Jeff Bell elected to fill council vacancy in Perth South

Jeff Bell fills councillor seat in Perth South

By Stewart Grant

Jeff Bell is the new Councillor for the Township of Perth South, having been chosen by Council among a group of five Perth South residents who each put their names forward to serve the community.

The death of Mayor Jim Aitcheson on Nov. 22, 2024 created a vacancy on Perth South Council that was required to be filled in accordance with s. 259.1 (h) of the Municipal Act. At the Dec. 3 council meeting, Acting Mayor Sue Orr was appointed as the Mayor of Perth South, which in turn created a vacant seat on council. At the Dec. 17 meeting, Council directed the Clerk to issue a call for nominations to the community to fill the vacant seat.

There were five Perth South residents who submitted nomination forms prior to the deadline of 2 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2025: Jeff Bell, Jason Brady, William Dittmer, Jason Francis, and Heather Ruthig.

Each of the candidates made their case before Council at the Feb. 4 council meeting.

During his opening words to Council, Bell made the case that he wishes to represent all the people of Perth South, as he brings a good blend of experience in farming, business, and community service to the position.

“My hope for Perth South is to see growth that aligns with our strategic plan, and I want to make sure our farmers have a voice in protecting their farmland,” he added.

“It is obvious that Perth South needs growth. We need to find ways to build so that we utilize our land and resources appropriately to increase our population and attract more business,” wrote Bell within the pre-meeting questionnaire with regards to sustainable growth.

After interacting with and having the opportunity to ask questions of all five nominees, Council’s process in each stage of voting was to eliminate the candidate(s) who had the least amount of votes. Bell emerged as the winner after the third round of voting. He will be officially sworn in at the council meeting to be held on Feb. 18.

This will be Bell’s first time serving in municipal government, although he has been involved in politics dating back to his teenage years when he was the president of the Progressive Conservative Youth’s local riding.

Bell has deep roots in the area and farms the land that has been in the family since 1867. He is a former student of Downie Central School, where his children have also attended.

For the last 18 years, he has worked in Stratford in the aerospace industry. His current operational role there includes oversight of purchasing, shipping and receiving, importing and exporting for clients, and facility management.

He is the current president of the Optimist Club of Downie and is a former director of the Milverton Rod & Gun Club.

“I am not looking at this as a two-year position,” Bell told the Independent earlier this week. “I’m looking at this as a six-year position. I don’t see myself in a caretaker role and I don’t believe that’s why Council elected me. I’m committed to standing behind the decisions that I make in the next two years and it’ll be up to Perth South residents to decide if I’m making the right decisions or asking the right questions on their behalf.”