Meet the Wasaga Beach candidates

Simcoe.com – September 28 2010
Mayor
Cal Patterson
Born and raised locally in nearby Collingwood, Cal Patterson is a 30-year resident of Wasaga Beach.
He and his wife Debbie have raised four children, Becky, Carly, Bradley and Haley. They now have Haley’s husband Will and grandson Gavin.
Patterson is seeking his third term as mayor following a 12-year tenure on council; six years as a councillor and six years as the deputy mayor.
He is presently Warden of Simcoe County.
Patterson has been very active in the community for several years as he has been involved with the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the United Way, My Friend’s House, Friends of the Environment, Community Policing, Minor Baseball for 18 years as a coach, umpire and executive member and Minor Hockey as a coach for 10 years and president for three years.
Paterson was CFO, Treasurer and Financial Controller for over 35 years and retired after 18 years as the Controller of CCL Container in Penetaguishene.
www.calpatterson.com
Steven Fishman
Fishman moved to Wasaga Beach with his family in 2003 from Toronto. They used to come up to the area nearly every weekend during the summer and fell in love with the area. He has two teenage daughters, 14 and 16.
In his professional life, Fishman has always worked since leaving college in the entertainment industry, having run some of Canada’s largest live entertainment venues.
He has always followed politics and decided in 2007 to take a shot at provincial politics obtaining 26 per cent of the vote, or a little over 12,400 votes.
During the campaign he met several residents from Wasaga Beach who asked him to run for mayor because they said and he agrees, the town is going in the wrong direction and lacks a vision for the future.
Fishman currently serves on the executive of both the Provincial and Federal Green Party in our riding of Simcoe Grey.
www.voteforsteve.ca
Deputy mayor
David Foster
David Foster was born in Montreal, but grew up in Toronto. He is the youngest of six children.
Foster has been married to his wife Jill for 24 years and they have two daughters, Alexandra and Kirsten who are both at University.
He said they are now empty nesters!
Foster attended St Michael’s College School and completed an Honours Bachelor of Science at University of Guelph.
He worked originally in social services, but switched into banking 21 years ago. He had several promotions, which allowed him to live and work in several communities around Ontario – the last 15 right here in Wasaga. He is presently a financial advisor at the local Scotiabank.
Foster is also a marathon runner, tri-athlete, cyclist, fundraiser and coach.
He said he has been honoured to serve for seven years on council, including four as deputy mayor and county councillor, and will continue to deliver responsible, accountable and balanced leadership. Experience Matters!
www.wasagadave.com
Sandy Smardenka
A few years ago, with husband Alex, and sons Tino, Phil and Chris, Sandy Smardenka took a “leap of faith” and opened Boston Pizza Stonebridge Town Centre.
Boston Pizza had been open only one year when she opened Swiss Chalet.
Originally from Italy, her family moved here in 1964. Smardenka was brought up in a very strict Italian home, filled with love and great expectations to always succeed at your tasks. Smardenka has never forgotten these values.
She is now ready, willing and able to take a new “leap of faith” and be deputy mayor.
Smardenka has been a part-time resident of the Georgian Triangle since 1989, and chose Wasaga Beach as her permanent home.
“I promise to up hold our values, cherish our warmth and charm, but to also move us forward, as we celebrate our small business, bring families back to the beach, and provide more amenities for seniors. We need to create and preserve jobs, and keep our economy stimulated. I will do it,” she said.
www.electsandy.com
Councillor
George Watson
George Watson has been in Wasaga Beach every year of his life, as his family vacationed here every summer.
His grandparents moved to Wasaga in 1960 and his family followed in 1968. Watson graduated from Collingwood Collegiate Institute, and his first summer job was at the Dyconia at age 16.
He attended York University, but had to give up his university dreams, returning home to help his grandmother due to her failing health.
Watson began a real estate career in Wasaga Beach in 1971, and operated and managed a brokerage until 1995 when he formed his own real estate company.
He and his wife Mary raised four children, all attending Worsley (Oxbow) Public School and CCI.
Watson is an active member of Rotary, the Wasaga Cruisers and the Builders’ Association. As councillor, he belongs to various organizations and committees and also enjoys downhill skiing, snowmobiling and golfing.
He has a history of volunteering and serving the community.
www.watsoncouncil.com
Tracy Rafter
Tracy Rafter lives in the Beach 6 area and has been a year-round resident for eight years.
