With the nomination period for the October 26 municipal election having closed on August 21, Haliburton County voters are looking for answers from the now-certified candidates for council.
Residents of the four municipalities that form Haliburton County — Township of Algonquin Highlands, Municipality of Dysart et al, Municipality of Highlands East, and Township of Minden Hills — will be voting for members of their lower-tier councils whose leadership makes up the membership of county council.
In this multi-part series, kawarthaNOW is publishing responses from candidates in each municipality to the question “Why are you running for council and what makes you a unique candidate?” Stories in the series, presented by municipality, will be updated as required to include candidate responses received after initial publication.
Located in southeastern Haliburton County, the Municipality of Highlands East is a rural municipality with a population of around 2,700 permanent residents and around 13,000 seasonal residents. Communities in Highlands East include the hamlets of Cardiff, Highland Grove, Wilberforce, Tory Hill, and Gooderham.
The council for the Municipality of Highlands East includes a mayor and four councillors representing four wards, with one councillor elected in Ward 1 (Bicroft), one in Ward 2 (Cardiff), one in Ward 3 (Glamorgan), and one in Ward 4 (Monmouth). At the first meeting of the new council, one of the four councillors will be elected to serve as deputy mayor for the term.
Incumbent members seeking re-election are mayor Dave Burton, Ward 2 councillor Angela Lewis, Ward 3 councillor and deputy mayor Cecil Ryall, and Ward 4 councillor Ruth Strong.
Incumbent Ward 1 councillor Cam McKenzie did not run for re-election.
Challenging incumbent Burton for the mayor position are Cheryl Ellis, Steven Kauffeldt, Mike Killingsworth, and Krystle Anne Pegg. The candidates for Ward 1 are Bill Easton, Leigh Henderson, Andrew Martin, and Don Meharrie. Jo-Anne Gould-Green is challenging incumbent Lewis in Ward 2, Arlene Quinn is challenging incumbent Ryall in Ward 3, and Amy Toye is challenging incubment Strong in Ward 4.
Mayor
Dave Burton (incumbent)
I’ve been fortunate to live in our community for many years. It has been my honour to serve as your mayor. As Highlands East has developed, new challenges and needs have come to the forefront. My roots in this area have given me insight into solutions to these challenges, as well as opportunities for the future.
Over the years, I have spent most of my public life involved in representing Highlands East.
I have worked with my dedicated team to secure millions of dollars in grants.
My years of service have also been marked by a true commitment to the community and a mayor for all. We have strived to keep Highlands East debt-free and are the only one in the county and surrounding area to do so.
Some of the decisions, such as the committees of council, proved to be a real shot in the arm for Highlands East, with each of the councillors working with the community committee members to provide valuable feedback and recommendations to the Highlands East Council. This has provided an excellent citizen-led initiative and a solid foundation for us to build on.
During COVID, the team and I, as Mayor, had to step up and put in long hours to provide the leadership that Highlands East and its citizens deserve; There have been 4 states of emergency over the years, from Ice Storms and floods, that required a true commitment to the office of Mayor and the team of councillors and staff; My commitment has been instrumental not only to the community but also to the county by being elected by my peers and serving as County Warden for Haliburton County 5 times.
Volunteer Firefighter for 15 years; President of the Wilberforce Royal Canadian Legion; President of the Wilbermere Lake Association; President of the Algonquin Gateway Business Association; Chair for the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus; President of Ontario Good Roads; Working experience with all levels of government.
Chair of EORN, helping to bring improved internet and cellular service to our municipality and county; With the help of my team, we brought the Wilberforce Pharmacy and the new library to our community.
My varied experience and commitment to the people of Highlands East put me in a unique position as a candidate for mayor. This is only the beginning of what we can accomplish together with me as your mayor. For these reasons, I am asking voters to re-elect me.
Cheryl Ellis
I am running for Mayor because I believe Highlands East deserves leadership that is accessible, accountable and firmly rooted in the community. People should feel heard, not only during an election, but throughout the entire term of council.
Like many residents, I am concerned about the rising cost of living and the effect that continuing tax increases have on families, seniors and people living on fixed incomes. Every municipal dollar comes from someone who worked hard to earn it. I want council to carefully examine spending, actively pursue grants and look for practical efficiencies and shared services before asking taxpayers for more.
What makes me a unique candidate is the combination of my life experience, education and firsthand understanding of our municipality. I was born and raised here, worked for Haliburton County Roads and served as a volunteer firefighter with Highlands East. Those experiences gave me a practical understanding of rural roads, municipal services, emergency response and the dedication of the people working on the front lines.
I also hold certificates in Law Clerk studies and Human Resources Management. My background has taught me how to read policies and reports, ask difficult but necessary questions, manage responsibly and understand the importance of fair and transparent decision-making.
