A prominent figure in Chatham-Kent's (CK) agriculture sector is trying to become the municipality's next mayor.
Nelson Burm is the third person to officially put their name forward. He joins Councillors Lauren Anderson and Michael Bondy, who filed their paperwork last week.
Burm is a farmer just outside of Wallaceburg. Along with working on the farm, he oversees the shipping of crops and gravel, the buying and selling of farm equipment, and a local business that handles vehicle rust.
He told CK News Today that many people told him he should first run to be a councillor before trying his hand at being mayor. He decided against this because he doesn't want to be a representative for just one area.
"I want to make the whole of Chatham-Kent a better place," said Burm.
If elected, he'd work to ensure the next council properly considers public opinion. While the current council allows for delegates and holds public information meetings, Burm believes they tend to vote on their personal beliefs.
"We all have our preferences, but we have to look at what the public is really wanting," he explained.
Some of the bigger issues he sees the next council focusing on are overall spending, taxes, and the ongoing housing crisis.
When asked why he believes people should vote for someone with no political experience, Burm quickly responded by saying they'll get someone who's doing the job for the people.
"I'm not in it for the money, and I'm not in it for the fame. I'm in it to work for Chatham-Kent," he added.
CK's election will be on October 26, 2026.