She is a frontline worker for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services with the Parole Board.
In this position Rafter provides quality assurance and assist victims of crime who are participating in parole hearings. She is an active volunteer in the community.
Rafter has followed the successes of the current council and looks forward to an opportunity to work with the dedicated town staff. She decided to run for councillor as part of her need to be involved and connected with her community. She believes her abilities and energy would be an asset on council.
All teams benefit from the diversity of experience and the abilities that each brings to the table, she said.
Contact Rafter with your concerns for Wasaga Beach and a flyer at 429-0275.
Rafters@rogers.com
Rafter is on Facebook.
Nina Bifolchi
Nina Bifolchi is a wife, mother and part of four generations living in Wasaga Beach. She grew up in Caledon East and moved to Wasaga Beach in 2003.
She and her husband Anthony were married in 1994 and have three boys aged 10, 12 and 13. 
Bifolchi has many personal experiences to draw from when making decisions at the council table: as a parent, resident, volunteer, business owner and as a town councillor. She grew up in a family that owned and operated a business and said the experience makes her a valuable contributor at the council table. 
Outside of Bifolchi’s council responsibilities she is co-chair of the Adopt-a-Road program, secretary for the Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey Association and a member of the 714 Air Cadet Sponsoring committee. 
Bifolchi is looking for re-election because she feels she can continue to make a difference.
www.ninabifolchi.com
Kelly Robertson
Kelly Robertson was born in Toronto but raised in Nobel, Ont.
He started his working life with the City Of Etobicoke working in the Engineering, Clerks and Finance departments.
With partners, Robertson purchased a printing business in Brampton, Bramalea Printing and expanded to include two additional locations in Mississauga.
In Brampton he served on governing council for the Brampton Board of Trade and is Past President and Paul Harris Fellow with the Brampton Rotary Club.
Robertson served as president of the Meadowvale Village Community Association for two years, where he lived with his wife Ann and son Michael, and was successful in having it designated Ontario’s first heritage district.
In 1987 he helped form a business forms manufacturing company. He sold in 1999 but continued to work with the company as a marketing consultant until June when he retired.
After his wife Ann lost her battle with cancer he moved to the area.
kellywasaga@gmail.com
Stan Wells
Stan Wells was born in the Town of Weston and attended Weston Memorial School, Weston Senior Public School and Weston Collegiate and then attended Wilfred Laurier University and University of Toronto (OISE).
Wells moved to Wasaga Beach 40 years ago to teach at Oxbow Park Public School (now Worsley Elementary) and retired after 30 years as a teacher, vice principal, principal and supervisory officer with the Simcoe County District School Board and the provincial Ministry of Education.
He and his wife Betty have four adult children, Jon (and Carolyn), Michael, Melissa and Matt. Three reside in Wasaga Beach and one in Collingwood.
Wells enjoys woodworking, and he and Betty enjoy trailer camping and motorcycle touring. 
He is proud to have contributed to the progress of the town over the past seven years and sincerely want to continue to represent the residents and businesses of Wasaga Beach in the decision making process.
bs.wells@sympatico.ca
Connie Gray
Connie Gray grew up visiting Wasaga Beach from the time she was three. After being a seasonal resident for three years, she and her husband moved themselves and their families (in-laws and her mother) to Wasaga.
They have been permanent residents for nine years.
Gray went to York University (BA, BEd), and then Dalhousie (MA) and returned to Toronto to begin her teaching career, got married and had three children. Her family owns Wasaga Sands Golf and Big Shots.
Gray now work as a consultant for the Simcoe County District School Board.
She said she is running for council again because she has the experience and skills necessary to make Wasaga an even better place to live, work, play and prosper. Gray brings to the table people skills, understanding of community (M.A. Sociology) and business mindedness.
Finally, I’m honest, hard working and make decisions that are best for the community, she said.
conniegray@rogers.com
Ron Anderson
Ron Anderson’s family has owned a cottage in Wasaga Beach since 1949. He visited the cottage regularly until he purchased his own home in Wasaga in 1992.
He worked summers at the main end for Conklin Shows running the amusement rides.
Anderson received his Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University in 1982 and earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1984.
Anderson was Vice President of Finance for a large multi-national corporation, a job that required worldwide travel to places such as England, Australia and the United States.
