The Customer Service Specialist at St. Thomas Rent-All jokes that his five children are at the age “where they don’t necessarily want me at the house anymore.”
And, Mountenay has logged experience in the council chamber at city hall. While he was in high school from 2005 through 2007, he was videotaping the proceedings for Rogers.
“So it is good timing that the kids are finally at that age that I can start doing some other things.”
He is well known in the community through his involvement with the Optimist Softball League, soccer, and the Elgin Theatre Guild.
So, a return to the council chamber in an official capacity is an appealing prospect for Mountenay.
His dad ran for Central Elgin council, but lost by a slim margin to Sally Martyn.
As for campaign issues, we began with housing.
Mountenay continued, “Even the discounted housing that St. Thomas does have, it’s usually 80 per cent of the market rate.
“We need to, as a city, start to realize that that level, 80 per cent of the market value, isn’t necessarily an attainable amount. We need to be realistic on what people can actually afford in St. Thomas. I think all those partners in the community are doing a great job. We just need to keep on that and make sure that we’re focused on that.”
“I’m involved in the community, heavily involved, and just hoping that people will get out and vote. And I hope the vote goes for me, but if not, get out and vote and be a part of the solution. We can’t grow St. Thomas to where we want it to be if only 30 per cent vote.”
“That’s part of the looking ahead to what is going to happen with families, what people are actually bringing into St. Thomas. The battery plant, once it gets up and running, see what that looks like, in what capacity, what other industries come in here, and what other jobs come with it.
“And then, again, what are we bringing into St. Thomas other than just the jobs? Because in 2001, we had the Canada Summer Games. I don’t think we’ve had anything really that big since 2001.
Mountenay feels the rapid industrial growth in St. Thomas is starting to strain the city’s infrastructure.
And the cost of the growth: are ratepayers going to be able to handle it? The city had a six per cent property tax increase this year. And a lot of people are used to three per cent or less. Can ratepayers handle such an increase on an annual basis?
He added, “So unfortunately there are going to be more costs up front. I think that’s just a realization of whoever gets on council.”
As he campaigns, Mountenay feels name and face recognition will be a factor.
“A lot of people know if they don’t know me, they know my mom (Deb). Or if they don’t know my mom, they know my dad (Joe). Yeah. And like I said, being related to Tara (former city councillor Tara McCaulley), those are good resources out there for word of mouth.
“I’m involved in the community, heavily involved, and just hoping that people will get out and vote. And I hope the vote goes for me, but if not, get out and vote and be a part of the solution. We can’t grow St. Thomas to where we want it to be if only 30 per cent vote.”
You can visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/people/Geoff-for-St-Thomas-City-Council-2026/61591361504207/
Written by Ian McCallum
