I’m really happy to have received endorsements from people I’ve worked with both in, and outside, Zorra.
I hope you’ll at least skim through them to see if there’s one relevant to you and your issues.
Some of them are friends, some are neighbours, some are local politicians, some are from around the Province that I’ve worked with lobbying the Province on issues important to Zorra, some are local agriculture people I’ve worked with, and some are local business people I’ve worked with.
They all have one thing in common: I thank them for their support!
Dirk Boogerd
Zorra township farmer
I confidently recommend Marcus Ryan for the position of mayor for the township of Zorra. I truly admire the passion Marcus Ryan has put into our township as a councillor. Even though Mr. Ryan is not a farmer himself, he has put great effort into speaking and working for our agriculture community here in Zorra.
His position on the high speed rail proposal falls right in line with OFA’s opposition, as well as the county of Oxford. In speaking to Marcus at length about this proposal he agrees to look high performance rail alternative and a integrated regional transportation strategy. The half load season is another item in which he has indicated to explore to reduce.
As our rural township has many farmers in all industries of agriculture, there are farmers that do farm gate sales and farmers markets. Marcus has initiated the Oxford fresh farm gate signs , promoting local producers. In doing work like this he has gained respect from public and farmers around the township.
Marcus Ryan is honest, reliable and willing to work hard for every one in our township, and this includes farmers.
I believe Marcus Ryan is the person best qualified for the mayor of Zorra
Dirk Boogerd
Zorra township farmer
Josh Morgan
Councillor, City of London
I’ve come to know Marcus Ryan as a leader capable of seeing the big picture. He is an effective advocate for the residents of Zorra because he has the knowledge and skills needed to work with other communities and governments for our common benefit.
Josh Morgan
Councillor, City of London
Kelly Elliot
Councillor and candidate for Deputy Mayor, Thames Centre
I have had the privilege of working with Marcus over the past three years as municipal Councillors. Although we are in separate municipalities, issues such as rural school closures, high speed rail and aggregate extraction have always brought us together.
Marcus’ passion for his community is admirable, and many municipalities across the province would benefit from someone like Marcus. His leadership to tackle issues head on should be commended. Marcus always has the best interests for Zorra residents at heart, and will always do what it takes.
In order to move forward, municipalities like Zorra and Thames Centre need municipal leaders who will work tirelessly with all levels of government to address the unique concerns of our rural and small urban areas. For Zorra Township’s choice of Mayor, there is absolutely no doubt that this person is Marcus Ryan.
Kelly Elliot
Councillor and candidate for Deputy Mayor, Thames Centre
Brian Petrie
Councillor, Town of Ingersoll
Residents of Zorra
I would like to give my full endorsement to Marcus Ryan for the office of mayor of Zorra. You as ratepayers will be well served with Marcus at that post.
While serving as a councillor in the neighbouring community of Ingersoll during the last four years I’ve had the opportunity to work with Marcus on a number of occasions and issues. He has always been open, honest and knowledgable. All things that will make him a great mayor of Zorra and county councillor. He has shown the same abilities on the Upper Thames conservation authority board, where we share the role of directors, his preparation along with a true caring for the issues are always welcomed there as they will be with him in the mayors chair.
Brian Petrie Councillor,
Town of Ingersoll
Jim Maudsley
Mayor of Thames Centre, Former Warden of Middlesex County
I worked with Marcus for several years on issues important to Thames Centre, Zorra, and region. I was impressed when Marcus spoke as a representative for the Communities School’s Alliance at the Ontario Small Urban Conference earlier this year.
He has always been able to communicate Zorra’s interests in a way that gets the support of neighbouring communities and provincial politicians and advances those interests towards a solution. He will offer a leadership vision for Zorra, more importantly, will work hard to collaborate with Municipal and Provincial counterparts to achieve that vision.
