County Council is comprised of the mayors and or reeves from each of the 17 communities within the County of Renfrew boundaries. The councillors act on behalf of the municipality in County affairs. County Council also elects a Warden to lead County Council.
Meet your councillors:
Warden Peter Emon
Peter worked as a child protection worker for 25 years and has an honours degree in social work from the University of Windsor. Following fifteen years of employment as a community mental health crisis worker, Peter is retired.
Recognizing the growing complexity of the municipal sector, Peter pursued his studies and obtained a Municipal Administration Program Certificate from AMCTO. It is a path not followed by many municipal councillors.
Since 1988 to the present, Peter has had great pleasure in serving his community as a municipal council member. During his tenure in office, he wryly notes that he has weathered two municipal amalgamations and a relocation to a new community. As the Town of Renfrew's Reeve since 2014, Peter is enjoying and learning from his role.
He has served as the 2014 and 2015 Honorary Chair for the Renfrew County United Way and was honoured by the opportunity to assist in raising much needed funds for his Renfrew County community.
Peter is a member of the County of Renfrew Council from 2006 until today and held the elected position of Warden of the County for four consecutive one year terms. During his time as Warden he served with the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus (EOWC) for five consecutive years and held the Office of Chair for a year. The EOWC represents 103 municipalities and 750,000 residents in Eastern Ontario. Peter was elected as Warden in December 2022 and 2023 for one year terms. He has been elected to serve as EOWC Chair in January 2023 and 2024 for one year terms.
He is a member of the Renfrew County and District Health Unit Board since 2012 until present. He is a member of the Renfrew and Area Physician Recruiting effort since the formation in 2010 and chair from 2014 until 2020.
Peter serves as a member of the Association of Municipalities Board from 2015 until present, representing the 443 municipalities in Ontario. Peter is also a member of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Board from 2018 until present.
He is a member of various County of Renfrew Ad Hoc Committees which are struck as situations/challenges arise for our community.
Peter was named by the Warden and Council to serve as Chair for the 2022/23 Ontario Winter Games. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase our community and illustrate the many amazing possibilities and opportunities available to our residents, businesses, institutions and over 1.5 million annual visitors.
Councillor Dan Lynch
Reeve Town of Arnprior
Councillor Dan Lynch was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Graduated from McNally High School, worked as a Junior Men's Wear Manager (Woodward's Department Store); joined the Canadian Army to be a Physical Education Instructor, ended up being a Provost (Army Policeman) and retired after 25 years of service in Arnprior. In 1998 employed by Arnprior Airport (formerly South Renfrew Municipal Airport) and in 2000 became the Airport Manager and retired in 2021. Dan is a strong member of the community, as a volunteer driver, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion where he held numerous positions including Deputy Zone G Commander. Dan was first elected to Arnprior Council in 2010, and has continued in that role until 2018 when he was elected Reeve for the Town, subsequently the Reeve designation was changed to County Councillor. At the County of Renfrew Dan sits on the Operations Committee, Development & Property Committee; Algonquin Trail Advisory Committee; Ottawa Valley Trail Committee and the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Environmental Stewardship Committee.
Councillor Keith Watt
Reeve Watt is currently serving his third term on Laurentian Valley Council. He was first elected to Council in 2014. Prior to being elected, he was a volunteer on the Laurentian Valley Policing Committee for 12 years and was Chair of the committee for his last six years. He served as Chair of the Pembroke Public Library and Chair of Public Works for the past 8 years. He also spent over 30 years with the Air Cadet League of Canada, teaching leadership and citizenship.
Reeve Watt resides in Laurentian Valley and has always been community-minded. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three sons and eight grandchildren. They are very family oriented and love spending time with their family.
Councillor Glenn Doncaster
Reeve Town of Deep River
Reeve Glenn Doncaster was born in North Bay, Ontario and was raised in Deep River. Glenn is a graduate of Mackenzie High School and Control Data Institute. Glenn lives in Deep River with his three daughters Megan, Autumn and Melina. For over 20 years Glenn has owned and operated a number of successful business ventures across Renfrew, Pontiac and Lanark Counties. Glenn was first elected to Deep River Council in 1997 and served 13 years on Deep River Council, two terms as a Councillor and a subsequent two terms as Deputy Mayor. Following a four-year break from municipal politics in 2010, Glenn returned as Reeve with the Town of Deep River in 2014. Community service and involvement are of the utmost importance for Glenn, having served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Deep River & Area Minor Hockey. He has chaired the Deep River Police Services Board and also sat on the Board of Directors of the North Renfrew Long Term Care Centre. At the County of Renfrew Glenn sits on the Finance and Administration and Health Committees.
