- 519-717-0874
- mike@mikegatopoulos.ca
Join me in a shared vision and plans to improve Ward 5, focusing on community growth, transparency, and local empowerment to make Brant County a better place for all.
Mike Gatopoulos is a resident of Mount Pleasant for over 8 years, a small business owner, volunteer firefighter, and dedicated community leader running for County Councillor in Ward 5.
Mike is the owner of Seventh Coffee Company, where he understands firsthand the challenges facing local businesses and the importance of responsible, long-term economic planning. He also serves as Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chair of Lansdowne Children’s Centre, bringing governance experience and a strong commitment to families and community services. In the past he has served on the Special Education Advisory Committee for the Grand Erie District School Board, as well as the County of Brant Library Board.
In addition to his local roles, Mike is a member of the Minister of Education’s Advisory Council on Special Education, contributing to provincial-level policy discussions that support children and families. He is also a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Award, recognizing his service to the community.
Mike is a parent of five children ranging from 6 to 14, and his priorities are shaped by raising a family and running a business in the community he serves. As a volunteer firefighter, business owner, and parent, he brings a practical, service-driven approach to local government focused on responsible growth, transparency, and protecting the character of Ward 5.
Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made — and how their tax dollars are used.
I believe transparency means more than following procedures. It means clear, plain-language explanations of major planning, infrastructure, and budget decisions, meaningful public consultation, and accountability through open discussion and recorded votes on significant matters.
As part of that commitment, I will advocate for modern, easy-to-use tools that help residents better understand County finances — including a public online tool that shows, in plain language, how the County portion of a property tax bill is estimated to be allocated across key services. Residents shouldn’t need a finance degree to understand their tax bill, and better information leads to better public trust and engagement. You deserve to know that X number of your dollars went to Waste Disposal, Libraries, Roads, etc.
Growth must be planned around what our infrastructure can actually support. I believe water, wastewater, and road capacity should be in place before zoning changes or intensification are approved. Rural residents should not be asked to absorb the risks of growth through strained roads, impacts to wells, or deferred servicing. Good planning means matching development with infrastructure — not hoping it will catch up later.
mike@mikegatopoulos.ca
519-717-0874