From accounting to accountability, Janice Lewis believes in good governance for the township she calls home.
The Wellington North resident owns and operates Along the Picket Fence tea room in Mount Forest, and her family has resided in the area for close to 200 years. She cares deeply for the fiscal and cultural health of her community, and recently announced her intention to run for the position of mayor in the upcoming fall election.
“The well being of these lands and people is of genuine concern to me,” said Lewis. “This is why I have chosen to run as the Wellington North municipal leader.”
In addition to owning and operating her own business for 30 years, Lewis is a certified taxation accountant, aiding business in every avenue of taxation for the past two decades. She has worked in all sectors of business, from the controller of Toronto Unionized Construction companies to her local bakery, and assisted many government bodies in the area of taxation; be it GST, PST, union dues, corporate or personal taxes.
As a certified network administrator, she has set up complicated financial accounting computer programs and systems. She feels municipal and economic growth requires detailed analysis to ensure Wellington North is making the best, most informed, decisions it possibly can.
No stranger to the world of politics either, Lewis is currently treasurer of the Federal Wellington Perth Association. One of her first orders of business, should she become mayor, is to freeze the raise of property taxes, and work to eliminate the first payment of property tax. She also feels it is important to freeze any increase of municipal salaries and wages.
“In today’s growing computerized world, we need knowledgeable people in areas of power,” she said. “I see people on the street right now with not a lot. We need to take control of Wellington North and set an example for other municipalities to follow.”
Through volunteering and working with churches, schools and service clubs, Lewis has seen the value of providing positive opportunities for youth. She hopes to expand avenues for youth entrepreneurship, and create jobs for young people within the municipality.
Lewis said she has driven the highways of Toronto and does not want to see that happen here. She hopes to bring fiscal responsibility to Wellington North, and said the community is well positioned to attract the affluent as the economy gains momentum in the future.
“I will work to bring well being to our agricultural sector, our youth sector, and our downtown commercial sector,” she said, offering good luck to her fellow mayoral candidates. “Let’s continue with our tradition of prominence.”