Discussion Responses - Wilmot - Wellsley Townships candidates

Tammy Gaudun Gies



First, let me say I love this style of civic action! I feel there is much apathy in the community. Initiatives like yours make municipal elections much more accessible, transparent, and easy to understand for local residents! Thank you for your work on this!

Leadership style: I grew up as an athlete on team sports and have always valued collaborative leadership groups. This allows for more voices, more expertise, more perspectives to be considered in decision making. I'm also a teacher, and a deep-diver of knowledge and information. I like to know all of the information before I make a decision. If I don't know, I will reach out to those who have a better perspective. I also worked in corporate communications before becoming a teacher, and my role often facilitated two-way communication between upper management and employees. As a councillor, I would want to facilitate two-way communication between council and residents.




On a side note, when I threw my hat in the ring, Stephanie Goertz (running for mayor of Wilmot) reached out to me, asked for my opinions on issues and offered to help me navigate this process. I really feel like those traits would make her a good leader/mayor.




Question 2:

• Protecting Farmland & Local Heritage: This was the main impetus of getting me involved in local politics. Thoughtless planning - prime farmland is a nonrenewable resource. Destroying it could only have negative long-term outcomes. Current regional pressure is pushing to rapidly over-develop rural townships like Wilmot into high-density industrial commuter hubs. While I am not anti-development, my priority is keeping our prime agricultural land and local farm community at the core of Wilmot's identity.
• Smart, Family-Centric Growth: Growth in Wilmot should focus on creating genuine small-town neighbourhoods where families can put down roots—not uncoordinated commuter hotspots. Development must come with the local services, infrastructure, and community amenities that current and future residents actually need to thrive. Growth designed for residents first, not industry.
• Water & Environmental Security: Waterloo Region faces significant long-term infrastructure and water capacity constraints. As an environmentalist, I believe it is far more efficient to invest in green practices and protect our water resources now than to attempt costly fixes later. Development must strictly align with our water table limits and environmental safeguards.
• Fiscal Responsibility & Property Taxes: Taxpayers are facing unprecedented financial strain. My plan calls for re-evaluating municipal spending and finding efficiencies before property taxes are increased. Growth must pay for growth—existing residents should not be saddled with the tax burden for rushed development.
• As always, reach out with any follow ups!

Tammy Gaudun Gies

Candidate for Councillor, Ward 3 – Wilmot Township

Protecting what we love!

tammygaudungies.wixsite.com/tammy-gaudun-gies-ca

c1065martin@gmail.com

Question 1

Why do you feel that you should represent your community as Mayor?

First and foremost, I care deeply about my community and the people who live here. It’s been an incredible place to raise my family and I feel blessed and want the same for others.

I also believe strongly in community service. To do my part to make where I live a better place. Over my life I have volunteered with many community organizations and I see being Mayor an extension of this work.

I think my skill set acquired as an entrepreneur and business owner is invaluable to being mayor and chief executive of the township. Strategic planning and thinking with strong fiscal responsibilities are something I do everyday. In the organizations I’ve worked in – both volunteer and business – I’ve a proven record of listening and building consensus. It takes hard work and patience but is critical to getting things done.

And finally, for democracy. I think people need to have a choice. The mayor was acclaimed in the last election and that is not good for our township. Beating someone gives the winner a mandate…a stronger voice in their role because it was legitimized by a race. Win or lose, I will be proud to have participated.



Question 2

Were you encouraged to run for public office and if so by whom?

Ironically, Joe Nowak the incumbent. He is a good friend and mentor and has encouraged me to take this step for over 6 years.

Tammy Gaudun Gies

Thanks for your questions.




Question 1: The real push on this one was the land acquisition and the threat of an AI Data Centre. I couldn't believe that the government would consider Wilmot a good host for such a project. I was angry at what was being done, and how it was being done: to force farmers from their land with the threat of expropriation?! The more research I did on data centres, the more concerned I became for the impacts it might have on a farming community, from the constant low hum, and how the emf frequencies affect birds and bats. After that, the changes kept flooding in: from aggressive development plans between Wilmot and Baden to building on flood plains. And from what I was seeing on the Wilmot social media pages, most of the people felt the same way I did. I had always considered getting involved with politics, but the changes that were happening made me want to ensure there was a voice of strong opposition on Council.




Question 2:

Family and friends were observing my increasing number of posts about the issues in Wilmot. I have always been politically engaged and vocal, staying well informed and actively involved in the issues that matter to our community. When I asked my husband what he thought about me running, he was like, "It was only a matter of time!" When I consulted with friends and family, they echoed his sentiments. I started off with talking to our hockey families. My three daughters play for the Wilmot Wolverines, and I had some good conversations with them while I was collecting my signatures to run.




I also teach grade 5 social studies where we cover the levels of government. Even my students always asked, "Why don't you run?" when they saw how passionate I was about the importance of political engagement. While not a driving factor, it was definitely in the back of my mind when I threw my hat in the ring




Hope that helps and let me know if you have any further questions!



Thanks!



Tammy Gaudun Gies

Home | Tammy Gaudun Gies Ca


lucylantzward2@gmail.com

I appreciate you reaching out, and I'm happy to answer your questions.



Why do you feel that you should represent your community as councillor?



I believe I represent a unique perspective in our community. My husband and I are farmers, and we love the land we live on. Our farm has been in the family for four generations (our daughters the fifth) and so we live closely to the history of our region. I care deeply about maintaining Wilmot’s small town feel, its agricultural roots, and honouring the work of those who built this township.

Also, I’m young and I’m in the thick of raising my family. I have my eye on the future of this township. How will it look and feel in twenty years? Will my kids be able to afford to live here? Will it be a place they want to live?

I think holding both of these perspectives enables me to be a strong advocate for many of Wilmot’s residents, those of us who are looking forward, and those of us who want to preserve the current good.



Were you encouraged to run for public office and if so by whom?

I felt quite honoured by my family and friends who encouraged me to run. These conversations were instrumental in me making the decision to put my name forward. Beyond my immediate sphere, I reached out to a few current members of Wilmot council, as well as elected officials from other municipalities to learn more about the role before I made my decision. Each of them were encouraging of my decision.



All the best,

Lucy Lantz
Ward Two Councillor Candidate