Tom Fuerth, Chair

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Tom Fuerth is a retired Electrical Engineer and sessional instructor at the University of Windsor. Tom also has dedicated over 20 years to public service, first as a Councillor/Deputy Reeve/Deputy Mayor for Sandwich South, then as a Councillor in the Town of Tecumseh. He has chaired many organizations, including the Library Board, Community Health Committee, Police Service Selection Committee, Fire, Planning and Personnel Committees, and the Public Relations Committee for Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital. Tom also served as Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and is currently a Director for the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation and a member of the Tecumseh Police Service Board. This strong background in public service and leadership combined with his experience in developing consensus and team building are strong assets that Mr. Fuerth brings to the Source Protection Committee.

Charles McLean

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With 30 years spent in municipal and healthcare administration, Town of Lakeshore Councillor Charles McLean brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Source Protection Committee. "I am very pleased to be appointed to the committee," he says. "It is critical to have participation from all sectors of our community to ensure the public has confidence and access to safe and clean drinking water." Charles has also been active in a farming operation for over 35 years and is a member of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture.

Thom Hunt, MCIP, RPP

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With over 20 years of professional planning and public policy experience, this city planner's expertise will certainly benefit the Source Protection Committee. Thom is a past Conservation Planner with the regional Conservation Authority, and the former Manager of Project Green — a Sustainable Green Community Initiative of the Province. Thom is currently the Manager of Planning Policy for the Planning Department at the City of Windsor. "I am dedicated to the protection of safe drinking water for all residents, and am looking forward to the work we do resulting in major water quality improvements for the region," he says.

Bob Peterson

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Bob Peterson has been involved in municipal politics for over 18 years. He has served as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor, and is currently a Councillor for the Town of Kingsville. Bob has been a member of the Police Services Board, the Committee of Adjustment, and Planning Board, and is currently a member of the Union Water Board. "My goal is to continue to work towards achieving the protection of our water resource." Bob's 32 years experience in the agricultural field, along with his municipal experience, will assist him in achieving this goal and being an active member of the Source Protection Committee.

Mario Sonego, P.Eng

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Mario Sonego, P.Eng.: Mario is currently the Chief Building Official/City Engineer, and during his career, has had a wide range of experiences that will benefit the Source Protection Planning process. He has participated in all aspects of municipal servicing and services, has been a Development Engineer and has years of experience in approving development proposals. "I am honoured to be appointed to such a committee," he says. "I plan to work toward bringing attention to the issue of protecting drinking water at its source and promoting its importance to the public."

Antonietta Giofu, P.Eng

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Antonietta Giofu is a University of Windsor alumnus and has 10 years experience in the industrial and manufacturing field as an Environmental Engineer for Ford Motor Company and Nemak. She is currently the Environmental Services Engineer for the Town of Amherstburg in the Water and Wastewater Department. "I am very excited to be a part of this important committee and look forward to doing my part in protecting our drinking water sources," she says. Antonietta is hoping to use her experience in both the industrial and manufacturing fields as well as her experience in the Municipal sector to assist the committee in achieving its goal of safe drinking water.

John Barnett

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A sheep and cattle farmer from Kingsville, John has served as the Past President of the Essex Christian Farmers, Past Vice President District One Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, and is a 4H Leader. He is also a support of the Friends of Wigle Creek, is a member of ERCA's Agricultural Liaison Committee and a proponent of establishing a local food network. With all this experience at hand, it's no wonder that John was chosen by the agricultural community to be one of their two representatives. "I am very excited about being involved in protecting one of our most vital resources: clean water," he says. "My father predicted many years ago that in my lifetime, we'd be heavily involved in water related issues. I am hoping to actively promote what's best for society as a whole while remembering how important water is to productive, sustainable rural agriculture."

Hans Peter Pfeifer

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A viticulturist from Harrow, Peter studied Viticulture and Enology in Germany, and has been actively involved in grapegrowing and agriculture for nearly 30 years. He is looking forward to being involved in the process to protect drinking water at its source. "I want to ensure that our water remains a high quality renewable resource."