Councillor Anne Giardini
Anne and her husband Rico moved to the Ottawa Valley in 1984 and in 1991, they moved to Laurentian Hills with their 3 young children. The same year, Anne started working at AECL as a computer operator, and then started her apprenticeship as a General Machinist, and in 1999, received her Inter-Provincial Red Seal.
During her career at CNL, she was active in promoting women in trades and attended several Skills Canada and Women in Nuclear workshops and conferences. She retired from CNL in 2016 as a Training Specialist. Anne was elected as Councillor of Ward 2 from 2002-2022 and was the Deputy Mayor for the last 12 years. She ran as Mayor in 2022 and she, along with the 4 ward Councillors were acclaimed. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, crafting and so many more things that this wonderful town has to offer. She loves spending time with her family – especially her three granddaughters.
Councillor Gary Serviss
Mayor Serviss is a retired high school teacher of 30 years, having taught numerous subjects at Dakota Collegiate in Winnipeg, the Pembroke Jail, Fellowes High School in Pembroke and for the final 27 years of his teaching career was at General Panet High School on Garrison Petawawa which then became Valour High School in Petawawa. He was a coordinator of the co-operative education program for many years and a coach of many high school athletic teams. In 2000 he authored and invented the CBC Hockey Night in Canada Trivia Board Game and has been a member of the Petawawa Town Council for the past eight years; four years as a councillor, 4 years as deputy mayor and have just begun my term as the mayor of Petawawa. He has been married for 33 years to his wonderful wife Tracey and they have three grown children, Kelsy, Sam and Lauren and their first grandchild, a boy named Hudson who was born in January of 2023.
Along with his duties as mayor he is vice president and coach in Les Coureurs de Bois Running Club which provides training in track and field, cross-country running and nordic skate skiing to local youth ages 10 - 18. He is looking forward to his time on Renfrew County Council and excited to see what the future brings to Petawawa and to Renfrew County. What an amazing place to live, work and be physically active.
Councillor Michael Donohue
Mayor Township of Admaston/Bromley
Mayor Michael Donohue's attraction to public office started when he ran for student council at Opeongo High School.
A lifelong resident of the Ottawa Valley, Michael has called Renfrew County home for all but a 4-year sojourn to Carleton University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He lives on his family farm in Douglas, where he operates a 400 head cow/calf ranch. Michael's interest in elected office was rekindled in 2010 when he successfully ran for Admaston/Bromley Council. In 2014 he took the next challenge to become Mayor of the Township. While Michael's position on County Council demands more of him, he feels energized serving as the Chair of the Striking Committee and Health Committee, and as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Health Renfrew County District Health Unit. Proud of the community he was raised in, Michael unapologetically says that “Renfrew County is the place to call home. Naturally!”
Councillor Jennifer Murphy
Mayor Township of Bonnechere Valley
Mayor Jennifer Murphy sits on County Council as the elected Mayor of Bonnechere Valley Township. Jennifer has extensive business experience which she uses with great skill in her decision making at Council. Jennifer and her husband, Dave, moved from Toronto to their hobby horse farm outside of Eganville in 2000, and opened Murphy's Auto Service in Renfrew in 2001. Jennifer is involved in many fundraising efforts and community events throughout Bonnechere Valley. At the County of Renfrew Jennifer sits as the Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and is also a member of the Health Committee.
Councillor Valerie Jahn
Mayor Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch & Raglan
Valerie Jahn has 35 years in Municipal Administration experience as a Clerk/Treasurer and transitioned to Council. She has received several designations and certifications from AMCTO, including her CMO, CMM and has taken countless courses related to municipal finance and administration. Her home has always been the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan.
Councillor Rob Weir
Mayor of Greater Madawaska
Rob was born and raised in Scarborough Ontario in a multi-cultural environment. He has been married for 30 years and has two children. After decades of vacationing in Greater Madawaska Rob and his family moved to the Township in 2018, quickly becoming active members of the community.
Rob has 30 plus years of senior management experience to bring to the job of mayor. He has a professional background as a police officer and corporate leader in the private sector. Rob has received a St. Johns Ambulance Lifesaving award, Merit Mark and Commendation by the Toronto Police Service Board.
He is a Past President of the Calabogie Lions Club. He enjoys skiing, kayaking, canoeing and photography. Rob was a member of the Canadian National Police Ski Team for 2 years and spent numerous years coaching and as a trainer for Hockey, Football, Softball and Rugby.
Councillor Debbi Grills
Mayor Township of Head, Clara and Maria
Mayor Debbi Grills sits on County Council as the elected Mayor of the United Townships of Head, Clara and Maria.
