Candidates for Mayor
Ruth Plowright
Darren White
Since 2009 Darren White has dedicated his time to serving the residents of Melancthon Township. As your Mayor, Darren continues to advocate for responsible development, protection of agricultural resources, economic sustainability, and strong community partnerships across Dufferin County.
Darren is driven to serve his community and his Country. With an education background in Specialized Business (honours) and Environmental science Technologies (3 year) he is well suited to lead the municipality into the future.
In addition to the many boards and committees he sits on locally, Darren also serves his country as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces holding the rank of Captain in the CF reserves, where he has taken many leadership and professional development courses. Darren has earned the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) for more than 12 years of distinguished service and holds the Queens Diamond Jubilee medal as well. Darren also teaches youth the values of citizenship, leadership, and personal development in the Canadian Cadet program.
Originally from Labrador, Darren has resided in Ontario for more than 40 years including 25 in Melancthon. He and his wife Teresa have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Here are some of the positions Darren has held on behalf of the residents of Melancthon:
Member of Council since 2009
-Deputy Mayor 2010-2014
-Mayor 2014-present
-County Councilor 2009-present
-County Warden 2017, 19, 20, 21, and 24
-Vice Chair Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) 2020 and 2021
Candidates for Councillor
Bashir Ahmmed
Bashir Ahmmed is a dedicated local business owner, community protector, and family man running for Councillor for the Township of Melancthon. Since moving to Ontario in 1998 and becoming a full-fledged Canadian citizen in the early 2000s, Bashir has committed his life to hard work, civic duty, and the service of others. For the past 11 years, he has proudly called Melancthon home, developing an unshakeable confidence in the strength of the community and its potential to achieve real, meaningful change.
A pillar of the local economy, Bashir is the owner of the Masonville Corner Store, a vital rural convenience store and gas station that serves as a daily hub for residents.
Beyond his commercial contributions, Bashir’s deep-rooted commitment to public safety is evident through his long-term dedication to local emergency services. Since 2016, he has fiscally supported the Mulmur-Melancthon Fire Department, directly contributing to the resources needed to protect local families. Driven by a desire to do even more, he stepped onto the front lines himself and has honorably served as a volunteer firefighter for over two years, putting his own safety on the line for his neighbours.
At home, Bashir is a loving husband and a proud father of four daughters. His deep investment in his family’s future directly inspires his decision to run for council, aiming to expand his ability to serve and elevate the community that has given him so much.
KEY PRIORITIES
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Community Safety: Enhancing local security, traffic calming measures, and emergency service responsiveness.
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Rental Property Infrastructure: Ensuring fair, reliable, and properly maintained housing standards for all residents.
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Advocacy via Formal Resolutions: Pushing formal resolutions to higher tiers of government to demand urgent action on critical, structural issues affecting local families, including inflation and the rising cost of living.
Shaen Armstrong
BIO: 30+ year career in IBM spanning technical support, sales & market management leading global teams responsible for multi-million dollar budgets across complex multi-faceted businesses. After retiring, I founded The Bottle Shed Foundation (TBSF), a Not-for-Profit, that was run by volunteers and adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) where all proceeds went directly back to the team and community causes. I ran TBSF for 8 years until moving back to area closer to my roots where I ended up in Melancthon.
Within a month of moving, I was volunteering in the community starting with Strawberry Sunday in Honeywood hulling and serving supper. It was a great way to meet neighbours.
Since then, I have continued contributing to my community like joining the Horning’s Mills Hall board (past), Dufferin County Emergency Response (current), Feral Cat Rescue Riverview (past), and Shelburne Legion (current).
I am also active in Township Council activities.
EDUCATION: My post-secondary education was in Law & Security (Fanshawe) and Computer Science (DeVry). In IBM I continually updated education including HW & SW business management, marketing, and financial training. I was the 1st female Hardware (HW) Manager in IBM Canada which honed my team building skills while improving customer satisfaction and business results under adverse conditions.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: I have spent multiple council terms working on Council Appointed Committees in Whitchurch-Stouffville such as Appeals Committee, Livestock Valuator, and Community Policing.
WHY RUNNING: It has been noted by current council that there is a need for representation on Council of professionals who have both the time and skill to handle the growing workload faced by members of council. I believe I have those attributes and the desire to give to my community by ensuring they are listened to and deserving of a council that works for the people.
PRIORITIES:
– Bring different perspective to community involvement in council priorities
– Protect future land uses, population growth, and community services
– Review existing processes of Township Boards & Communities to understand high turnover rates.
