Former four-term mayor says experience, community connections and financial responsibility are driving his campaign
Stephen Molnar is seeking a return to Tillsonburg Town Council in this fall's municipal election, four years after losing his bid for another term as mayor.
Molnar, who has served a total of four terms as Tillsonburg mayor as well as two terms as a councillor, says he has remained active in the community since leaving municipal office.
He says he believes his experience, connections and knowledge of municipal government can still be put to work for Tillsonburg residents.
Molnar is running for a councillor's seat this time, rather than seeking the mayor's position again.
He says that's a deliberate choice after years of devoting much of his time to the mayor's job — including, at times, 80 to 90 hours a week.
Molnar says he has also put some aspects of his own life on hold during his years as mayor, and believes a seat on council would allow him to continue contributing to the community while giving him more balance.
Financial responsibility is one of the main themes of Molnar's campaign.
He says municipal revenues belong to the people of Tillsonburg, rather than to the corporation itself, and believes council needs to make responsible use of all the financial tools available to it.
Molnar says taxation was historically kept at a moderate level during his time in municipal leadership, and argues the town needs to be responsible with taxpayers' money while still providing opportunities for local businesses and industry.
Molnar also points to the relationships he's maintained at the regional and provincial levels as an asset he would bring back to council.
He says those connections could help provide opportunities and financial incentives for the community, while his approach to public service would continue to be based on transparency and what he describes as a relationship of trust with residents.
Outside municipal politics, Molnar remains active in the community through the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club and Rural Roads Health Services. He also serves on the board of the Ontario College of Pharmacists and as a regional board member for Southwestern Ontario Public Health.
Molnar says his decision to run again comes down to a willingness to contribute what he's learned through his years in municipal politics.
He is seeking a councillor's seat in the October 26 municipal election.
Voters who would like more information about his campaign can contact Stephen Molnar at 519-983-8683 or VoteMolnar@execulink.com
