ELECTION ROUNDTABLE PAGE
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WARRIORS PAGE
STRATFORD VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 14
19 FREE
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
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Here’s how to vote in Stratford CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Perth-Wellington is gearing up for a cold election as Feb. 27 gets closer and closer. Here’s what you need to know leading up to election day: Your voting location can be found at the Elections Ontario website by inputting your postal code. Additionally, residents can apply to vote by mail online by Feb. 21. Early voting can be done at the Stratford Rotary Complex, located at 353 McCarthy Rd., in halls A and B from Feb. 20-22. The stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For further information, residents can reach out to the Perth-Wellington local election office, located at the Stratford Hotel rear entrance, 107 Erie St. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also reach it by phone, 1-(833) 505-3410. Seven candidates have declared in Perth-Wellington. As listed on the Elections Ontario website, there is Jason Davis of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), Ashley Fox of the Ontario Liberal Party, James Montgomery of the New Blue Party, Ian Morton of the Green Party of Ontario, Matthew Rae of the PC Party of Ontario, Rob Smink of the Freedom Party of Ontario and Sarah Zenuh of the Ontario Party. Candidate profiles on Davis, Fox, Morton and Rae can be found in the Feb. 7 edition of the Times, which is available digitally at www.granthaven.com/stratford-times. Profiles on Montgomery and Zenuh can be found on pages 7 in this edition. Smink did not respond to the Times’ request for an interview by press time.
THE SNOW KEEPS PILING UP
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
This picture could be taken from many homes in the area. Most residents have almost had enough of winter and, if the weather person deals out any more snow, residents are wondering where they will put it all!
City budget passes; tax rate to increase 5.46 per cent this year
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Property taxes will increase by 5.46 per cent this year after a months-long-debated budget finally passed this month. On Feb. 10, in the middle of a more than three-hour Stratford city council meeting that included delegations from numerous residents on the budget, the tax increase was approved after one more debate by council.
During said debate, council discussed the increased burden Stratford and other municipalities face while other levels of government – namely the province – shirk responsibility. Many councillors felt they had to bear that responsibility, especially through their social services department, a sentiment shared throughout deliberations. Mayor Martin Ritsma said the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), a network of the municipalities in the province, is advocating for change. CONTINUED TO PAGE 3