OPEN INVITATION TO THE OPENING OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN OFFICE OF TAMARA STOMP on

Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

147 Park Street, Kingsville, Ontario

Local lawyer and advocate, Tamara Stomp, seeks to be elected as the Mayor of Kingsville.  “I registered on the first day I could because I was ready. I am not indecisive about this.  I have been watching Kingsville politics from the sidelines. Now is the time,” Stomp says.  Born and raised in Kingsville, Stomp has deep roots in the community where her parents owned a grocery store and her father was elected to Kingsville council and volunteered extensively with the Lion’s Club. Stomp is in her 42^nd year of practicing high conflict family law litigation, still finding time to contribute to various community groups and causes.

Stomp has been in elections before.  From 1995-1999 she was elected by her peers to the governing board of the Law Society of Ontario.  First elected to public office as a councillor in 2003 and again in 2006, she was acclaimed in 2010 as Deputy Mayor of Kingsville. She has served on almost every committee including Kingsville’s past Planning, Heritage Advisory, Parks and Recreation, Port Authority, Migration Festival, Active Transportation, BIA, Personnel and Economic Development Committees.   She served 11 years on the governing board of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, sparking an interest in climate and watershed concerns. As Deputy Mayor she also served on Essex County Council from 2010-2014, sitting on the Windsor Essex County Environment Committee and Windsor Essex County Health Unit, making regional decisions regarding EMS, the Library Board, County owned care homes, and roads/development.

Stomp says, “As Kingsville’s elected Mayor I will already be familiar with local and regional municipal representatives and issues. Sitting on so many different boards and committees over the years means I have a good working knowledge of duties, obligations, ethics, strategic plans, forecasting, financial statements, regulatory bodies, legislation, promotion, etc.  I know there is a world of difference in being a member of a committee versus a Chair and already have the developed skillset for the job.”  Currently, she is the Past Chair of the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women, Vice President of the Friends of the Court-Mackenzie Hall, and President of the Friends of John R. Park Homestead, and Political Moderator, Speaker and Presenter for various events and causes.

Stomp has specific goals if elected to be Kingsville’s Mayor. She promises to really listen to hear and respect the concerns of citizens as well as other stakeholders and will manage the town’s growth in a sensitive and positive way.  She will be inclusive and a team-player, and above all wants to be sensitive to the presenters’ attendance before Council.  “Not all people are regular public speakers like I am, and some are nervous making a presentation before Council, especially about something so important to themselves,” says Stomp.

Fascinated by Planning principles since her first day on the municipal job in 2003, Stomp reads about planning and environmental issues for leisure. She says, “I involve myself with other groups and causes, because I feel obligated to lend my voice to help where needed.  Because of its geographic position, Kingsville is naturally diverse and has an obligation to protect the lake, interior waterways, farms and fields, flora and fauna, especially waterfowl, raptors, and butterflies. Stomp is a huge fan of Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary. With climate change concerns, and then COVID, the ballgame for sustainability became serious.” Stomp is very interested in regional solutions, saying, “We have good neighbouring municipalities who have similar problems to face in the future as we do.  We are doing well in so many ways right now, but Kingsville needs to put a new lens on our rose-coloured glasses.”

Stomp believes Kingsville is at a crossroads, and the path of growth might get difficult in the future, with so many issues and factions.  She says, “This is not my father’s Kingsville, but it is still the beloved Kingsville, with children of residents returning to raise their children here, and new residents flocking to its amenable atmosphere.  Issues of affordable housing, the greenhouse effect, retaining businesses, shorefront access, light, air and water pollution, all these issues need further addressing.”

Stomp says she is old enough to remember the days when municipal council was told its only job was to provide the 3P’s of ‘pipes, police and pavement’.  But that has given way to the new version of ‘people, places and passion’, each of which Kingsville has excelled at, she says.  She points out that Kingsville is now well known as a restaurant, beer, wine, cycling, nature, music, arts and history hotspot. Stomp looks forward to more lanes dedicated for active transportation to school and workplaces.  She is also looking to lay the groundwork for long term planning, envisioning for 7 generations forward where appropriate. Stomp says, “Living for the moment is fine for a vacation, but not when planning for a growing community that generations can enjoy.”  Stomp has her eye on preserving the legacy Kingsville will leave to its children’s children.

Stomp is excited and ready for the job of Mayor of the Town of Kingsville. Join her for the Opening of her Campaign Office on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The White House, located at 147 Park Street, Kingsville, on the hill above the Kingsville harbour.

Kingsville needs a leader with experience, knowledge, and integrity.

Tamara Stomp has the qualifications for the job!