Bernard John Nelson

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Bernard Nelson brings over thirty years of experience in the agricultural sector to the Source Protection Committee. As past president of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, Bernard has also sat on the Essex-Kent Milk Committee, the Essex-Kent Holstein Club and has been a delegate of the Ontario Dairy Herd Improvement Committee. Bernard is hoping to ensure the concerns of the agriculture community are addressed throughout the Source Protection Planning process. He is a fourth generation farmer who is very active in his community and is married with four children.

Dave Church

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Dave, Canadian Salt's mine manager, has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry in Northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories. Dave has a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering and has committee experience as a board member with the Mines and Aggregates Health and Safety and the Ontario Mining Association. "I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Source Protection Committee in being able to promote a great cause to the residents and landowners of the Essex region."

David Watsa

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David Watsa of Colchester has a broad range of relevant experiences from which to draw. As a consultant for the aggregate industry, his line of work involves the recycling of broken concrete. He is also President of the East-West Tractors Inc., Past President of Southwest Tractors Inc., Past President of Kingsville Golf and Country Club, and the current Chair of the Colchester Harbour Steering Committee. "I'm thrilled to be part of the committee and to share my vast range of experience," he says. "My greatest hope for the committee is that we will provide a plan that protects our drinking water resources without having a negative effect on businesses or consumers."

Robert Auger

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A lawyer who resides in LaSalle, Rob has been in private practice since 2001 and specializes in Real Estate, Municipal and Corporate law. As past president of the Amherstburg Rotary Club, Rob also has a strong sense of community volunteerism. He is extremely pleased to be provided with the opportunity to contribute to such an important initiative. "I hope to enhance my understanding of water protection and conservation issues, and to have the opportunity to help create greater public awareness about the issues," he says.

Tim Mousseau

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Tim was recently employed as a Senior Project Manager for Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Windsor. Formerly, he was the Director of Public Works for the Town of Lakeshore. In that capacity he was responsible for the administration of all road, water and wastewater operations for a municipality with a population of 30,000. The Town of Lakeshore owns and operates two water treatment plants, a pollution control plant and two sewage lagoon systems. The road network consists of approximately 600 kilometers of roads and related bridge and railway crossing infrastructure. Tim was also Administrator Clerk Treasurer of the former Town of Belle River, as well as Manager Secretary Treasurer of the Belle River Hydro Electric Commission and the Lakeshore Hydro Electric Commission prior to amalgamation in 1999.

Prior to his over twenty years of municipal experience, Tim was self-employed as a drainage Contractor for 9 years and completed several small drainage, watermain and sewer repair projects in Essex County.

Andrew Pula

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Over the past decade, Andrew participated in the Massassauga Provincial Park Water Quality Study, the Detroit Heritage River Project, and worked on Environmental and Geotechnical Engineering projects with Golder Associates before becoming an environmental geography secondary school teacher. He is very pleased to be part of the Source Protection Committee and looks forward to working with such a diverse group on this project. "I hope to provide a significant contribution to the overall process," he says. "I also hope that the work accomplished over the next five years will make a difference for the residents of this area."

Ashley Stevenson

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Having earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with an emphasis in biology from Dalhousie University, Ashley is looking forward to working with the committee to positively impact the environment and protect the drinking water sources in our region. As a resident of Wheatley, Ashley has gained field experience at the Harrow Research Station through summer employment. "I hope to be able to bring new insight to the committee and to encourage others in the community to become involved in this initiative," she says. "We all have to do our part when it comes to conservation and protection."

John Stuart, P.Eng.

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In addition to being a Chemical Engineer and the Director of Water Production for the Windsor Utilities Commission, John is also a rural landowner who has experience as a site engineer for several rural-based agri-food industries. His background also includes serving as the site manager for three of Ontario's largest water production facilities. "I am extremely honoured to be part of the committee, given the selection process and quality of the candidates that have chosen to be part of this important initiative," he says. "I hope that I can act as an information bridge to the community as a whole in order to convey the technical analysis required to identify intake protection zones and vulnerable areas, the by-laws that will be required to protect these areas, and the impact that this process will have on the community."