danielle when she was elected to the Leamington High School student council in her Grade 10 year as an Associate Member. In Grade 11 she was elected again, winning an available 'seat' that she held through the final two-years of the school’s Grade 12 program.

        Danielle moved on to the University of Windsor for an undergraduate (four-years) in Environmental Science then pursued her Master’s degree at the University of Western Ontario.

        During our ‘tête-à-tête’ she admitted to celebrating her 30th-birthday, adding just as quickly, over a sly smile, “But that’s not my current age!” 

        “Originally I wanted to be in oil and gas,” she says, reminiscing her days following graduation. “I was sure I wanted to move to Alberta. Then when the time came and I moved from home to London to finish my degree, I suddenly decided Alberta would be too far (she laughs, adding “true story!”)

        We ask, “Do you mean Alberta was too far to return home for no-cost Sunday dinners?” 

        “Correct!”, she laughs, adding just as quickly, “But I did want to work for a private firm, looking for oil and gas!”

        “My first real job happened during my last year of University. I was fortunate to start with the (Essex) counties where they actively pursue waste management. An admin position had opened. My Grandpa, who was on staff as a paramedic at the time, kind of told me about the position. And I thought, why not?”

        “I applied successfully and stayed on while the gal I was replacing was pregnant, absent through two terms in creating her family. I was lucky to continue working there, replacing maternity leave. And I was even luckier the position continued until I was done completing my Masters Degree.”

        Looking into the job market with a Master’s Degree under her arm, Danielle Ward accepted a position in London, ON, employed with the city. 

        “I used to work in Water Demand,” she explains, “The City of London pipes their water from the Great Lakes, so when any development takes place, which can be frequent in any city, it seemed all I would do is look at pipes. I was overseeing that the pipes are sized correctly for neighbourhoods, making sure the connections are correct and that there is enough water pressure to provide demand. That job required those tasks were all I would do all day. Look at drawings, check specifications, apply my ‘ok’, then move on to the next set of drawing. Never changed.”

        Ms. Ward says she became disenchanted with the position, the lack of opportunity for advancement, etc.

        “Then I was made aware of a job posting that came up in Eastern Ontario, in the City of Cornwall.”

        While researching the housing market in Cornwall she learned of real estate opportunities in the area. Instead of investing in real estate in the city, she eventually chose to build her home in neighbouring Long Sault. Danielle points out she stayed in Long Sault, commuting to Cornwall for three years. And that is about the same time she learned she could take her dog to the new dog park located in Morrisburg.

 

        Ward says her visit to the South Dundas dog park followed by a walk along Morrisburg’s waterfront was “shockingly beautiful”. So much so that shortly following her return to work in Cornwall she lucked out again, learning of a job posting in South Dundas. 

        “It crossed my mind that my home in Long Sault was close, my dog loves it at the Morrisburg dog park, so I might just as well move there!”

        She applied and won the position. 

        “I initially started in South Dundas’ Waste Management department, noting there seemed to be a lot of vacancies in the municipal work force?”  

        Danielle says she saw those vacancies as opportunities to help out in other departments. The municipality had lost the Director of Recreation at the time and the portfolio “kind of fell to me”, even though she had no experience or knowledge in sports and recreation.

        Ward admits accepting that appointment was “a bit of a learning curve”. 

        “It was a great experience, met a lot of people in the community and learned a lot about South Dundas,” she explains, “Realizing South Dundas was very different than where I grew up.” 

        In Danielle’s home community of Leamington amalgamation had taken place many years previous to her landing in the recently amalgamated South Dundas. Ward’s grand-parents would have been the first-generation to experience amalgamation and slowly accept a greater community lifestyle. She says when she moved to South Dundas she hadn’t initially understood amalgamation was only a few years past. 

        “When I started in South Dundas I didn’t realize there was such a  strong feeling that ‘Morrisburg is Morrisburg’ and ‘Iroquois is Iroquois’, while Williamsburg and Matilda do their own thing kind of attitude. I was perplexed as to why that was.” Ward admits.

