Former councillor Don Van Galen enters St. Marys mayoral race

Former town councillor and retired financial advisor Don Van Galen has thrown his hat in the race for St. Marys mayor in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

By Galen Simmons

Former St. Marys councillor and retired financial advisor Don Van Galen is seeking to become the town’s next mayor, saying his decades of municipal experience and community involvement have prepared him to lead St. Marys through its first term under Ontario’s strong mayor powers.

Van Galen, who retired from Sun Life last year after a career as a financial advisor, said the timing is right to return to municipal politics now that he can devote himself full time to the role.

“I believe I have the experience and skills residents are looking for in their next mayor,” Van Galen said. “For me it is the culmination of a lifetime of public service and business experience that will serve the town well for the next four years.”

He said the next term of council will be unique because it will be the first full term in St. Marys to operate under the province’s strong mayor legislation, which grants the head of council greater authority over budgets, staffing and organizational changes.

“Experience and trust is essential with this greater responsibility,” Van Galen said.

Over 18 years on council, Van Galen said he served alongside three mayors, six chief administrative officers and five different councils while helping oversee 18 municipal budgets, countless bylaws and major development projects. He also spent roughly three decades as a member and chair of the town’s planning advisory committee.

He said those experiences, along with years spent working directly with residents as a financial advisor, have given him an understanding of the community’s priorities.

“The last 20 years sitting down with my clients at their kitchen table, I have learned what people find is important,” he said.

Among the issues he believes will require council’s attention is the future of 14 Church St. N., which the town purchased and plans to redevelop.

Van Galen said the municipality needs a clear financial and business plan before investing further in the property.

“We don’t want to build a white elephant,” he said, adding the project should create new services and revenue opportunities rather than simply relocating existing municipal services into a more expensive building.

He also pointed to the proposed redevelopment of Wildwood Care Centre as another significant issue, saying the project will provide needed long-term-care capacity while requiring careful consideration of its impact on neighbouring properties.

Looking more broadly, Van Galen said St. Marys must continue attracting new residents and businesses by maintaining competitive taxes and fees, investing in recreation and municipal services, creating opportunities for young people and marketing the town’s quality of life.

He said he would also like to see St. Marys once again participate in Communities in Bloom.

“It’s not just an opportunity to compete,” Van Galen said. “It provides real focus on enhancing community strengths, building a better town and showing our best to the rest of Ontario and Canada.”

If elected, Van Galen said he would use strong mayor powers cautiously. While he intends to review the town’s organizational structure at the beginning of the new term, he said he wants council involved in the process and plans to return to a more traditional budget process.

“I know the previous council did not appreciate the use of the strong mayor powers in the budgeting process, so I will be looking for a more traditional process,” he said.

Van Galen said his campaign will focus on door-to-door canvassing, public appearances, regular communication with residents and traditional media. If elected, he said he plans to hold regular office hours and make himself readily available to residents.

“It’s about leadership and public service,” he said. “No mayor can succeed without a motivation to serve, and no one wants to follow a leader who doesn’t demonstrate that you have their interests at heart.”

To connect with Van Galen during or after his campaign, email don.van.galen@gmail.com.