In 1997 Anderson opened his own accounting practice and was finally able to fulfill a lifelong dream of living and working in Wasaga Beach. He was a member of Wasaga town council from 2003 to 2006 and lost his bid to become mayor in the 2006 election.
Anderson looks forward to contributing his financial skills during this period of great change and growth.
randerson@on.aibn.com
Gary Cerantola
Gary Cerantola is a chemical engineer and chemist and has a Masters of Business Administration Degree.
He is currently a professor at Georgian College and an on-line professor for both Meritus and Phoenix Universities.
Cerantola is a member of the Meritus University Academic Council.
For over 25 years he held vice president, management and technical roles in hydro and telecommunications.
Cerantola has 13 years of board of director experience. He chaired finance, audit, community relations, executive compensation and strategic planning committees for the Worker’s Compensation Board, Association of the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured and Credit Unions at the local and provincial levels.
Cerantola is a management consultant. He led a $55-million broadband network proposal for municipal and residential high-speed Internet connections on behalf of five towns and a county.
For six years, Cerantola owned and operated indoor air and water purity and security systems businesses.
Facebook: Gary Cerantola
Twitter: votegaryc
e-mail: gcerant1@gmail.com
http://blogs.myspace.com/549119430
Morley Bercovitch
Morley Bercovitch has been dedicated to the community for the past 26 years.
His public service record speaks highly of his commitment to the Beach. His credentials include working on the Wasaga Distribution Board of Directors for the past seven years. Through his community involvement as past director of Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the first Probus Club and of the River Resources Committee, on which he served for 14 years, as well as owner of the former IGA on Mosley Street, he has gained invaluable experience and insight as to how the town works together to make decisions. Being chosen Citizen of the Year in 1993 was one of his proudest moments.
Bercovitch is a businessman who fully understands the difference between budgetary necessities and departmental wishes and will work hard to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely.
He promises full-time devotion of his time and energy and a common sense approach to the individual and collective needs of Wasaga Beach.
www.votemorley.com
Beverly Wood
Having been very involved in the community for the past seven years, Beverly Wood currently sits on the board of the Georgian Triangle Tourism Association and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
She has previously been involved in the Wasaga Beach Woman’s Business Association and founded the Annual Veteran’s Luncheon, now in its sixth year.
Wood has owned and operated a successful restaurant in town for the past six years, for which she won Business of the Year, Business Ambassador, Service Excellence Awards and was recently awarded the Order of Wasaga Beach. 
She believes her personal accomplishments speak demonstrably to the vast opportunities for economic and social growth with the shared responsibility of running the business that is the Town of Wasaga Beach.
This election will determine the future direction the town takes on many fronts including quality of life, economy, growth, taxation and environment, she said.
woodbeverly@rocketmail.com
Darlene Watters
Darlene Watters is a website designer and musician, born in Glace Bay, N.S., and raised in the east end of Toronto. 
As a teenager, Watters planned to be a classical flautist with the Royal Military Band of Canada but after being turned down by the military, landed elsewhere in the music industry.
For 20 years she performed throughout Canada, the United States and overseas including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Japan. 
In 1991, she and her husband Rick bought a home in Wasaga Beach. 
Concerned by the rapid “clear-cut” development, Watters waded into the political arena.
She remains convinced that people would embrace pedestrian friendly planning, which preserves the natural beauty of Wasaga Beach while connecting the community and improving business, if they just knew more about it, she said. 
Wasaga Beach is still the most beautiful place in all of Ontario but it will be just another cookie-cutter town if we don’t act fast.
www.darlenewatters.com
Sam Moncada
Sam Moncada is a successful entrepreneur, champion fundraiser, and a leader in Toronto’s not-for-profit sector, dedicated to youth development.
Moncada has been married to Angela for 27 years and they have three grown children. He was born and raised in Toronto. He now calls Wasaga Beach and Toronto his home with residences in both communities.
Presently Moncada’s responsibilities include a role as President of COPA (Canadian Office Products Association). His business experience includes senior executive positions at Hewlett Packard, Honeywell and Axidata.
In addition, Moncada is proud to be President and CEO of Sweet Tooth Candy Emporium, a family owned and operated business with multiple locations in Ontario. The first location was in Wasaga Beach.
The founder and President of Scarborough Basketball Association (SBA), one of the largest and most successful youth Basketball programs in Canada, is another one of Moncada’s accomplishments.