       “The CAO of the day was kind enough to explain to me that amalgamation hadn’t happened so long ago and for that reason resources were somewhat strangely allocated.”

        Ward says adopting that understanding was a struggle at the beginning of her South Dundas career, although the explanation received actually provided and continues to provide a more rounded understanding of the community. Now, she says, working in North Dundas, she finds comparable issues are somewhat of a comparable challenge. 

        “So it was a really good experience to have in my portfolio.” she points out.

        “The challenges we have in South Dundas are no different than the challenges we have in North Dundas. They may carry a different label, but they all come from the same background,” she says, adding, “Understanding that bit of history puts things more in context.” 

        Danielle Ward has been employed by North Dundas as the Director of Environmental Services for the past two years. Discussing her position, Ward says she’s always loved being a “planner”. Simply because a planner’s job is a good news story. 

        “You’re always helping somebody with a severance, building a sub-division, helping build a lot of their dreams, you’re helping them bring a new business to the community, you’re helping them get people on board to work. Planning is just a good news story!”

        “Being a Director,” she adds, “you do deal with a lot more problems. Realistically, you deal with a lot of negativity simply because that’s the job you’re being paid to do!  The task at hand is to solve problems!”

        Ward points out neighbouring municipalities, like South and North Dundas, realistically experience many, many similar problems, including water, sewer, storm water and garbage. 

        “And that’s just the way it is!”

           Asked what motivated her to run for council, Danielle said, “Primarily, I had worked in South Dundas previously, and was familiar with the atmosphere. I knew the staff quite well. So when you work with a good sized staff there’s a lot of ‘family atmosphere’ you work within.'

        "That was noticeable in South Dundas,” she pointed out. “It’s like it is normal to work hand in hand and somedays you really are in the trenches.” 

       “You become aware that political views can change from time to time and you work to support each other through that,” she adds, “And I felt like I had developed a lot of familial connection with people I worked with in South Dundas.” 

        Danielle says that when she left South Dundas there were “a lot of things going on,” pointing out council change-over and such.

        “One of the reasons I did run for council was to make sure that the staff we did have felt supported!” she says, hesitating, then adding, “The other reason was, and I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really sure of the skill level of some of the candidates running, so on the last day I put my name in.”

        That assumption turned out to be a community wide concern. South Dundas’ voters agreed with Danielle Ward. 

 

        “Councillor Danielle Ward has been committed to our team and our community

since our inauguration. She works with integrity and purpose as a true team player,

helping to build consensus and drive meaningful outcomes for the entire community.

We are fortunate to have her voice and leadership at the council table.”

                                                                                     - Mayor Jason Broad, South Dundas

 

        “Thinking back a few years I had a lot on my mind at the time. I wasn’t sure, and I had a new child and a lot going on. I was also concerned about the staff after having personally witnessed what it’s like to work with a ‘good council’,” Ward said.    

        She added that in her experience with a staff that works well together, shares skills and expertise, decisions are made allowing projects to flow. Things move forward!

        “I also know what it’s like to work for a council that’s not on the same page, argues about every small detail and never see’s progress,” she appeared to tense on the memory, “I know what that does to staff, and when I saw who was and wasn’t running I decided to put in my name.”

        Asked what she thought when she became aware of how today’s municipal council actually work, Ms. Ward spoke of the current elected group.

        “As it turned out, in regard to the group of people on council who I’m working with today, this has probably provided me the most valuable experience in my working life to be honest. And the reason I say that is because when you work with a team like the people I work with now, much like one family, things get done.”

        “I’ve not been in this game for that many years, I admit, but I have been in it for the last 13 years and I’ve never experienced this ‘working together environment’ previously. Usually when people run for council they have a mission, and that’s fine. Within the team I work with now, when someone wants something to get done, we all work toward understanding their vision and we all support them. It’s like we know they will be there to support us.” she explains, then emphasizes, adding,  “I think the attitude really shows, and I think Mayor Broad specifically, fosters that effort.”

