With the nomination period for the October 26 municipal election having closed on August 21, Peterborough County voters are looking for answers from the now-certified candidates for council.
Residents of the eight municipalities that form Peterborough County — Township of Asphodel-Norwood, Township of Cavan Monaghan, Township of Douro-Dummer, Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Township of North Kawartha, Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, Township of Selwyn, and Municipality of Trent Lakes— will be voting for members of their lower-tier councils whose leadership makes up the membership of county council.
In the multi-part series of stories, kawarthaNOW asked candidates to introduce their campaigns by answering the question “Why are you running for council and what makes you a unique candidate?” and has published their responses verbatim. This series will present candidate responses by municipality.
The Township of Cavan Monaghan’s council comprises a mayor, deputy mayor, and three councillors, with one elected in each of three wards: Ward 1 (formerly North Monaghan), Ward 2 (formerly Cavan), and Ward 3 (formerly Millbrook).
Incumbent members running for re-election are mayor Matthew Graham, deputy mayor Ryan Huntley, Ward 1 councillor Nelson Edgerton, and Ward 3 councillor Lance Nachoff.
Jaccob Burnett, Jim Chaplin, and Julia Herrick are challenging Graham for the position of mayor, incumbent Ward 2 councillor Gerry Byrne is challenging Huntley for deputy mayor, and John Collver is challenging incumbent Edgerton in Ward 1.
Ward 2 candidates are Malcolm Byard, David Lundrigan, and Saskia Mattern, while Chanelle Courville and Linda Coulter will challenge incumbent Nachoff in Ward 3, where David Lundrigan withdrew his nomination the day before the nomination period ended.
kawarthaNOW did not receive responses before publication from mayoral candidate Chaplin, incumbent deputy mayor Huntley, or any of the Ward 1 or Ward 3 candidates. This story will be updated if any responses are provided.
Mayor
Jaccob Burnett
I am running for Mayor because Cavan Monaghan is my home, and I believe our Township is entering an important period of growth and change that requires responsible, accessible and accountable leadership. An important reason behind my decision to run, is the financial pressure facing residents across Cavan Monaghan. With the cost of everyday life continuing to increase, I believe municipal government has a responsibility to carefully examine how taxpayer dollars are spent, look for efficiencies and ensure residents are receiving meaningful value.
I have deep roots in this community. My family has called Millbrook home for three generations, and growing up here has given me an appreciation for the character, history and sense of community that makes Cavan Monaghan such a special place. As we continue to grow, I want to ensure we welcome new opportunities without losing the identity and character of the communities that have brought us here.
What makes me a unique candidate is the combination of public service, business and leadership experience I would bring to the role of Mayor. Serving as an Ontario Provincial Police Constable gave me firsthand experience in public safety, legislation, investigations, conflict resolution and serving communities during difficult circumstances.
I bring approximately 14 years of hands-on business, sales and commercial negotiation experience through the antique, collectibles, classic vehicle and movie industry. I have had the opportunity to work with local customers, businesses and organizations. This experience has taught me the importance of building relationships, negotiating fairly, solving problems and being accountable for the decisions you make.
My involvement in leadership and public service began at a young age. I spent several years with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program, where I progressed through leadership roles and attained the rank of Warrant Officer First Class and served as Squadron Commander. During this time, I instructed aviation, survival and led field training exercises. The program taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork, responsibility and leading by example.
In 2015, I was also elected Prime Minister of the Clarke High School Student Council. In that role, I worked with students and staff to organize events and coordinate student initiatives. This was my first experience in an elected leadership position. It gave me early experience representing others, listening to different perspectives and working as part of a team toward common goals.
Those experiences helped shape a belief that has stayed with me throughout my professional life: leadership is ultimately about service. It means listening, being accountable for your decisions, working with others and being willing to take responsibility when people place their trust in you.
Matthew Graham (incumbent)
I am running for re-election to continue to serve the residents of Cavan Monaghan. This is a crucial period in time for the Township as we manage the growth pressure that is already here, and plan for the future of the Township with the work just starting on our Official Plan.
The on-going Provincial Facilitation discussion that we are required to participate in will also be very important to the future of our Township. Many of the decisions over the past two terms have put us in a fantastic strategic position to demonstrate that we are more than capable of managing our own future, not just for our own benefit, but for the entire region.
We’ve been able to accomplish a lot despite the economic challenges. We are investing in new recreation amenities, we’ve built a new fire hall and ambulance bay, we are creating employment opportunities and funding our asset reserves for the future, all while keeping tax increases to their lowest levels in more than a decade. I want to continue this commitment to strategic, efficient and fiscally responsible government.
