Natasha Salonen running for mayor to provide strong voice for Wilmot

Wilmot Township's incumbent mayor Les Armstrong has not announced whether he will run for re-election.

Natasha Salonen is one of the candidates running for mayor this time around. Salonen was born and raised in Wilmot, and explained why she is running.

“I'm running based off some past council meetings that I have attended,” Salonen said. “I think we really need some accountable, transparent, and responsible leadership choices being made at council.”

Salonen said that she feels as though she as the skill-set to provide that leadership. 

“I have been working in politics since 2012 in multiple roles both in the federal government, and currently in the provincial government for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs,” she said.

Currently, Councillor Jenn Pfenning is the only other candidate running for Wilmot Township mayor.

This year's municipal election falls on Monday, October 24. However, Wilmot residents will not be able to vote in-person on that date. 

Instead, the township will allow voting by phone or internet on election day and the 10 days beforehand. 

Voters can vote in-person on the two weekends preceding election day from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. 

Until then, Salonen outlined some of her priorities if she were to be elected mayor. 

“A big thing of mine is refocusing our council agendas, and getting back to matters that are actually under the municipal jurisdictions,” Salonen said. “I also really want to focus on fiscal accountability, and responsibility.”

She also mentioned responsible and sustainable development in the region as a priority, and making sure Wilmot Township gets a fair share of growth allocations.