        South Dundas’ Mayor, Jason Broad, has quietly become well and somewhat widely recognized as the consummate team builder. Councillor Ward pointed out she believes this attribute to the sitting Mayor shows in the current council team he has worked to develop. 

        “Jason’s strength in team building shows too in the staff we are able to attract,” Ward points out, “He consistently supports the group. He will tell you if he disagrees with you but he will support you and work with you. That’s something you don’t often see.”

       Ward said she believes the new approach is why the current council has changed the narrative on the negativity that previously permeated the municipal environs. She points out the more recent positive attitude and the adopted approach, explaining the reasons that approach is specifically why the municipality is attracting growth. 

      “When you’re approached by a developer and your council is positive, your staff is positive, and your community is positive, you’re going to realize opportunity.” Ward says.

       “I believe that’s where Mayor Broad has done such a good job.”

       Ward verifies developers do their research and they are not attracted to negativity. She says because Mayor Broad is such a good navigator and holds his council team together as a good family, developers recognize this and tend to believe they are working in a good and stable place.”

       “It’s not that this council never disagrees,” she admits, “It’s that regardless of the decisions being made and personalties being affected, at the end of the day we provide each other support. In that way we understand each other. And that’s specifically why I believe this team is a great team. It’s the reason I’ve been happy to be part of this council.”

       Prior to moving on in the interview Councillor Ward said “I’m attending a conference in May, and one of the subjects I’ll be delivering is how ‘the team’ makes the difference. The composition of council makes a huge difference. You don’t have to be experts but you do have to have respect for each other. You have to understand that everybody has different interests and different goals, and you have to understand how to move together in a positive direction.”

 

        As a resident, a parent, and a dedicated public servant with municipal experience,

Councillor Ward has a deep understanding of how local government works. Her continued dedication

and hard work on behalf of her constituents have been a tremendous asset to this council.

                                                                               - Mayor Jason Broad, South Dundas

 

        Asked if her expectations met the reality of sitting as a council member, Ms. Ward admitted that it was not what she expected. She believes she has encountered a valuable, personal and professional learning experience.

        In serving the electorate Councillor Ward suggests the population at large has been left out of the learning curve in regard to how the system applied today does works.

        “It’s no reflection on the electorate, it’s actually a failure of ours (Canadians). It’s not part of the education system in this country,” she says, “I understand too that this is a provincial issue. We’ve been working to make sure we direct people toward the answers they are seeking. I think the municipal level of support is doing the best job they can. I’d love to say we control the utility rates but we don’t. I love to say what comes off of your pay check and why, but we can’t. I’d love to say we have it, but we don’t have control over it. I mean, if you’re looking for a doctor we are working to help you find one, but it probably won’t be by tomorrow simply because we don’t have doctors sitting around waiting for clients.”

        “The things we do exercise control over, such as our limited tax base, essential in keeping the infrastructure we currently have. Now, if we want more services we simply pay more taxes. People know where to ask questions about costs going up. But they do not understand exactly what and how the taxes they pay, and raises and increases in taxes they keep paying, has to do with the municipality.”

        Danielle Ward says the most rewarding aspect of the councillor’s position is in the decisions made during one’s term.

        “Knowing those decisions are going to make people happy gives me a kind of peace,” Councillor Ward says, continuing, “I know too that we’ve made decisions that will not make everyone happy and that’s just the way it is.” 

        She explains, “I now have two boys, and I’m hoping today they grow up and raise families here in South Dundas. And in thinking about that, I think too that I’ve also made and supported decisions that need time to mature before people are happy with them. One of the most rewarding realities for me is in seeing those decisions come to fruition.” 

        “I suppose another ‘most rewarding’ aspect would be in being patient and waiting for those decisions to filter down, knowing in the future I’ve had a part in those happenings.”

