Jeff Welsh
Courtesy Photo

IROQUOIS – Iroquois resident Jeff Welsh is hoping to become a member of the Municipality of South Dundas’ next council.

Welsh filed his nomination papers for a councillor position in the upcoming Oct. 24 municipal election. As a retired person, Welsh said he has the time to spend on being councillor, including doing the background reading necessary before council meetings.

“I’m only one vote. I’m not going to guarantee anybody that I’m going to get changes done, but I’m going to make a lot of noise. I’m going to ask a lot of questions before stuff is passed,” Welsh said. “I’m not going to be one of these guys who just sit there and say, ‘I agree’ or ‘I don’t agree,’ I’m going to ask questions.”

Welsh said he has concerns with the ways things are run at the township. He said he feels that residents aren’t being kept informed of what’s happening at the council level until it’s too late. He said he also believes not all villages within the township are treated equally.

“I will get back to the taxpayers – anybody that asked me questions, I will get back to them with an answer. I think that’s all people want. They want to know what’s going on and for people to call them back and give them the reason why this isn’t being done, or whatever, and that’s not happening right now,” he said.

Welsh has been a resident of the municipality for more than 40 years. He said those who remember him from his Snack Shack business will know that he’s “the kind of guy who shoots straight from the hip.”

“I’m going to work on whatever is best for the township, not just for one individual or two individuals, but what’s best for everybody,” he said. “I can’t make changes with one vote unless other people agree with me, but I’m going to make a lot of noise, and I’m going to have accountability one way or another.”