Omemee resident Jasmine Marshall runs for council in Ward 6

Jasmine Marshall, an Omemee resident, has filed her paperwork to run for Ward 6 councillor in Kawartha Lakes in the upcoming October municipal election. As part of her campaign in the Omemee area of the city, she’s launching a community-driven initiative focused on listening first and building community priorities directly from resident input.

Marshall, 26, grew up in Omemee, left to pursue her university degree, and later returned to the community that gave her so much. She works as a real estate agent throughout the Kawarthas and volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross, supporting families through some of life’s biggest decisions and challenges in the community she loves.

Marshall is preparing to go door-to-door across Ward 6, distributing a community feedback form to gather resident input on priorities for the ward’s future. She says responses will be reviewed personally and followed up on.

“I’m not showing up at your door to tell you what I think. I’m showing up because this ward deserves a councillor who listens before she speaks,” said Marshall in a press release. “The best decisions come from the people who actually live here, and I want to hear from every corner of Ward 6.”

Marshall says she has already identified three key priorities based on conversations with residents over the past year: affordability, transportation connectivity, and road infrastructure.

Marshall points to Kawartha Lakes’ own long-term financial plan, which projects average property tax increases of approximately seven per cent annually over the next decade, effectively doubling by 2035 — an unsustainable trajectory for seniors on fixed incomes, families trying to make ends meet, or farmers who are squeezed out of every penny. Marshall is calling for a fiscal approach that keeps tax increases at or below the rate of inflation, alongside improved transparency and long-term planning.

“The city’s own plan is clear: without a change in direction, taxes will double in 10 years. That is not sustainable for seniors, young families, or farmers,” said Marshall. “Residents couldn’t afford a six per cent hike last year — triple the rate of inflation — at the planned seven per cent each year, many will be taxed out of their homes. We need discipline, transparency, and a plan that respects what people can actually afford.”

On transportation, Marshall is advocating for the introduction of a public transit link connecting Omemee, Lindsay, and Peterborough. She notes that Ward 6 currently has no public transit service, creating barriers for residents without access to a vehicle, including seniors and young people.

Marshall is also calling for increased accountability on deferred projects and a stronger focus on road maintenance. She says residents expect a level of service that reflects the taxes they pay.

“Maintaining a minimum standard for our roads is not optional — most days, they are the basic connections that hold communities together,” Marshall said. “They need to be treated as a priority, not an afterthought.”

Marshall is encouraging Ward 6 residents to visit JasmineForKL.com to share their priorities and follow the campaign as it develops its platform. “It’s time for Ward 6 residents to be heard,” she said. “That’s what this campaign is about.”