Community Involvement
Community Focused Leadership
I’m not afraid to fight for what’s right. I’ve argued with mayors, MPs, local power brokers and others when I thought their actions were damaging our community. Here’s one example.
More than a decade ago, the leadership of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance decided to gut health care in Wallaceburg by closing what they called the “Sydenham Campus” and replacing it with a clinic. At the Voice, we investigated the issue and found that the planned closure wasn’t based on any factual need. We reported on the work of the Save Our Sydenham committee with Jeff Wesley, Sheldon Parsons, Conrad Noel and others and did our own research using scores of sources, whose names remain confidential today. We owe them a debt we can’t publicly repay but they know who they are.
We called on the Alliance board to remove those responsible for what was taking place. We eventually urged the Local Health Integration Network to act. We faced threats, intimidation and slander, but we continued to write stories and editorials. Presented with the facts, the province intervened, local members of federal and provincial governments lent their weight to the argument and leadership changes ensued. Without the Voice making the situation too visible to ignore, we may not have seen the CKHA and its foundation evolve to the point where it is now a community champion in investing in Wallaceburg health care.
I’ve been part of scores of community initiatives (honestly, too many to count). I’ve led campaigns that have raised millions for the community. Other times, I’ve been a board or committee member, gone door-to-door, stood on street corners and or packed toys or groceries at Christmas.
I wouldn’t have accomplished a single thing on my own.
I’m tired of the trend in today’s politics where so-called leaders or online experts explain how only they alone can fix our community or society. It’s complete nonsense. Not one of us is smarter than all of us combined. We need each other, yet we spend far too much effort bashing those who don’t agree with us.
I will work with anyone who wants to move our community forward.
During a board meeting years ago, we faced a difficult decision with barely enough members present to vote on a time-sensitive issue. The person chairing the meeting looked round and said. “The world is run by those who show up,”
I promise you, I will show up.
Community Service
King Charles Coronation Medal for service to community and country.
Founding member of Wallaceburg Physician Recruitment Committee, 2025
Chair of the first Chatham-Kent United Way campaign to raise $2 million+.
Recipient of Memoire Solidarite Award from France’s National Office for Veterans and Victims of War
Multi-term Board Member of the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre.
Multi-term Board Member of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation.
Former Chamber of Commerce (Wallaceburg) Director and Economic Development Ambassador.
Three-time President of the Sydenham Community Curling Club.
Multi-term member of Chatham-Kent Big Brothers.
Former Wallaceburg Minor Baseball Executive Member.
Twice inducted into the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame.
"The world is run by people who show up."
Karen Kirkwood-Whyte