Five questions with Spring Loomes, candidate for Smiths Falls council in the 2026 municipal election

Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Lanarkist will be asking the same five questions of all council candidates in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth and Mississippi Mills in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 4, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from Smiths Falls candidate Spring Loomes. You can view a roundup of all our Smiths Falls municipal coverage and links to all completed profiles here.

1. Tell us a little bit about your professional background, including any prior municipal or other political participation, as well as about you, personally. What made you want to run for council?

While I don’t come from a background of formal political office, I bring strong hands-on community experience and administrative leadership to the table. Professionally, my background in office management has equipped me with essential skills in organization, budgeting, operations, and clear communication—tools that are directly transferable to council oversight and municipal decision-making.

My motivation to run stems from my deep commitment to Smiths Falls. Through my extensive volunteer work, including helping to run a local youth centre, I’ve seen firsthand the needs of our families and young people. I am running for council to ensure our community remains a supportive, vibrant, and well-managed place for everyone to live and grow.

2. How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?

At the municipal level, my political ideology centres on strong community advocacy and collaborative leadership. I don’t believe national political labels fit local governance. Instead, my focus is on listening to residents, maintaining complete transparency with public funds, supporting vital local programs and holding those in positions of authority accountable to the people they serve.

3. What are the three most common issues voters bring up to you as you campaign?

Through my public availability sessions and open conversations with residents across Smiths Falls, three major themes consistently stand out:

1. Fiscal responsibility and asset management: Residents are concerned about how their tax dollars are spent and want prudent budget management. People repeatedly emphasize wanting existing infrastructure and town amenities properly maintained and repaired over the long term, rather than seeing projects installed and then left to deteriorate.
2. Police governance and policy transparency: Public safety is a fundamental community priority, but residents frequently share concerns regarding police governance, board accountability, and transparency around operational policies. Voters want clear insight into how local policing policies are developed, reviewed, and implemented, ensuring decisions reflect community standards. Alongside policy oversight, residents raise practical questions about evaluating alternative service models—such as exploring an OPP costing process—to compare operational structures and costs while carefully considering the impact on our local officers and community presence.
3. Town-wide accessibility and infrastructure: Accessibility comes up regularly in my public discussions. Residents want Smiths Falls to be safe and navigable for everyone, emphasizing the need for accessible sidewalks, public buildings, and municipal facilities that accommodate seniors, families and residents with mobility challenges.

4. What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?

If elected to council, my top three local priorities will be:

1. Responsible, sustainable and transparent budgeting: Taxpayers deserve clear insight into how municipal funds are allocated and spent. My priority is ensuring our budget is fiscally responsible and sustainable over the long term—focusing on maintaining our existing assets and infrastructure, while keeping property tax impacts manageable for local families as much as possible.
2. Supporting downtown economic drivers and local partners: Smiths Falls thrives when our downtown is vibrant. I am committed to supporting the dedicated volunteer boards, arts and culture groups and community event organizers whose initiatives bring thousands of visitors into our town. These events generate vital local commerce, boost small businesses in our core, and bring in revenue that directly helps offset tax burdens.
3. Town-wide accessibility and police accountability: Having raised a son with disabilities here in town, improving accessibility is both personal and essential to me. Council must ensure our streets, facilities, and public spaces are safe, inclusive and accessible for everyone. Alongside accessibility, I will prioritize strong police oversight and governance—ensuring transparency around local policies, board accountability, and public safety costs that reflect community values.

5. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?

What sets me apart is a combination of practical administrative skills and deep, multi-generational roots in Smiths Falls. Having raised four sons here—including a son with disabilities—I don’t just view accessibility, youth programs, and community safety as policy items; I have lived them. I know firsthand what local families face, where the gaps in support are and how municipal decisions directly affect daily life in our town.

My commitment to this community goes back years, starting with my time as a volunteer with Smiths Falls’ very first youth centre. Combined with my drive to advocate for safe spaces for youth and families, I bring a strong work ethic, financial mindfulness and a genuine passion for accountable governance. I am running as an approachable, independent voice dedicated to listening to residents, protecting tax dollars and ensuring Smiths Falls remains an inclusive, well-managed place for every family.