I am not running to protect the status quo. I am running to bring a fresh perspective, stronger public communication and careful oversight of taxpayers’ money. Most importantly, I am approachable and willing to listen. I want residents to know that their concerns matter and that their mayor will be available, respectful and prepared to work hard on their behalf.
Steven Kauffeldt
As a long-term resident of Highlands East, I believe the municipality would benefit from a fresh perspective on where it is headed from here. As a municipality, we need fiscal accountability to ensure environmental protection through responsible growth and the protection of the resources and environment our municipality has to offer.
I served on council from 2010 to 2014 as Ward One councillor. During that time, with the assistance of the Housing and Grants Committee, I played a major role in the rejuvenation of the Wilberforce Library. Additionally, as a committee, we worked to reduce the minimum square footage of housing in the municipality, which, in turn, gave residents of Highlands East more affordable housing options.
I have had the opportunity to chair or be a part of many boards within our municipality, including the Municipal Dog Pound Board, the Library Board, the Municipal representative for the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, the Central Food Network, Place for People, the Municipal Housing and Grants Committee, and the Light the Night Committee.
More than anything, I believe we need to prioritize how Highlands East can begin to grow again. We need to support our municipality and those who reside within it. This includes ensuring that the current municipal zoning by-law and the official plan will support our residents with appropriate updates, rather than deter them. I firmly believe that finding a way to say yes shows support for our residents, and acting to create solutions shows municipal support for our residents.
When considering me, Steven Kauffeldt, as your next mayor, I encourage you to remember my local perspective and my commitment to protecting what matters: our community and those within it. I look forward to the challenge this role as Mayor will offer, and ask for your support during this election. I’d also be happy to discuss your ideas and questions about our municipality.
Mike Killingsworth
Why I Am Stepping Forward
My name is Mike Killingsworth. I am running for Mayor of Highlands East because I love this community deeply, but I know that love alone isn’t enough to protect it. We need approachable, trustworthy leadership to safeguard and enhance the quality of life we all cherish here.
I also want to be clear with voters about the full scope of this position. Running for Mayor of Highlands East is not just about local leadership; by virtue of the office, the Mayor also sits on the Haliburton County Council and various regional governance boards. The decisions made at the county level directly impact our daily lives, and we need a mayor who understands how to navigate those larger tables effectively.
Here is why I am stepping forward to take on these responsibilities:
Navigating Critical Crossroads: We are facing pivotal, county-level reviews — specifically the Haliburton County Affordability and Governance Structure Study and the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Review. These will fundamentally reshape local government and how we protect our communities. I want to ensure our unique rural voice actively drives these decisions at County Council rather than just sitting on the sidelines.
Bridging the Divide: I am championing a “One Highlands East” vision. To reach our full potential, we must unite our year-round permanent residents and our seasonal community, ensuring fair service delivery, inclusive representation, and respect for both.
Delivering Practical Solutions: I am committed to “radical transparency” to address our specific local challenges. This includes working towards a transparent Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the OPP for real accountability, building a functional demand-responsive transit system, implementing fair Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations, and protecting our lakes from sprawl.
What Sets My Candidacy Apart
To navigate high-stakes regional reviews and our growing local demands, we need a mayor with a sophisticated understanding of how the machinery of government actually works. Here is what I bring to the table:
Extensive Public Service Record: I bring nearly 40 years of professional, front-line, and administrative experience in large-scale public safety and municipal governance.
Executive-Level Leadership: I served as the Head of Transit Enforcement and Chief Special Constable for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). In this role, I managed large budgets, led diverse teams, and coordinated multi-agency emergency responses for North America’s third-largest transit system.
Direct Municipal Government Experience: During my time as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Markham, I oversaw Bylaw Enforcement, Licensing, and Regulatory Services. This gave me a crucial “behind-the-scenes” understanding of how to make municipal bureaucracy work for the residents, rather than making residents work around it.
Ground-Level Local Insight: I have been a property owner here for 11 years and a permanent resident for 6. Beyond that, my retirement work driving accessible vans for Haliburton Highlands Health Services has given me an intimate, firsthand look at our local roads and the real isolation facing our local seniors and workers.
A Consensus-Building Approach: I bring a disciplined, analytical approach to problem-solving. Because smaller rural municipalities like Highlands East do not have “strong mayor” powers, a mayor only holds a single vote here. I know that true progress here cannot be mandated; it must be built through consensus, respect, and shared goals.
Moving Forward, Together
At the end of the day, stepping into this race isn’t all about politics for me — it’s about the place Kelly and I are so incredibly proud to call home. Highlands East is more than just breathtaking lakes and rugged trails; it is the warmth of neighbours helping each other after an ice storm, the laughter echoing from the Cardiff Pool, the fellowship and competition at the Wilberforce Curling Club, and the quiet, shared understanding that we live in a truly special part of the world.
