New Leeds and Thousand Islands councillor connects with residents at first meet-and-greet
Monique Antoine-Hartley hit the ground running in her new role as Ward 2 councillor for the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI), wasting no time in engaging with the community.
Hosting a well-attended meet-and-greet on Sunday at the Seeley’s Bay Legion, she welcomed approximately 65 residents eager to share their thoughts and learn more about their newest representative.
“Some folks that came had already met me through community groups and wanted to congratulate me in person,” said Antoine-Hartley. “The new friends I met were more interested in knowing more about me, and we had some lovely conversations.”
Among those in attendance were newcomers to the area looking for ways to get involved. Antoine-Hartley provided them with suggestions, including local organizations such as the Lions Club, the Legion, and community events like Frost Fest and the Lyndhurst Turkey Fair.
Other residents raised questions about the township’s waste sites and recycling plans. While she didn’t have all the answers on the spot, she committed to following up and gathered emails to keep residents informed about township news.
“It was a great afternoon, full of great conversations,” she said.
Appointed to council following the retirement of Mark Jamison in December, Antoine-Hartley has emphasized fairness, accessibility, and engagement as key priorities in her new role. She said she recognizes that TLTI’s diverse communities each have unique needs and is committed to advocating for decisions that reflect those differences.
“No community is exactly the same, and a cookie-cutter approach will not work to deliver resources fairly,” she previously stated.
Antoine-Hartley remains committed to staying visible in the community, preferring one-on-one conversations to understand residents’ concerns firsthand.
“Being out and about is a communication tool to me,” she said. “I love meeting people and prefer to speak one-on-one.”
Residents unable to attend Sunday’s event can reach out to Antoine-Hartley directly at mahartley@townshipleeds.on.ca to arrange a conversation.