Although new to the County Council, she served on the Head, Clara and Maria Council from 2012 to 2017 and successfully ran for Mayor in 2018.
Debbi and her husband, Bob, moved from Stittsville to their retirement home on the Ottawa River, Stonecliffe in 2011. She enjoyed a 35-year career as an elementary school teacher in both Toronto and Ottawa. Her experience in education makes her a believer in the 3 R’s for small rural municipalities – Respect, Responsibility & Resourcefulness.
Debbi serves on the County of Renfrew’s Health and Community Services Committees, as well as a Board Member of the Renfrew County Housing Corporation.
She is an active volunteer involved in fundraising and community events for the Head, Clara and Maria Recreation Committee, the Library Board and the Missing Link Snowmobile Club.
Debbi hopes that you will take time to enjoy the recreational opportunities on the beautiful trails, numerous lakes and the pristine Ottawa River that make up “The Natural Playground” in the Upper Ottawa Valley.
Councillor David Bennett
Mayor Horton Township
Mayor David Bennett was born and raised in the Township of Horton. He began his municipal political career in 1981 as Councillor and continued throughout many terms. David successfully ran for Mayor in 2018 and was acclaimed to his second term in 2022. David is very active in the community and passionate about all things Horton.
Councillor David Mayville
David Mayville, currently works for RSMC (Canada Post) and previously worked as an accounting supervisor for BF Goodrich. His passion for hockey included being an OHL Hockey Manager with the Sault Greyhounds and a hockey scout in the NHL for the Montreal Canadians. He has lived in the Killaloe Hagarty and Richards community for 22 years.
Councillor David Schulist
Mayor David Martin Shulist sits on County Council as the appointed Mayor of the Township of Madawaska Valley.
He also served as an elected Mayor between 2010 and 2014 and as elected Councillor between 2018 and 2024.
Mayor Shulist is local Kashubian historian and is a descendant of the first Kashubian pioneers who settled on the Opeongo Line in the County of Renfrew in 1858. He was born and raised in Wilno Ontario, Canada’s First Kashubian Settlement. He is a Kashubian speaker and you will hear him speak his ancestor’s native tongue at council once in awhile.
Athlete of the year at Madawaska Valley District High School in Barry’s Bay in 1970.
Founding President of the Wilno Heritage Society in 1998
Built Canada’s Kashub Heritage Park and created the Kashubian Festival in Wilno under his leadership as Founding President
Recipient of the Ontario Heritage Award (Heritage Community Recognition Program) in 1999
Founding Commissioner of the Opeongo Heritage Cup Hockey Tournament in Madawaska Valley in 2006.
Recipient of the Governor General of Canada Caring Canadian Award in 2009
Represented the County of Renfrew as a Olympic Torch Bearer in 2010
Recipient of the “Stolem Medal” from the Pomerania Student Club at the University of Gdùnsk in the Capital city of Kashubia, his ancestral homeland in 2012
Recipient of the Governor General Sovereign Medal in 2016
Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Ethnic Media Association in 2023
Received an Honorary Citizenship in 2023 from the Community of Lëpusz Kashubia where his ancestors were born in Europe.
Councillor James Brose
Mayor North Algona Wilberforce Township
Councillor Neil Nicholson
Reeve Whitewater Region
Neil Nicholson has four years on the Whitewater Region Council. He is a retired Military Officer with 23 years of service in various command and staff roles. He has a Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University, a Master of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Commerce from the Royal Military College. Neil has been a resident of the Whitewater Region for 13 years, where he has raised his family and has hobby farmed. He has been a volunteer at the Whitewater Region Flood Recovery Committee as Chair, and the Pembroke Regional Hospital Board of Directors as well as the Westmeath and District Recreation Association (WDRA).
Neil has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Armed Forces Commander of the Army Commendation and the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. Neil’s interests include coaching community and competitive basketball and volunteering in the community.
Councillor Lori Hoddinott
Mayor McNab/Braeside
Mayor Hoddinott has resided in McNab/Braeside for over 25 years, on a heritage farm where she raised purebred cattle for many years. Lori comes from a family owned business background (automotive). Lori was previously involved in the economic development committee as chair with the township.
She was elected as Deputy Mayor in 2022, and with the resignation of the sitting mayor, was appointed to Mayor in 2025. She has completed 3 of the 4 AMCTO Municipal programs and is currently completing her 4th program which will result in obtaining her Municipal Administration Diploma. She is doing the education programs (law, administration, finance, HR) in order to understand how the wheels turn behind the scenes of the various departments in a municipality leading to better, informed decisions for her stakeholders.
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