Ross taking another shot at EZT council
By Lee Griffi
Jon Ross is taking another shot at getting elected to East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) council.
Ross has lived most of his life in Tavistock, moving to the town at the age of seven.
“My wife, Kim, and I are proud to have raised our three amazing children right here in town. I bring nearly 30 years of professional experience in technology and business leadership for the service of the township. Locally, people know me best as an owner of Madmash Brewery & Restaurant here in Tavistock.”
He added his roots in this town run deep, including serving in the Masonic Lodge for several decades, and as the head referee and an executive member of the Tavistock Minor Soccer Association.
“Over the years, I've also volunteered with minor hockey, my church council, local political campaigns and always say yes to helping out. At Madmash, we actively run an ongoing fundraiser for the Tavistock Assistance Program, among other initiatives to help give a night out to those in need.”
Ross said his primary reason for running is to use his professional background and extensive volunteer experience to help proactively shape the future of the community.
“Having run for town council before, my commitment to East Zorra-Tavistock has only grown stronger. As a local business owner who is deeply involved in the community, I intimately understand the daily challenges and opportunities we face. I am running to ensure that Tavistock businesses and community groups have a strong, clear voice on the town council.”
He added he would like to bridge the gap between local government and residents, volunteers, and entrepreneurs who make the township a great place to live.
Ross said there are several key issues in the upcoming election for EZT, including supporting local economic growth and downtown revitalization.
“Having run a brick-and-mortar business for over two and a half years, I know firsthand what it takes to keep our downtown thriving. Ensuring our township has business-friendly policies is critical to maintaining local jobs and fostering a vibrant community hub.”
He would also like to attract and support more community events.
“The last time I ran for council, I campaigned on bringing a splash pad to Tavistock, and I was thrilled to see that council made it happen despite not being there to push it through. Now, I want to see a renewed focus on supporting large community gatherings. We used to host fantastic events at Queen's Park, like the Southwestern Ontario Fiddle and Stepdance Competition and the Airstream rally. I would like to see the township actively pursue and incentivize the return of events like these.”
Ross explained there needs to be more active collaboration between the township and local entrepreneurs.
“I want to see the council proactively working to attract new businesses and helping existing ones improve and expand. A thriving downtown and commercial sector are the backbone of a growing, successful township.”
He added EZT recently developed its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, and he wants to ensure the township doesn’t just sit on a document but actively executes its goals such as sustainability and economic growth with total accountability and transparency to the taxpayers.
Another issue top of mind for Ross is enhancing recreational facilities and infrastructure by building on the success of the splash pad in Tavistock.
“I want to ensure our existing recreational facilities, like the Tavistock and District Recreation Centre and our local parks, are well-maintained and future-proofed to serve our growing population and attract those larger community events.”
He added there has been an increase in truck traffic through Tavistock and some residents are concerned. Ross said he would research options for helping slow down some of that traffic and find ways to improve road safety through the village.
"Voters should know that I am a servant leader, a hard worker and a dedicated community builder. I bring a unique blend of strategic problem-solving from my decades in the software industry, combined with the on-the-ground reality of running a local business and volunteering in town,” he said.
If elected, Ross said he will bring a deep understanding of community as well as a proven track record of success.
“Whether it's managing high-value, complex projects in the corporate world or winning Oxford County's Ultimate Burger Battle at Madmash, I know how to build effective, goal-oriented teams that deliver real results. I will be a steadfast advocate for both the local businesses that drive our economy and the families and volunteers who make East Zorra-Tavistock our home.”
Ross said he is incredibly invested in the success of East Zorra-Tavistock and encouraged anyone who wants to chat about the future of the township to reach out.
“You can connect with me online or stop by the brewery to say hello. I am always eager to listen to my neighbours and learn how we can work together to make our community even better,” Ross said.
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