Kait DeVore
My family and I have called Melancthon home since August 2020. We were drawn here by the peaceful rural lifestyle, agricultural roots and small-town sense of community, and it has become a place we are very proud to call home and raise our children in.
Over the past years, becoming more involved in the community, including serving on our local community hall board, has given me an even greater appreciation for the people who make Melancthon what it is.
I don’t enter this race believing I have all the answers. I do believe I have something meaningful to contribute, and I’m prepared to listen, ask questions, do the homework and work hard on behalf of our community.
There are several issues I feel strongly about:
Protecting Melancthon’s farmland, groundwater, agricultural community and rural character is incredibly important to me. I do not support the proposed quarry and have serious concerns about its potential long-term effects on our water, farmland, roads and traffic safety.
Road safety is another priority, particularly where families, school buses, agricultural equipment and increasing traffic share our rural roads.
I also believe residents deserve clear communication from Council; not only about the decisions being made, but the reasoning behind them. Questions and concerns should be acknowledged, followed up on and, wherever possible, brought to a resolution.
Beyond the business of Council, I would love to see more opportunities for our community to come together. Supporting our community halls, parks, events, local organizations, volunteers, businesses, families and agricultural community helps preserve the small-town connection that makes Melancthon special.
If elected, I will serve with integrity and respect, approach decisions thoughtfully, and be a strong advocate for the people of Melancthon. I hope to be a councillor who residents feel comfortable approaching, knowing their questions and concerns will be heard, explored and followed up on.
If residents put their trust in me, I’ll work hard every day to prove they made the right choice.
Jim Hillis
Keenan Kovacs
Bryan Lemcke
Hi Friends of Melancthon,
My name is Bryan Lemcke, and I am running for a seat as your Township Councillor in this fall’s municipal election.
Born and raised in Dufferin County, I have spent most of my adult life right here in Melancthon. My deep roots in this township are shaped by decades of living, working, and volunteering alongside you. Since 2004, I have operated my own general contracting business, specializing in custom homes, renovations, and additions. Alongside running my business, I have had the privilege of working in various public and private sector roles. This unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and “hands-on” public service experience is exactly what I plan to bring to our local council.
A Proven Track Record of Hard Work
My diverse work history gives me a practical, ground-level understanding of how our local infrastructure and services operate:
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Waterworks & Environment: Licensed Waterworks Operator for the Town of Orangeville, ensuring drinking water and distribution systems safely meet strict provincial regulations.
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Winter Control & Roads: Seasonal operator for the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Town of Shelburne, including signage, general maintenance, plowing and managing winter road safety.
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Agriculture & Operations: Equipment operator and labourer for Rutledge Farms, a local potato grower.
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Recreation & Community Hubs: Over 10 years of service at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (CDRC) as both a student and a part-time facility operator.
Dedicated to Community & Volunteering
I believe a strong community is built on service. Over the years, I have proudly dedicated my time to organizations that keep Melancthon safe, active, and vibrant:
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Youth Sports:Coach for both Honeywood Minor Hockey and Shelburne Minor Hockey.
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Community & Environment: I volunteered with NDACT (Foodstock / Stop the Quarry) and the Shelburne Agricultural Society (Fair Board).
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Local Trails & Recreation: Volunteered with the Dufferin Drift Busters Snowmobile Club and the Dufferin Grey ATV Club.
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Public Safety:Served as an Auxiliary Officer with the Shelburne Police Service (2003–2007).
My Priorities for Melancthon: A council functions best when it represents a diverse group of voices and practical perspectives. If elected, I will focus on:
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Protecting Our Recreation Hubs: Both the CDRCand the Honeywood Arena are essential to our small communities. They need our continued, prioritized support to remain strong for local families.
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Supporting Volunteer Fire Departments:Having worked alongside many volunteer firefighters, I know the immense sacrifices they make. I am committed to ensuring they always have the training and top-tier equipment required to keep us safe.
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Aggregate extraction:My goal is to bring residents’ concerns to the table and seek clear, straightforward answers. I believe residents deserve to be heard, have their concerns taken seriously, and understand how decisions are being made. I will follow the science while ensuring township residents’ voices are represented, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and serving the community without a personal agenda.
I am ready to use my unique blend of business, infrastructure, and community experience to offer a practical perspective on council discussions. I would be honoured to earn your vote this fall.