We have a rare and beautiful way of life here, and it is worth fiercely protecting so that our youth can stay where they grew up, and our seniors can retire with dignity. But we have some real challenges ahead. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be visiting every ward, and I genuinely look forward to shaking your hands, hearing your stories, and listening to your hopes for our town.
On election day, I humbly ask for your trust and your vote. Let’s work together to protect the heart of Highlands East and guide the community we love toward a brighter, united, and prosperous future.
Krystle Anne Pegg
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Ward 1 (Bicroft)
Bill Easton
Hello friends and neighbour’s of Highlands East. My name is Bill Easton. I’m running to represent Bicroft Ward 1. I grew up in the town of Bancroft. With my wife Joan of 43 years, we raised our 5 children in neighboring Faraday township and have resided in Cardiff since 2020. I love our quiet rural neighborhood and the services that we enjoy fairly close at hand. I want to see Highlands East thrive in our rural Central Ontario setting that allows coexistence with permanent and seasonal residence and welcomes tourists to enjoy our 4 season playground. I would like to see employment opportunities in and nearby that keep our growing young people building their families and homes locally. Developing sustainability in fiscal responsibility, creating recreational and local opportunities without sacrificing our rural identity are important issues to pursue. I want to be your voice, building and managing Highlands East for the future!
Leigh Henderson
I’m running for council because I believe our community deserves to be heard, respected, and represented. I’ve called Cardiff home for 23 years. I raised my children here, worked here, and have experienced firsthand the changes our community has gone through — both the good and the challenges.
I’m not running because I want a title. I’m running because I want to be a voice for the people who live here and to help bring our community together again. I believe council should listen first, communicate openly, and make decisions with the people — not simply for them.
What makes me unique is that I’m deeply connected to the community I want to represent. I understand the history of Cardiff, I know what matters to local families, and I’m not afraid to speak up when something isn’t right. I bring a fresh perspective, strong leadership, and, most importantly, a willingness to listen.
I’m a community-minded person who believes that meaningful change starts with showing up, hearing people out, and following through. I want to bring that approach to council and make sure Ward 1 has a strong, independent voice at the table.
Andrew Martin
I am running for council because I believe Highlands East is at an important crossroads. With growing financial pressures, infrastructure challenges and the conversation around amalgamation, we need councillors who are prepared to put in the work, study the issues carefully and make informed decisions about our future. We cannot allow fear to guide us. We must move forward with careful, informed decision-making.
I believe my education and experience make me uniquely qualified in this race. For the past 14 years, I have operated Camp Can-Aqua in Highlands East. Managing a large summer camp is, in many ways, like running a small town. It involves overseeing significant budgets, infrastructure, staffing, transportation, food services, emergency planning, regulatory requirements and the needs of hundreds of people. It demands careful planning, financial discipline, strong communication and difficult decisions.
Our municipality is facing serious challenges, both operational and financial. We need to to start carving a new path. As Ward 1 councillor, I would work to strengthen best practices within our municipal offices, reduce waiting times for permits and approvals, and carefully evaluate any amalgamation proposal while protecting our rural community values.
Highlands East needs councillors who are capable and prepared to take this responsibility seriously. The decisions made by the next council could shape our municipality for decades. I am ready to do the work, ask difficult questions and help move our community forward. I look forward to speaking with the people of Ward 1 about how we can do that together
Don Meharrie
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Ward 2 (Cardiff)
Jo-Anne Gould-Green
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Angela Lewis (incumbent)
I’m Angela Lewis, a lifelong resident of Highlands East.
My husband and I have worked, played, and volunteered in our community that we love. My husband is self-employed; our two daughters and their families live in neighbouring municipalities.
I ran for council four years ago when the fear of losing our fire halls, Station 2 (Highland Grove) and Station 6 (Paudash), was being discussed. The thought of losing these essential services and dedicated volunteers is what inspired me to run.
In my first term, I have navigated the role of councillor and gained valuable experience in the operations and language of Municipal services.
For four years, I have spoken up, asked questions, debated, and made accountable decisions while listening to ratepayers. I created a responsible budget with zero debt to ensure community centers have winter sand, roads receive upgrades, a boat launch is installed in the fall, and community signs and an information finger slide are installed. I’ve also brought all community center users together to discuss issues and develop solutions.
I’m eager and committed to using this experience to continue representing the needs of Ward 2 and the Municipality as a whole.
Right now, the most significant issue is the proposed one-tier or two-hybrid amalgamation system, which risks centralizing decision-making, increasing taxes, and reducing autonomy, community representation, and identity. Our four municipalities have very different geographies and needs.
