Rhyus Reeves to run for Norfolk mayor

Rhyus Reeves

Leah Bauer

Advocate Contributor

Rhyus Reeves, one of five mayor candidates in Norfolk County as of June 1st, is a name that many will associate with real estate, thanks to his 22-year career as an agent, where he began locally in 2004, and eventually as co-owner of RE/MAX Erie Shores Realty Inc Brokerage in 2018.

Reeves has since taken a step back from real estate to spend the past few years homesteading and running a small farm with his wife Andrea and their children.

His career in real estate was marked by "navigating one of the craziest real estate markets after the Covid pandemic.” In 2022, following the pandemic, Reeves sold his shares in the brokerage, stating “my wife and I just wanted a break.”

Since then, Reeves has worked alongside his wife to turn a former cannabis farm into their dream homestead. They raise cattle, chickens, and donkeys as well as maintain an impressive garden.

“Obviously, this is what Norfolk's about,” said Reeves. “This recreation, the farming, this lifestyle. I want my children to have this lifestyle. I want all of our children in Norfolk to be proud of what they have to inherit from us. I just feel that we've kind of lost direction. There's a lot of pressure from the province to build houses.. And a lot of people in Norfolk don't want to see it become like a metropolis.”

Reeves also believes that there is considerable work to be done in terms of organization, and expenditure waste reduction in Norfolk County. He stated that his plan upon taking office if elected would include “a line-by-line assessment of Norfolk County's management, our programs, our consulting fees, our fleet usage.

“I think we need to really hone in on those kinds of expenditures within Norfolk. We seem to be really top heavy.”

He believes that this method will help to “satisfy a lot of taxpayers so they feel value for where their money goes and not just more and more programs that are costing too much money.”

Reeves believes taxpayers are not “seeing what they're getting. They're just seeing Norfolk County staff being built up.”

Although Reeves does not have previous experience in municipal government, he does not take this as a mark against his campaign as he regards his work experience in Norfolk is relevant to the task at hand.

“I have had my boots on the ground in Norfolk County for 22 years, I don't think they have as much experience knowing Norfolk from every corner like I do. Selling houses, dealing with the everyday people, I think maybe these career politicians tend to get out of touch with the people of the community. I think that what is more helpful is my experience in the community, plus my business experience, from running the best brokerage in Norfolk County, and having the top agents in Norfolk County.” 

Reeves understands that making tough decisions is a part of the role of mayor, and he also maintains that transparency is important in these difficult decisions stating, “I believe in holding people accountable, for their actions and what they do. I believe in being transparent, so the county and the people of Norfolk County understand why we do what we do.” 

Reeves is confident in his abilities if elected.

“Everything that I've done in my life, I've given my 100% to and it's succeeded. So I've just looked at this as another challenge, where if I can succeed at this, and stand up for the people of Norfolk, let their voices be heard and feel like their voices are heard. Then I can start to make some change in the right direction.”