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PAGE 23, 2026 PAGE Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette ATHLETICS CLAIM PROVINCIAL Thursday, TITLE July PETERSBURG WATER WOES The
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The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette Serving New Hamburg, Tavistock, Baden, Wellesley, New Dundee, St. Agatha, Shakespeare, Petersburg, Hickson, Punkeydoodle’s Corner and area
FOOD BANK DONATIONS NEEDED COLD CEREAL, CANNED TOMATOES, KRAFT DINNER, PEANUT BUTTER, JUICE BOXES, SNACKS FOR KIDS, FRESH GARDEN PRODUCE MOST WELCOMED!
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Unit 1-175 Waterloo St., New Hamburg ON N3A 1S3 519-662-2731 wilmotwellesleyrc.ca
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026
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Several area municipal spots up for grabs with 30 days left to file UWO professor offers thoughts on small town politics
LEE GRIFFI Gazette Reporter
outdoors. While the township reported no major disruptions to municipal operations, officials took several precautionary measures to protect staff and residents. "Township staff were advised to reduce time outdoors where possible, take
There are many good seats available with one month remaining to file nominations papers in upcoming municipal-election races. Martin Horak is a University of Western Ontario (UWO) professor and an expert in the field of local politics, and he said there are several reasons why so few people run for office including what he called the incumbency advantage. “Incumbents have a huge advantage at the polls and it’s very substantial,” said Horak, associate professor and director at the school’s Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance. “In small places where we don’t have political parties, name recognition matters. A lot of people tend to vote for the folks who are familiar unless they are really unhappy with them.” Horak said the situation often leads to the same people being voted into office for long periods of time and discourages others from putting their hat in the ring. He added it’s also
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(PHOTO COURTESY OF SHOW US YOUR WILMOT)
A smoky morning sunrise was captured by Mario Coniglio from the Mike Schout Wetlands on July 16 and shared to the Show Us Your Wilmot Facebook page.
Wildfire smoke prompts cancellations, schedule changes across Wilmot GALEN SIMMONS
Regional Editor
Thick wildfire smoke drifting into southern Ontario from forest fires in northwestern Ontario forced the Township of Wilmot to postpone events, move programming indoors and adjust
outdoor work schedules as air quality deteriorated between July 15 and 17. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued an orange-level air quality warning for Huron and Perth on July 15 as smoke blanketed much of southern Ontario, creating hazardous conditions for people spending extended periods