Born and raised here. Invested in this community. Ready to keep serving Ward 2.

New Tecumseth has been home to me for my entire life. I was born and raised here, and my roots in this community run deep.

My parents, Wayne and Carol Soloduik, lived on Orsi Court in Tottenham, where my younger sister Sheri and I grew up. When I was eight, our family moved to a farm on the 4th Line of Adjala. It was the year before the devastating Tottenham Tornado struck. The tornado destroyed my neighbours’ home and missed ours by mere feet—a powerful reminder, even at a young age, of how connected we are to the people and places around us.

I attended St. James Catholic Elementary School in Colgan until Father F.X. O’Reilly Catholic Elementary School opened in Tottenham. I went on to graduate from St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School and was accepted to the University of Toronto, where I completed a year of Political Science before entering the workforce.

At 27, I became a mother to my son, Logan. At the time, I was living in Mississauga and working in Oakville, but I knew where I wanted to raise my son: home. We returned to Tottenham so Logan could grow up in the community that had shaped me.

I raised Logan as a single mother while building a career with our local newspaper. What began as a job became a nearly two-decade career and a deep connection to the people, stories and history of this community. When the newspaper’s Editor Emeritus left to pursue local politics, I took on the responsibility of leading the paper.

Although my career with the newspaper was long and fulfilling, fitness had always been my true passion. I returned to school and completed a post-secondary diploma in Fitness Leadership at Humber College. Fitness taught me discipline, perseverance and the value of hard work—lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life.

Those experiences opened doors to new opportunities, including hosting two television programs on Rogers 65 Alliston/Borden (Talk of the Town and Talking the Truth), as well as taking on numerous volunteer roles throughout New Tecumseth.

Ten years ago, I met my husband, Craig. We married 14 months later and blended our family. His children, Brodie and Braedon, were attending school in Alliston, so we made the decision to move into Ward 2. What was once simply a house in an unfinished subdivision became our family home—and it remains our home today.

Eight years ago, I began my career with a local automotive dealership as Marketing Manager, Onboarding Specialist and Lincoln Concierge. It has been a rewarding role that allows me to combine my creativity, business experience and love of community while working close to home.

Throughout my life, I have always found ways to contribute to the community I love. And when I first began my dealership career, I made it clear that one day I hoped to serve on Council. I waited until my children were grown and I was less needed at home before putting my name forward.

Today, Brodie is an RCMP officer, Braedon has followed his father into the automotive industry, and Logan works in construction. With my children grown and my life experience behind me, I knew the time was right to step forward and serve four years ago.

Serving as your Ward 2 Councillor has been one of the greatest honours of my life.

I bring to Council something that cannot be learned from a textbook: a lifetime of experience in this community. I know its history. I understand the decisions that have shaped New Tecumseth, and I understand that the decisions we make today will shape the community our children and grandchildren inherit tomorrow.

I also know that being a councillor means listening. It means showing up. It means asking difficult questions, doing the work, and making decisions with integrity—even when those decisions aren't easy.

As I seek re-election for 2026–2030, my commitment remains simple: to do my very best for the people of Ward 2 and for the community I have called home my entire life.

I will continue to approach this responsibility with honesty, integrity and respect. I will continue to listen to residents, advocate for our community and work toward responsible decisions that protect what makes New Tecumseth special while preparing us for the future.

I love this town. I love its people. And I would be honoured to have your support for another term.

Please vote Wendy Gabrek for Ward 2 — 2026.