I will ensure all information, risks and benefits are available to ratepayers so they can make informed decisions. I will oppose a one-tier system and advocate maintaining our current municipal structure. I will continue pursuing shared-service efficiencies with the County as a practical alternative to amalgamation. I will ensure decisions about roads, fire stations, and community spaces stay with representatives who understand our communities.
My vision is to keep Highlands East autonomous and ensure our residents’ voices remain heard, with accessible and accountable councillors.
Our lakes, trails, and forests are the pillars of our tourism economy. Protecting them is essential! We need to continue supporting our septic system inspection program on lakes and supporting the needs of our lake associations, as they are the guardians of our lakes. The lake associations undertake extensive work: ecosystem Water Monitoring, Invasive Species Control, Shoreline Protection, and promotion and education of natural shoreline protection and revitalization.
We must invest in the people and organizations that make Highlands East a year-round destination. From winter trail networks and the Paudash Trail Blazers to local arts and the fish hatchery, each contributes to a vibrant tourism sector.
Volunteers bring spirit and heart to our communities, uniting residents across the Municipality. Their dedication deserves our ongoing support and recognition.
I’ll keep supporting our volunteers, churches, heat bank, and food banks, and keep community centers accessible to all groups.
These volunteers connect, feed, drive, counsel, and assist in providing resources and resource materials to individuals. We, as a Municipal Council, can support, develop partnerships, and collaborate with county services to help achieve this.
I will continue to review policies, bylaws, and fee structures to ensure they are fair, enforceable, and equally applicable to all. E.g., the protection of our shorelines and environment.
I will seek cost-sharing efficiencies with the County, rather than moving to a one-tier governance model. I will continue working with staff to implement the recommendations from the 2020 joint Delivery Service Review in phases through 2025.
We must preserve our autonomy as much as possible within the Municipality of Highlands East.
Let’s find savings, NOT sell out!
Ward 3 (Glamorgan)
Arlene Quinn
I want to be clear from the outset: I am not a politician. I am a resident, a small business owner, and someone who lives, works and plays in Highlands East. I see areas where our community can improve, and I believe it is important to step forward when you see a need for change. Rather than simply voicing concerns, I decided to put my name forward and be part of the solution.
One of the areas I would like to see addressed is communication between the Municipality and its residents. I have heard repeatedly from residents who have experienced difficulty getting answers or even reaching the Municipality in the first place. Response times can vary significantly, and in some cases, people receive no response at all. This creates frustration and leaves residents feeling that their concerns are not being heard. I believe communication should be timely, accessible and transparent.
I also believe we need to do more to engage and support our youth. We want young people to see a future for themselves in Highlands East and, when they finish school, to have opportunities that encourage them to stay, build careers, raise families and contribute to our community. For young families in particular, the cost and availability of housing and access to childcare can make that incredibly challenging.
I believe I bring a unique perspective to Council because of my previous experience working in the Highlands East Building Department as a Septic Inspector. That experience gave me firsthand insight into how municipal processes work and, just as importantly, how they can be improved from the resident’s perspective. There are opportunities to make information easier to access, improve the permitting process and make dealing with the Municipality a more straightforward and positive experience for the public.
I am not running because I believe everything is wrong. I am running because I believe there is an opportunity to make things better. Highlands East is a community worth investing in, and I want to help ensure that residents feel heard, informed and represented.
With the challenges and changes that may come with proposed amalgamation, I believe strong local representation will be more important than ever. I would like to be part of that conversation and help ensure that the voice, needs and character of Highlands East are not lost in the process. I want to be part of building a strong future for our community-one where residents feel heard, families can thrive, businesses can succeed, and Highlands East remains a place people are proud to call home.
Cecil Ryall (incumbent, deputy mayor)
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Ward 4 (Monmouth)
Ruth Strong (incumbent)
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Amy Toye
The most important roles in my life are being a Mom, Grammy & Wife. My husband & I run a successful business that serves all of Haliburton County and our neighbours & I volunteer my time or resources where I can throughout. Highlands East has been my home since the day I was born and that alone gives me a unique perspective on things.
I believe that the main goal of any Council should be to create a community that is affordable and inviting. One that encourages our young people to stay, buy homes, raise families, and build businesses. And asks others to come & enjoy all of the things we love here.
Accessible services, and low costs are a struggle faced by every municipality and Highlands East is no different. I believe we could minimize costs and better utilize funds by leaning on the expertise we have in house, or training our own staff instead of outsourcing, allowing for more growth within. Monies spent on local service providers, circle directly back into our own communities. I believe this is extremely important.
My background is in Finance, Administration and Marketing and while I do not have any specific political experience, I have been in many leadership roles, am diligent, and diplomatic, and truly care for Highlands East.
There is a balance between the growth we need to sustain ourselves & the smalltown feel we love. I am hopeful that I’ll be given the chance to participate in or even start some conversations. I do not have the answers; but I do have ideas and questions.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
