By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Ward 4 – Harrow candidate in the Essex Municipal Election, Deb Peters, is not afraid of hard work as a small business owner. She also considers herself a trustworthy person. Those are the characteristics upon what she would stand if elected.
She is running because she believes Harrow deserves someone on Council who will fight to make sure taxes protect homes, fix basic infrastructure, and breathe new life into the community.
“It is time we got somebody that has a little drive to get up and get stuff done,” Peters said. “And drive I do have.”
Peters put her name forward as a candidate because she was tired of nothing being done in Harrow, especially when it comes to sewers. She wants to investigate ways to mitigate flooding issues.
Individuals have been told they need to fix flooding and drainage issues themselves, Peters heard. She doesn’t believe that’s right. She believes whoever put in the drainage infrastructure in a subdivision, for instance, should be responsible.
Revitalizing pump stations and prioritizing municipal drain maintenance to keep up with intense rainfalls would be a priority. She would also want to expand or streamline municipal subsidy programs for homeowners.
Harrow is in need of more businesses to create some competition.
“I think we would be able to flourish a little bit more if we were able to put up some more businesses.”
As a Councillor, she would be interested in reaching out to larger corporations to attract businesses to
the area, as she has tried to do in the past. There is not a lot of vacancy in
Harrow currently for new businesses to move into currently, though. Nothing in Harrow can be expanded in terms of growth because Peters believes there is not enough capacity to accommodate that in terms of drainage and sanitary infrastructure.
The closing of Harrow District High School and the one elementary school put a damper on growth, she believes. Peters said many families do not want their kids bussed to school, which may make them choose living in another community.
She supports sensible, attainable infill housing, so young couples can actually afford to buy a home in town.
What she would like to see is something available to occupy the teenagers. That could be a drop in center which could be run by volunteer retirees. That would provide somewhere for the kids to go and provide seniors an opportunity to feel needed. Perhaps a program can be initiated to feed those kids, as well.
One of the things Peters would like to do is accommodate seniors. She would like to see people go knock on the doors of their first five neighbours to the right and the left. That way, people can get to know one another. She sees this as a way for people to connect.
Peters wondered if they would then be able to rely on each other if there was an instance where one neighbour needed a new roof after damage from a storm, for instance. What would be wrong with the community coming together to help one another fix that damage. It is just about everyone helping each other.
“I am one of these people that ‘let’s get ‘er done, if we’re going to get ‘er done.’ I don’t lie,” Peters said.
“Anyone that knows me can trust me.”
Above all, Peters said she is most proud of her daughters and having been able to watch them grow into independent women.
13:01 Oct 02, 2026
LJI-ONT-Ward-4-Candidate-Deb-Peters
Deb Peters would bring hard work, integrity to Essex Council as Harrow rep
By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: Essex Free Press
Ward 4 – Harrow candidate in the Essex Municipal Election, Deb Peters, is not afraid of hard work as a small business owner. She also considers herself a trustworthy person. Those are the characteristics upon what she would stand if elected.
She is running because she believes Harrow deserves someone on Council who will fight to make sure taxes protect homes, fix basic infrastructure, and breathe new life into the community.
“It is time we got somebody that has a little drive to get up and get stuff done,” Peters said. “And drive I do have.”
Peters put her name forward as a candidate because she was tired of nothing being done in Harrow, especially when it comes to sewers. She wants to investigate ways to mitigate flooding issues.
Individuals have been told they need to fix flooding and drainage issues themselves, Peters heard. She doesn’t believe that’s right. She believes whoever put in the drainage infrastructure in a subdivision, for instance, should be responsible.
Revitalizing pump stations and prioritizing municipal drain maintenance to keep up with intense rainfalls would be a priority. She would also want to expand or streamline municipal subsidy programs for homeowners.
Harrow is in need of more businesses to create some competition.
“I think we would be able to flourish a little bit more if we were able to put up some more businesses.”
As a Councillor, she would be interested in reaching out to larger corporations to attract businesses to
the area, as she has tried to do in the past. There is not a lot of vacancy in
Harrow currently for new businesses to move into currently, though. Nothing in Harrow can be expanded in terms of growth because Peters believes there is not enough capacity to accommodate that in terms of drainage and sanitary infrastructure.
The closing of Harrow District High School and the one elementary school put a damper on growth, she believes. Peters said many families do not want their kids bussed to school, which may make them choose living in another community.
She supports sensible, attainable infill housing, so young couples can actually afford to buy a home in town.
What she would like to see is something available to occupy the teenagers. That could be a drop in center which could be run by volunteer retirees. That would provide somewhere for the kids to go and provide seniors an opportunity to feel needed. Perhaps a program can be initiated to feed those kids, as well.
One of the things Peters would like to do is accommodate seniors. She would like to see people go knock on the doors of their first five neighbours to the right and the left. That way, people can get to know one another. She sees this as a way for people to connect.
Peters wondered if they would then be able to rely on each other if there was an instance where one neighbour needed a new roof after damage from a storm, for instance. What would be wrong with the community coming together to help one another fix that damage. It is just about everyone helping each other.
“I am one of these people that ‘let’s get ‘er done, if we’re going to get ‘er done.’ I don’t lie,” Peters said.
“Anyone that knows me can trust me.”
Above all, Peters said she is most proud of her daughters and having been able to watch them grow into independent women.