Your Community ~ Your Voice

Your Representative

Jim Blake: Proven Leadership For Wallaceburg

and Surrounding Area

WARD 5

As a proud, third-generation resident, my roots and heart are deeply embedded in Wallaceburg. Our community deserves stable leadership, built on experience and unwavering dedication. With a successful corporate career, experience managing large and small workforces, and co-ownership of a local business, The Chatham Voice, I bring a unique blend of skills and a commitment to community service.

About Jim Blake

I grew up on Lafontaine Street across the road from Blake’s Plumbing and Heating, a business owned by my parents, Jim and Grace (who was always called Jean when I was growing up) and my uncle. My three sisters all live in the area. I have been blessed with two sons and a daughter. After my wife died in 2015, I was fortunate enough to find love again with a Chatham lady whose grandfather, Clyde Woodrow, was a lifelong Wallaceburg resident and Dominion Glass worker whose picture is on display at the museum.

I started my career here as a reporter at the Chatham Daily News bureau on Nelson Street before moving up the ranks and becoming that newspaper’s first editor and publisher from Wallaceburg. Later in my corporate career, I tried to buy the Courier Press, but some folks in London (with lots more money) beat me to it. They hired me as publisher as a consolation prize, lol. I’m the co-owner of the Chatham Voice (with Bruce Corcoran), which we founded in 2013. I also served as corporate communications officer with the municipality before retiring from full-time work in 2022. I’ve contributed stories and photos as needed since that time.

My Commitment To Wallaceburg

Experience you can trust

With a background managing workforces of over 100 people in various environments, I have the proven ability to lead and make effective decisions for our community.

My Work Background

Community-focused leadership

Having co-owned a successful local business and received awards for community service, I understand the importance of local prosperity and engagement.

Community Involement

Building relationships

My approach is centered on collaboration and building strong relationships, fostering an environment of progress and mutual respect for Wallaceburg.

Local Connections

A Vision for Wallaceburg

I am dedicated to crafting a future for Wallaceburg that is both prosperous and inclusive, ensuring the voices of all residents are heard and valued.

My Vision for the Future

Endorsements

I was encouraged to learn that Jim Blake is running to serve as a Councillor for Ward 5 in the 2026 municipal election. Jim has been imbedded in our community for decades. As a newspaper reporter, editor and publisher he has studied and developed a deep understanding of the issues affecting our community. He also served as the Communications lead for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent offering him the opportunity to learn about the workings of local government. Both as a journalist and a Communications Officer he was prepared to ask the tough questions, listen to people and to honestly communicate the critical issues of the day. Jim is thoughtful, committed to our community and consistently demonstrates his personal integrity. We would be fortunate to have Jim Blake serve as a member of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Council.

Don Shropshire
Chief Administrative Officer, 2012 to 2022
Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Having known Jim Blake for many years I have respected his journalistic career, admired his years of volunteerism for various entities and appreciated his contributions as a member of the Sydenham Community Curling Club.

Jim possesses a strong knowledge base regarding Wallaceburg. Couple this with his experience as a Communication Officer for the Municipality and you have someone with qualities and skills that would be invaluable to Wallaceburg as a Councillor. Jim is articulate, approachable and has a deep sense of community.

These are challenging times for our community and Wallaceburg deserves strong representation. Jim would definitely advocate for Wallaceburg providing informed insight and clarity specific to the needs, issues and concerns facing our community.

I urge you to vote for Jim Blake in the upcoming election as a Councillor for Wallaceburg.

S. Jane Manneke, Legal Assistant and Wallaceburg Resident

We have known Jim since the early 1970's. Jim and I played ball together for the Wallaceburg Warriors Sr team. Yes, a team where we worked together and were successful as a team.

Jim is honest and lives with integrity, is a loyal friend, and a good person. As a Newspaper Reporter, he reports the facts and will search information. Jim will hear the people’s needs and will work hard for our Wallaceburg community as he represents us at council meetings.

Jim will be great representation for our Wallaceburg community. We believe Jim will be our Wallaceburg Ward 5 elected candidate in the upcoming municipal elections.

OUR VOTE will be for JIM BLAKE for Wallaceburg Ward 5

Todd and Debra Gurd, Wallaceburg Residents

I would if I could!

Wishing you all the best, Jim! You'll make a great representative for your Ward.

Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, Former CK Councillor,

I've known Jim Blake for many years. First through baseball, but more recently with the Sydenham Community Curling Club.

It's here I grew a great respect for Jim and his tireless work on the Curling Club Executive.

Jim showed a real dedication to getting things done. He helped mould the club into a fun, inclusive organization. He put others first and tried to address any issues which arose.

It's this experience which convinces me he would do the same as a successful candidate for council in ward 5

Harry Courtis, Chatham-Kent Resident

"I've known Jim personally and professionally for many years. His principled character and journalism experience are reflected in every accomplishment. He's prepared, thoughtful, knows the right questions to ask, and listens to concerns. Highly approachable with a strong work ethic, Jim is a critical thinker, a strong leader, and an effective communicator. He will serve the people of Chatham-Kent with integrity and honesty."

Art Stirling, former Councillor Chatham-Kent, YMCA Development Officer

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How to help

Jim Blake for WARD 5