2014 Election Archive

I have been an active resident of Chatham-Kent area community since moving here 20 years ago with my family. I am married to Mary Clendenning Genge. We have two children, Fraser, 23, and Erin, 21. Both …attended St Mike's in Ridgetown, and UCC in Chatham. Along with Mary, I am a partner in Hub Creative Group. My volunteer experience has covered a variety of issues: Education (Blenheim Cooperative Day Care, Ridge Kids Day Care, St Mike's Parent Council), Sports (Ridgetown Minor Hockey as Trainer, Asst. Coach, Head Coach), Health Care (Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, PGH Foundation, Physician Recruitment Committee, Chatham Kent Hospice), Community Groups (Blenheim Shrine Club, Chatham and District Chamber of Commerce), Arts (Capitol Theatre), Social (Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre). One of my proudest volunteer moments was when the Chatham & District Chamber of Commerce named me 2000 Citizen of the Year for my role in raising $20 million for the expansion of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Recently Chaired the Fundraising and Building Committee for the Chatham-Kent Women’s Shelter. Now I am working on the Chatham-Kent Hospice to help raise 5 million dollars to build a residential Hospice. Why I’m running for Trustee for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board for many reasons: 1. First priority - I believe in Catholic Education. My Kids were educated at St Michael’s, in Ridgetown, and UCC, in Chatham. Having religion be part of their day, every day, gave them a strong inner faith and a better understanding of how Christianity fits in the world. It also taught them how to better deal with issues in school and community. 2. I received a Catholic education growing up and my church was my second family. I was involved in my parish growing up. It prepared me with an open mind to all the good that is in the world and how to work for positive changes that affect a broad range of people of all religions. 3. Education in all forms is important, but a Catholic education is like the “icing on the cake”…it just offers so much more. More

I am very excited and privileged to be seeking Re-election as Trustee for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. For those of you that don’t know me personally, I am currently a Youth Outreach Worker …employed at The YMCA of Sarnia Lambton with experience as an educator, trainer and public relations coordinator. I was born and raised in Sarnia and have been married for sixteen years to my husband Scott and we have two children Sammi Jo, who is 14 and in Grade 9 at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School and Nicholas, who is 10 and in Grade 5 at Holy Trinity School. I am a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. My passion is my children, which is why I initially ran for Trustee for our school board and why I continue to run. I, like many of you, want to make a difference in my children’s education. As an experienced Mom, involved parent and Youth Outreach Worker, I will use that experience and knowledge in, education, social services, labour relations, child care, and youth justice to the fullest. Over the past four years I have tried to be the voice of the parent and students on our School Board. I understand in today’s busy world the demands of teachers, parents and the students. I will continue to work hard for you and to be YOUR VOICE on the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. It has been a busy four years and it is so exciting to see the benefits of the decisions we have made in the board room come into fruition, with the opening of two brand new state of the art elementary schools St. Mathews and Holy Trinity Catholic School. Michelle is Committed to: High quality education and teacher excellence., Every child and young person in Ontario has the right and should have the opportunity to be educated in a “Healthy and safe School.”, Helping students achieve success and reach their goals., Preserving and promoting the Catholic school system., Improving programs, facilities, and resources., Improving programs for the growing needs of special education., Fiscal accountability., Increasing respect for cultural diversity., Improving access for youth to community facilities., Enhanced programming in the arts, music, and sports., Supporting parents with information and open lines of communication at every level. I hope I can count on your support, on Monday, October 25, 2010, in seeking re-election as the St. Clair Catholic District School Board Trustee, representing Sarnia schools! More

I am a candidate for Trustee - St. Clair Catholic District School Board and would appreciate your support. The obvious question is: Why should you vote for me? In short, I wish to make a positive difference. …I am a goal-oriented individual committed to excellence in public education. Having served on a number of boards, I offer the St. Clair Catholic District School Board community significant governance and board-related experience. But more importantly, I bring a new voice, fresh ideas and different outlook to the St. Clair Catholic District School Board community. Who am I? I am an active resident of Sarnia, Ontario, married with children that are currently attending our Board's schools. I am bilingual (French and English) and have served been active in the Sarnia-Lambton community. Please find below a brief professional profile, experience profile together and a snapshot of my platform. I am happy to take your calls and e-mails to discuss my candidacy. I can be reached at the following number and/or e-mail address: 519.491.6181 or at sthiffeault@cogeco.ca. Professional Profile: Corporate lawyer, author and presenter, various legal topics, former General Manager (Corporate Services), County of Lambton, former Director of Human Resources and Labour Relations, North America, (Canada and US), multinational corporation, former Partner, national business law firm. Governance Experience Profile: Private and Public sector management experience, Private and Public sector human resources and labour relations management, Budgeting/Fiscal management, Policy development, past Chair, Bluewater Health Board of Directors (2012-2014), past Treasurer, Bluewater Health Board of Directors (2010-2012), past member, Resource Utilization and Audit Committee – Bluewater Health BOD (2008-2012), past member, Governance and Nominating Committee – Bluewater Health BOD (2010-2014), past member, Executive Committee – Bluewater Health BOD (2010-2014), past member, Joint Conference Committee – Bluewater Health BOD (2012-2014), past member, Huron House Boys Home Board of Directors (2012). Platform: A new perspective. I offer a fresh perspective, new insight and a balanced outlook to the St. Clair Catholic District School Board community. Accountability: I am committed to: setting reasonable and contemporary goals and priorities for our Board and monitoring those goals and priorities with a robust system of indicators, quality education, fiscal prudence, service. Good Governance: I am quite comfortable with the regulatory environment and working with groups and advocating on behalf of the community. A team player, I am committed to the work of the Board, its vision and values and to fostering and maintaining healthy, high performing environment for all stakeholders. A new perspective. A different voice. Good Governance More

Experienced trustee. Retiree from CIBC. Past President of Sarnia Lambton United Way. Past treasures of St Edward’s CWL, Point Edward Boy Scouts and Ladies Bowling League. Past volunteer with Blue Water …Health Foundation, Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. Past member of the Minister of Education Special Education Advisory Committee. As your elected trustee I will continue to address the 2 big priorities facing all school boards at this time. Mental health issues and declining enrolment. As your trustee I have worked with our board to maximize our resources. Our board consolidated empty pupil spaces and closed empty schools. This gave our board the moneys and resources to modernize our existing schools and invest in various supplies and equipment to enhance our students educational experience. I am part of a board that has formed partnerships with our coterminous board and many agencies in both Lambton and Kent County. Through the partnership we have shared professional development in mental health issues, identifying suicide signs in our students, and building resilience in our students. This consortium also does large joint purchasing and shared banking. This has saved our board literally millions of dollars which we have redirected back into programs and services for our students. My fellow trustees from the St Clair, London District and Windsor Essex Catholic School Boards elected me to be their Director on the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association. ( OCSTA ). Where funding, curriculum and teacher contacts are controlled by the province, I am able to bring forward challenge and issues that our board faces. OCSTA prepares a Financial Brief to the Minister of Education every year. This brief makes recommendations as to where boards need increased funding and ways to do things differently to save money. As your trustee I will continue to ensure our students reach their full potential in a Christ infused atmosphere. More