Dunstall on the ballot for Wilmot’s Ward 4

By Lee Griffi

Scott Dunstall and his wife Lillianne have been married for 28 years, and New Hamburg is their home.

“My professional career has centred on business development, marketing, contract negotiation and building productive relationships. At Nielsen, I worked on proposals valued at more than $18 million and helped secure approximately $5 million in revenue. Today, I own Community Connect Neighbourhood Marketing,” he explained.

Dunstall is heavily involved in the community as Past President of the New Hamburg Optimist Club, founder of the Junior Optimist Club of Wilmot, chair of the 28-team Spring Thaw Local League hockey tournament,  Public Relations Officer for the New Hamburg Legion, and sitting executive member of the New Hamburg Board of Trade, to name a few.

“These experiences have connected me with young people, families, seniors, veterans, businesses and community organizations throughout Wilmot.”

Dunstall said he is running because Wilmot is at an important turning point.

“Residents are worried about rising taxes, water security, the loss of farmland, growth and a lack of trust in government. These issues cannot be addressed separately; they require practical leadership and a councillor who will do the homework, ask difficult questions and explain decisions clearly.”

He added his business experience and community knowledge would bring a valuable perspective to council.

“My goal is straightforward: grow Wilmot without losing Wilmot.”

Dunstall said through door knocking he has heard from residents who are concerned about broken sidewalks and e-scooters, but the biggest issue is affordability, which is closely tied to tax pressure and a distrust of our local government.

“Our commercial and industrial tax base is too small, leaving homeowners to carry too much of the tax burden. I believe our immediate concern should be revenue generation with economic development lifting off in parallel. The current council requested a staff report on the cost/return of each township asset with the final and most important step coming this fall in the form of a community engagement piece. Those results may yield some immediate relief.”

He said he would also advocate for the implementation of an economic development officer. 

“I will work closely with them to explore various initiatives. In the short-term, examine the idea of Vendor Cards introduced by this current council, and accelerate the Business Forum program introduced by the New Hamburg Board of Trade. Members and non-members met under a moderated, guided session that included several entities there to address business issues. The cross-pollination of experiences and issues between business owners in itself was outstanding.”

Dunstall added there are many things that could be done to address transparency and distrust issues, something he will elaborate on at the three upcoming All Candidates Meetings. 

“I think one of the first things we need to do is review the process of disseminating information from a staff, mayoral and councillor perspective. I will continue my newsletter that I started on the campaign trail and will review the process of how staff bring data and information to constituents.”

He added he would examine timing and delivery of staff initiatives already underway, including mandatory financial training for new councillors and taking it a step further to include taxpayers. 

“I will also drill down on staff's work with KPMG in developing a financial planning app that will greatly empower and accelerate timing for councillors (in unison) in examining line-by-line capital expenditures into the next 10 years.”

Dunstall said water security is an equally critical issue and economic development is secondary until it is known how this natural resource can support it.

“I have recently met with Citizens for Safe Groundwater and will be attending two seminars conducted by the University of Waterloo and Green Waterloo Region to learn more. I will be sharing those learnings in an upcoming Weekly Newsletter entitled TAILS FROM THE TRAIL. A play on the number of dogs that greet me at the door.”

He added it goes without saying that farmland needs to be protected and would bring forward a motion declaring that no non-disclosure agreement affecting Wilmot should be signed without council being informed and calling on the Region to adopt that requirement.

Dunstall said the current council has made a number of positive accomplishments. Council and staff have advanced important community projects, placed greater emphasis on infrastructure and water capacity, and developed a more detailed strategic work plan. Community partnerships have also produced visible results, including the Veterans’ Crosswalk and other locally driven initiatives.

“However, residents have lost confidence in how some major decisions were made and communicated. Large tax increases, questions surrounding land acquisition, closed-door discussions and uncertainty about water have left many people feeling unheard. Too often, residents learned about significant matters after decisions were already well advanced.”

He added council must restore trust through earlier public engagement, clearer financial reporting and greater transparency. Councillors must also be willing to respectfully challenge recommendations, ask for supporting evidence and remain accountable for the decisions they make.

“I am not entering this election with only one issue. Wilmot faces interconnected challenges involving taxes, water, farmland, economic development, infrastructure and public trust. Addressing them will require sound judgment, preparation and the ability to work constructively with Township and Regional representatives.”

Dunstall said he will listen, respond and keep residents informed—not only during an election, but throughout the entire term.

“I am asking Ward 4 residents for the opportunity to put that experience to work for them.”