         “We’re currently growing in South Dundas, but I might not see all those residential developments in place before I leave council. When they are done, all these new homes are full, I’m going to be thinking how that was a popular decision and feeling happy that I was part of it,” she says, pointing out, “More growth, more taxes. Means we can either keep the infrastructure we have or we can decide to offer a higher level of service which in turn broadens our horizons as a community.”

 

        “During my inauguration speech I spoke about Cole Veinotte, Tom Smyth and Danielle Ward

being rookie councillors, but not rookies in life. 

        “Over a three-year period, Danielle has proven to be more than a rookie councillor. Danielle brings

great municipal experience and has a great vision for youth programs in South Dundas.

        “On a personal note, having Danielle to my right has proven very beneficial. From time to time,

after speaking from my point of view on certain subject matters, she will give me the

“Oh, you said what” or “Yah, you said what I was thinking” kind of look.  Having a young,

inspiring, well spoken and well thought out team member as

Councillor Ward has proven to be inspirational for me. And it should be inspirational

for everyone entering into the Municipal political world."

                                                                       - Deputy Mayor Marc St. Pierre, South Dundas

 

        “I do believe growth is a positive thing. A lot of people want to stay small and I understand where that mentality comes from. The reality of the situation is that if we do not grow we won’t be able to afford the things we have now. That means growth is a positive. Growth brings more people and more ideas, and even though it brings more challenges, in reality growth brings expanded opportunities.” 

        Danielle smiles again.

        “I think we’re seeing more growth and I believe that’s a really great thing, because as I mentioned previously, South Dundas is a positive place to be.”

    “It’s beautiful here,” the councillor says with a nod and a distinctive twinkle in her eye, “I would challenge anyone who may disagree! We have waterfront, farm land, parkland. We’re close to Ottawa, right on MacDonald Cartier Freeway, the cost of living is comparatively low. There is access to most types of jobs, working from home to working in town, or work in Ottawa should you wish. It’s not an all day adventure anymore. It’s a perfect place to be. It has a rural kind of a vibe to it but also has amenities including a medical clinic and shopping choices. And today people are noticing that big city life simply isn’t as exciting as it once was. Our rural life styles aren’t so bad and I do believe we’re going to see growth continue here.” 

        We’re sold . . . 

        As we close the interview, we ask, What’s next for you:?

        “I believe my priorities have shifted. I have two kids right now and I think after being on council there is such a need in the community for volunteers. At the same time there is currently a growing need to address those numbers and the possibilities they create.”

        Councillor Ward mentions the recent Easter Egg hunts in South Dundas. Two of these events, organized for the 300+ wildly excited kids looking to take part, demanded considerable time and resources. 

        “Being on council has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of people and learn about what they do, and what they need help with. The specific reason I’m leaving council is because I see that need. I feel like being on council, working and having kids, could all be a bit too much. But if I take a step back from council, I may be able to put the time I put into council toward those volunteer needs.”

       “I’ve learned through being part of the council ‘team’ that the growing need for volunteers is becoming much more significant in South Dundas. And the senior population isn’t able to continue all the support they currently provide forever.“

        “So I have every intention to fill out my full term on council, during that time I’ll be working on attracting educated young people to consider serving at this level.”

        “And I’m looking at taking part in being a meaningful volunteer!”

 

South Dundas’ Councillor Danielle Ward, the Director of Environmental Services,

Municipality of North Dundas, in collaboration with JL Richards, Louis Bray, and OCWA

the Township of North Dundas was honoured recently in receiving the

Project of the Year Award from the Ontario Public Works Association

- it was through a partnership and use of innovative engineering that Chesterville, Ontario,

will have reduced occurrences of brown water. The pre-fabricated skid system installed at the

Chesterville Reservoir reduces the levels of iron and manganese - which when oxidized

by adding chlorine- turns the water a shade of brown in colour. North Dundas is proud to

have installed this state of the art system to help residents enjoy their tap water again.