Jim Maudsley
Mayor of Thames Centre, Former Warden of Middlesex County
Gerry Marshall
former Mayor of the Town of Penetanguishene and Warden of Simcoe County, former Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Vice Chair and former Chair of South Western Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT)
I’ve worked with Marcus for several years on the Executive of the Community Schools Alliance asking the Ministry of Education for a stronger voice for Municipalities in where our schools are, and how they are opened and closed.
Marcus has always been a strong voice for his community on this issue, and on many occasions offered help to other communities that found themselves faced with similar challenges.
He has been the voice of the Community Schools Alliance and all communities concerned about their schools by making several direct delegations to the Minister of Education to explain the policy issues and the needed changes. His efforts assisted in putting a moratorium on schools closure thereby reducing the incentive for school boards to consider the closure of rural and northern schools.
It has been a true pleasure to work with Marcus on big issues such as this that affect multiple Municipalities. When Municipalities join together they can have a stronger voice with the Province, and Marcus should be one of those voices.
Gerry Marshall
former Mayor of the Town of Penetanguishene and Warden of Simcoe County, former Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Vice Chair and former Chair of South Western Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT)
Jim Collard
Councillor, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Charter Member Community Schools Alliance
Over the past four years I’ve worked with Marcus to strengthen the Community Schools Alliance into an effective voice for small town and rural education in Ontario.
Marcus has been a positive advocate for Zorra on this issue, and for other communities in similar situations.
The Community Schools Alliance has achieved a provincial moratorium on school closures, and funding for Rural and Northern Education to help reduce the incentive for school boards to consider the closure of rural and northern schools.
One of the key aspects of achieving these results are the meetings Marcus had with the Minister of Education working successfully for change.
More importantly, is the working relationship he developed with the Education Minister’s staff. Marcus’s positive attitude has allowed him to find success with Ministry personnel and make a difference that has benefitted all.
Marcus understands the possibilities and knows that by working together communities can have a more effective voice, one that finds the changes their residents need.
Marcus will be an excellent mayor for the Township of Zorra. He is definitely ready.
Kindest regards
Jim Collard
Councillor, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Charter Member Community Schools Alliance
Tanya Park, City of London Councillor, and candidate for Mayor:
Marcus has always demonstrated his tenacity and capabilities to bring real solutions to the table. The regional advocacy that he was a part of brought the high speed rail conversation to a much broader, and necessary audience.
As mayor, Marcus will represent Zorra township with professionalism and focus.
Tanya Park, City of London Councillor, and candidate for Mayor
Tanya Park, City of London Councillor, and candidate for Mayor
Don Weir and Kathleen Schaper-Weir, Zorra Residents, Zorra Recreation Advisory Committee, Water and Wheels Committee Chair:
Dear Marcus,
Upon learning that you had declared your candidacy for the position of Mayor of Zorra Township, Kathleen and I were absolutely delighted. As you know, I have a background in municipal work and Kathleen has a long history of serving as an elected official, both at the municipal and the county levels. We have worked with and for politicians who were exemplary in their fields as well as for some who seemed only to be there to take up a seat and collect a pay cheque. You belong in the former group.
We understand that your involvement in politics began to take form when you helped to save A.J. Baker school in Kintore from being closed. Subsequent to your being elected as a Councillor in Zorra Township you gave of your time and expertise to help the parent groups of Elgin County in their attempts to save four of their schools. More recently you have been very active in researching and addressing your constituents’ concerns regarding the proposed dump in Oxford County, High Speed Rail and issues with the Ministry of Education such as the flawed funding formula.
At Council level we have observed a bright, well-informed member who researches every agenda item and strives to make decisions based upon fact and fiscal responsibility. We recognize you to be a ward councillor who works equally hard for every resident of the township.
With Mayor Lupton’s retirement at the end of this council term, we can think of nobody else who would make a better Mayor for our community and representative for Zorra Township at County Council. We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming election.
Don Weir and Kathleen Schaper-Weir
Rebecca Wallace, Thamesford Resident, Zorra Recreation Advisory Committee:

Rebecca Wallace, Thamesford Resident, Zorra Recreation Advisory Committee
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