Tecumseh Voters Send Brian Houston to the Sidelines in Ward 4

Cheryl Hardcastle has reclaimed her seat on the Tecumseh council, defeating incumbent Brian Houston in the Ward 4 race. The former deputy mayor and federal member of parliament secured 781 votes, while Houston gathered 638.

Hardcastle attributed her return to local politics to a desire to apply her professional background to neighborhood issues. She stated, “I still had energy left after I retired and I said, you know what, I just want to focus on my neighbourhood. I want to focus on my town and bringing some of the experience that I have.”

The new councillor emphasized her comfort with cross-level cooperation. “I don’t want to seem arrogant and just say like I’m coming in and and I know what’s best, but I do understand how to collaborate. I’ve worked at every level of government,” Hardcastle said. She expressed interest in working with county officials, noting that several current mayors and deputy mayors were former colleagues.

Hardcastle identified growth-related traffic and resident communication as immediate priorities. She proposed reinstating advisory committees that Tecumseh previously eliminated. These groups would provide feedback on heritage, arts and culture, and parks and recreation.

“In Tecumseh, we got rid of advisory committees, and I’d like to bring those back. Maybe a few of those committees that can help and give us some feedback with regards to some of the assets like heritage, arts and culture, things like that, parks and recreation,” she said.

Participation in the municipal election stood at 47.4 per cent.