Nancy Malek
Nancy Malek is the Mom of a beautiful 45 year old daughter. She has been in the Canadian Entertainment Industry for close to 50 years. Citytv, Muchmusic, and YTV was where she honed her skills as a Director and Music Producer. She then went on to a successful career in the Music Industry working with such artists as Gordon Lightfoot, Deep Purple, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Sum41, and Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) amongst hundreds of others. An award winning filmmaker, event coordinator and publicist, Nancy moved from Toronto in 2008 and now spends her time in Melancthon Township, where she was elected as a Township Councillor in 2010. She also produces the Andy Kim Xmas Concert in Toronto and Montreal for the last 22 years which raises money for CAMH and children’s charities. She was one of the organizers of Foodstock where 28,000 came to protest the Highland Mega Quarry. Starting in 2013, Nancy worked full time as Events, Marketing & Promotions Coordinator at the Museum of Dufferin and was Chair for 6 years of RTO6 Central Counties Tourism which handles Tourism for York, Durham and Headwaters regions. During the early days of COVID-19, she was redeployed to County Corporate Services to aid in Emergency Communication duties. Nancy was also the main County contact for the International Plowing Festival held in September 2023. She is now retired and enjoying her home and environment in beautiful Melancthon Township.
Professional & Community Experience
Retired from 13 years at the Museum of Dufferin
Volunteer work, boards, committees, or community involvement
Dufferin Arts Council
Headwaters Cultural Roundtable
Headwaters Arts -Advisory
Dufferin County D&I Committee
Dufferin County H&S Inspector
Foodstock Organizer- Organized the musical talent, bringing in Jim Cuddy, Sarah Harmer, Barenaked Ladies, Hayden, Ron Sexsmith and many more.
Upper Grand Watershed Committee
Horning’s Mills Hall Board
Horning’s Mills Park Board
Horning’s Mills Cemetery Board
Headwaters Tourism Board
North Dufferin Rec Center Board
Mulmur/Melancthon Fire Board
Shelburne & District Fire Board
Chair – Central Counties Tourism – 6 years – York, Durham, Headwaters of York and Durham. Governance Committee Chair and involved in Financial, Marketing, Business Development and HR Committees.
Why Are You Running?
The world around us is rapidly changing and I want to ensure this Township progresses in a sustainable manner that does not harm our lives or resources.
Key Priorities
Stop Strada from below water table quarrying. Stop urban developers from designing unwarranted development. Ensure a safe environment in our community for the future and keep taxes from increasing.
Vision for the Township
We are a strong Township that is resilient and proud. Growth must be sustainable and our resources must be protected. The economics of and diversity in our businesses must be supported, marketed and maintained.
Contact Information
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be************@****rs.com
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519-925-0591
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http://www.LinkedIn.com/nanci.malek
David Miller
Bill Neilson
My name is BILL NEILSON, and I am pleased to announce that I am the incumbent candidate for Township Councillor for the 2026-2030 term of council.
I have deep ties in Melancthon Township, where I am a fifth-generation resident. I currently reside on my maternal grandparent’s farm, a property that has remained in my family for more than ninety years.
I have been retired since 2018 and have closely followed Melancthon Township Council since that time. Prior to retirement, I served as Regulatory and Compliance Manager for the largest dangerous goods warehouse in Canada. In this role, I was responsible for ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements and worked closely with numerous Canadian and U.S. government agencies and their respective counterparts.
In addition to serving as one of your current Councillors, I am a member of the Shelburne District Fire Board, the Chair of the Mulmur/Melancthon Fire Board and Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. Additionally, I volunteer at several community events. These roles have allowed me to remain actively involved in our community, work alongside residents and contribute to the programs, services and events that make Melancthon Township a strong and connected community.
My mission is to continue to serve our community by listening, collaborating and working diligently to strengthen our municipality.
My Priorities continue to be:
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Protecting our Rural Community
Preserving farmland, protecting our natural resources; namely the potential expansion of two local aggregate operations
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Roads and Infrastructure
Maintaining safe roads and investing wisely in our infrastructure
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Responsible Financial Management
Protecting your tax dollars through thoughtful budgeting and responsible spending
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Transparent Local Government
Supporting open communication, accountability and informed decision making
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Community and Recreation
Supporting parks, recreation and services that strengthen our families and neighbourhoods.
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Listening to Residents
Being available, approachable and committed to hearing your ideas and concerns
As our community continues to face new opportunities and challenges, I believe strong, experienced leadership, informed decision making and open communication with residents is more important than ever. I respectfully ask for your continued support so that I can keep working on your behalf to protect community values and the quality of life that make Melancthon such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
Thank you for your trust and support.
I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the Township of Melancthon.
Respectfully, Bill Neilson
Mardi-An Ziegler