Julia Herrick
I’m running for Mayor because I believe Cavan Monaghan needs a fresh perspective and a stronger focus on affordability, responsible spending, and actually listening to residents before decisions are made. I also believe our community deserves a Mayor who is visible, approachable, and actively present in the community (not just at Council meetings), in all corners of the Township.
What makes me different is the experience I bring from outside politics. I’m a Master Electrician, college professor, small business owner, mom, and active and present in community events. I’ve worked in the trades, industry, and education, where solving problems means asking questions, understanding the numbers and finding practical solutions. I’m not a career politician, and I’m not interested in maintaining the status quo. I want to bring common sense, accountability and new ideas to Council.
Deputy Mayor
Gerry Byrne
Firm believer in local politics is critical and the rural portion is to often ignored (talked about, the actions don’t match the talk). Politics is community and people need to feel they have a voice in it. In the past 4 years as Councillor in Ward 2 I feel I have made that accessibility to the people who actually live in the Township my number one priority as an employee of those people.
Regardless of who you vote for, Please VOTE.
Ward 2
Malcolm Byard
My decision to run for council comes from a base of over 25 years of voluntary service to communities. As a board member (and at times leader) of three different not for profit organizations I have built and fostered relationships with all levels of government. This experience will enable me to communicate with and effectively represent the interests of Cavan residents.
There have been many changes to the landscape of Cavan Monaghan Township since I moved here in 2009. Defense of our rural identity and respectful development in the future as well as lobbying for the new school and proposing a much needed medical clinic will be paramount to my platform if elected.
David Lundrigan
I’ve decided to change the direction of my candidacy by stepping away from the Ward 3 race and putting my focus where I believe I can make the greatest difference and Where I live – Ward 2.
We’re growing, and with that growth comes an opportunity to make Cavan Monaghan an even better place to live. I want to help shape that future with thoughtful planning, strong community connections and a focus on what makes Cavan Monaghan such a great place to live.
My message is simple:
Grow Smart. Stay Local.
Build local – growing businesses, creating opportunity, and strengthening Cavan Monaghan’s economy. I have a passion for creating more opportunities for youth and seniors, strengthening recreation, encouraging local spending and bringing more community events and activities to our towns.
I also want to bring a strong voice for Ward 2 while contributing to the growth and success of all of Cavan Monaghan. I believe the best communities are built when residents, businesses, community organizations and local government work together.
I’ve spent years building a business, creating youth programs, working with families and investing in our community. Now I want to take that same energy and bring it to the Township.
1) I’m a local business owner – Millbrook Fit
2) I’m involved in the community – Cavan Monaghan Youth Softball Association
3) I understand recreation from multiple perspectives
- I’ve developed youth fitness camps this summer
- I’m a member of the Cavan Monaghan Task Force on Downtown Park and Remaining CMCC Land
- I’ve created fitness programs for seniors of all fitness levels
- I’ve developed Inclusive and accessible recreation for people of all abilities
4) I’ve been an Entrepreneur for 20 plus years.
- My family and I live here. We work here. We invested here.
- Cavan Monaghan is more than where we live. It’s where our lives happen. And that’s something worth being proud of.
Saskia Mattern
I’m running for Council because I love Cavan Monaghan, and I want our community to remain a place where families can afford to build their lives, local businesses can thrive, and our rural character is protected as we grow.
What sets me apart is the combination of, my perspective, my professional background, and my hands-on community involvement.
I bring a perspective that reflects the realities of different stages of life. I understand the challenges facing young families today, including balancing a full-time career with everyday responsibilities and rising costs. At the same time, I think about the future I want for my parents and others who have spent decades working hard and deserve the opportunity to enjoy a secure and well-earned retirement. I believe good municipal decisions should consider both the needs of families building their lives today and the importance of creating communities where people can feel confident about their future.
At the same time I have an evidence-based engineering mindset, with an education and career in the engineering field, I have the ability to look past opinions, analyze technical documents, weigh trade-offs, and focus on practical solutions. I will bring this same analytical approach to Council, asking good questions and making well-informed decisions based on evidence and the long-term interests of our community.
My community involvement has also given me a practical understanding of what makes Cavan Monaghan special. As a member of the Millbrook Valley Trails Advisory Committee, I have the opportunity to contribute to the stewardship and improvement of the outdoor spaces that so many residents value. Through this work, I’ve connected with residents who care deeply about our community and its future.
Ultimately, I believe Cavan Monaghan deserves a Council that combines thoughtful decision making with a genuine understanding of the people who call this community home. I want to bring my professional skills, my perspective, and my commitment to our community to the table, while helping to ensure that as we grow, we do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and in a way that preserves what makes Cavan Monaghan such a great place to live.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
