Experience

My name is Jane Torrance, and I am running in the upcoming municipal election for the position of Almonte ward Councillor.

I hope to earn your support!

I have been part of this community for 30 years and have worked tirelessly to make it a better place. My husband, Michael Kehoe, and I have raised our four children here (Emily, Gillian, Callaghan and Liam Kehoe) and we have been always volunteered for schools, sports, service clubs, fundraisers, and community initiatives. On August 25, 2022, I was awarded a Community Builder Award by Mississippi Mills in recognition of the substantial and continued contributions I have made to the municipality.

I am a very experienced Councillor and have served three terms (11 year) in this role, from 2003 to 2006, 2006 to 2010, and 2014 to 2018. As a Councillor, I have become well educated in all aspects of municipal decision-making, and have chaired Planning and Economic Development, Recreation and Culture, and on numerous committees including Roads and Public Works, and Finance and Administration. I sat on the Police Service Board for 8 years, and on the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority for 7 years, including chairing the finance committee.

As a Councillor, I led the Almonte 125th Anniversary celebrations, helped establish the Veteran’s Memorial Walkway in the Year of the Veteran, and sat on the committee that established the Gemmill Park renovations including installation of the splash pad, skateboard park, and play structures. I helped plan the expansion of the arena in Almonte, the library in Pakenham, the water sewage treatment plant in Almonte, and the first affordable housing strategy. I sat on the Mills Community Support Corporation (now Carebridge) committee that planned the expansion of County Street apartments.

My last term of Council I was elected by my peers to act as Deputy Mayor and sat on County Council for 4 years where I chaired Economic Development and Planning and represented Mississippi Mills on numerous committees and decisions.

I am a people person, a community builder, a champion of Almonte, and a strong advocate of community and economic development. A neighbour, wife, mother of four and grandmother, of three, a friend, volunteer, and bagpiper, my career has focused on collaborative community development.

I currently work for the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Ontario Health Team as the Regional Lead for Navigation and the Implementation Planner for Mental Health and Addictions. I also own my own consulting business (Big Thinking) and provide service to rural municipalities and small not-for-profit organizations. I have worked as the Lanark County Regional Director for the United Way of East Ontario, as the Community Coordinator for a county-wide Child and Youth Services Collaborative Council, and for many years as a sorter and community coordinator for The Hub in Almonte.

I have volunteered my project management expertise, collaborative nature, and uncounted hours of service to numerous organizations. I have led festivals and events, Boards, initiatives, and have participated in so many volunteer shifts over the years, including:

Puppets Up!
(Chair and Executive Director, 2021 to present)

Scottish Society of Ottawa
(Chair, 2019 to present; Communication Chair 2018-2019)

Almonte Legion Pipe Band
(Secretary, Press Officer and Piper 2018 to present)

Valley Heartland Community Fund Development Corporation
(Board member 2014-2018, 2019 to present)

Algonquin College Perth Campus Advisory Committee
(2016 to present)

Mississippi Mills Youth Centre
(Champion/Chair 2014- 2019)

The Hub
(President 1999-2004; Chair of Nominating Committee present)

Almonte Legion Branch 240 Colour Guard
(2004- present)

Almonte Legion
(Chair Public Education 2012 – 2018)

Almonte Legion
(Secretary, 2012 – 2014)

Terry Fox Run
(Registration 2005- Covid)

Canadian Cancer Society
(Team Lead and Neighbourhood Canvasser, 1998 – Covid)

Lanark County
(Community Justice Facilitator, 2017- present)

Almonte Celtfest
(Co-Chair 2014 and 2015)

Almonte Celtfest
(Chair Promotions 2012 to 2015)

Lanark County Municipal Drug Strategy Committee
(Founding member 2009 – 2017)

Lanark and Renfrew Local Immigration Partnership
(Founding member 2009 – 2017)

Past volunteer on Parent Councils at ADHS, R. Tait McKenzie, Naismith, Pakenham, and GL Comba Schools, Puppets Up! Almonte Public Library Home Visiting Program, and Almonte Highland Games

Plus many, many volunteer shifts at many, many community festivals and events.

I hope to earn your vote and represent you as an Almonte Ward Councillor!