By Gazette Staff
June 11th, 226
BURLINGTON, ON
It is now official: Shawna Stolte will not run for the ward seat she holds.
After chairing the worst Council meeting I have ever seen, it is perhaps wise to bow out now.
I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you, before I make it public, that after long and careful consideration I have made the decision that it is time for me to say goodbye.
These past 8 years have been some of the most challenging, rewarding, frustrating, gratifying, complicated, fulfilling, thought-provoking and stimulating years of my career and I will forever cherish the experience, memories and relationships that I had the good fortune to form over my time as your Ward 4 City and Regional Councillor.
Shawna Stolte
When I look back to 2018, when I was a fresh, new candidate I ran on a platform of empowering residents, promoting initiative such as the Private Tree Bylaw, flood mitigation strategies, attainable housing, fiscal accountability and improved public transit.
I had no idea how challenging it would be to achieve these goals…but I am so proud to be able to finish my time on Council knowing that I affected positive change on the mandate that I was elected to do.
Part of my decision-making process not to run for re-election was based on a need to feel confident that a quality candidate was stepping up to take over the reins in Ward 4.
To that end, I am so pleased to heartily endorse Chris Carter for Ward 4 City and Regional Councillor in Burlington.
Chris Carter
Chris has spent the last 25+ years building businesses and organizations here in Burlington, mentoring leaders and showing up whenever the community needed a hand. Chris has been deeply involved with R.O.C.K Reach Out Centre for Kids and Nelson Youth Centre serving as a volunteer, board member and Chairman. Chris is well known for having co-founded Burlington Dads, a registered not-for-profit of with over 7,000 members that has raised well over $1 million for local charities and families.
Chris Carter is an established leader in the community, a mentor, and an amazing advocate for Ward 4 and I will be very proud to pass the torch to him come the election in October.
Thank you again Ward 4 for granting me the honour of representing you over the past 8 years and stay well,
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Shawna will be missed by the residents of Ward 4. She was really good at responding to requests and representing us. Thank you for your service.
I’m so glad she has chosen not to run. As a Ward 4 resident, Stolte has been MIA on several concerns I have raised with her. And she has aided and abetted the pillaging of the taxpayers of Burlington during her term in office.
Ms Hersh
I agree with you Ms. Hersh. It’s not only council members but City staff generally all dress like slobs.
Current Council members should not be endorsing any Candidates for the upcoming Municipal Election in October 2026.
This is very Unprofessial.
Let the Voters decide!!
Graham
This photo was probably one that the gazette had on hand.
It doesn’t represent an accurate picture of how he dresses or his ability to be a good councillor.
Have you seen how some of the present council dresses, when they represent Burlington?
Penny – but in a jacket Mr. Carter would not be able to show off his “pipes”. Also, the photo comes from his campaign website – not from the Gazette.
All that extraneous “stuff” said, I believe that it is highly inappropriate for Stolte to openly endorse anyone. What she does privately is her own business but it’s just bad protocol to make a public statement supporting a particular candidate at this point. Stolte has been a major disappointment and, in her exit, she remains so. She had an opportunity to speak frankly about her experience at Council and, in particular, what it has been like being part of a Meed Ward administration and a personal target. That she failed to do so should not be presented as ‘taking the high road’. It reflects a lack of moral strength that has characterized her performance and constrained her ability to effectively represent her constituents. It is good that she has decided to move on.
Thank you Shauna for 8 years of honest and dedicated public service. I moved to Burlington 7 years ago and live in Ward 4, and have followed city council matters with great interest. I attended your phone consultations and updates during COVID, your presentation on housing issues at Port Nelson, and met you at your coffee and chat meetings. I read your informative newsletters regularly. You should be so proud of your accomplishments, and communicating complex issues to us. I especially thank you for your work on housing policy and initiatives. In a province as wealthy as ours no one should be unhoused- it’s a disgrace and I know you feel as strongly about it as I do. Best wishes for the next chapter and hope you will still be involved with civic engagement one way or another.
Pretty sad endorsement
I may be old school but I like to see a candidate in Business Attire.