A Little Bit About Myself
and Why I'm Running for Council
"We have so many things going for us — it seems obvious we should be doing much better."
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Raised Here. Invested Here.
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. I am the youngest of four children — Réal, Claudette, and Debb — and we all live in Sarnia/Lambton. We moved here from Quebec in 1975 with our mother, the late Jeannine Coutu. I have a 15-year-old daughter who attends St. Francis Xavier High School.
I have always appreciated our community and the wonderful friends I am so grateful to have here. I got the entrepreneur bug at an early age — probably inherited from my late father, Reginald Coutu — and have been involved in business in one way or another ever since.
"Over the years, as I had the opportunity to travel and do business in other communities, it started to become clear to me that Lambton County was stagnating — and in particular, Sarnia."
This made me start paying attention to local politics. Unfortunately, through apathy and disinterest, we as constituents have allowed an environment to exist where we are not attracting strength to our leadership. There have been a few talented individuals over the years, but they have been drowned out by outdated and ineffective ideas from a faction of council that has led us to a crisis point.
Recently, the leadership — or lack thereof — has descended to the point where the community no longer has its compass pointed to anything other than bickering. I want to change that and help get Sarnia/Lambton on the road to prosperity.
We have an amazing, highly skilled workforce. We have a strong small business community and large-scale industry. We have an amazing waterfront on one of the best waterways in the world. There are so many opportunities that it is difficult to list them all.
Now I ask you to join the movement — put your vote with myself and with other candidates who can work as a team with a positive vision for Sarnia/Lambton.
Corporate Experience
I was very lucky to be given a management opportunity at the young age of 18 for a company named Bingo Country / Upper Canada Casinos. I eventually worked my way into an area manager role, and the lessons I learned from 1988 until 1998 have served me well.
In 1999 I purchased Blackwater Coffee and Tea Company, which I ran with partners — including Jane, Ken and Jeff Jordan, Lou Spizzirri, and Matt Hay — until selling the business in 2009. I worked as a self-employed general contractor until 2011, when I became a Realtor, which remains my profession to this day.
But that's only the day job. Notable business endeavours have included: Chocolate Pepper Catering Co. with partner Angie Pugsley (1992–1995); developing 170 Christina St. North in 2002 with Jeff Jordan and Matt Hay; 234 Front St. North in 2004 with Jim Pumple; three residential lots at 1850 Blackwell Rd. in 2012 with Joe Alix; founding Guardian Real Estate Management with Joe Alix and Amanda Robinson in 2015; and further developments at 216 Front St., 117 Christina St. North, 1407 London Rd., and the Davis St. Parking Lot with Jim — spanning 2017 to 2024.
Between my day job and all of these endeavours, I have had a plethora of interactions with city hall and the County of Lambton — including the Clerk's Department, Planning, Engineering, Fire Department, and City Council. My insight from the perspective of the "user" will be invaluable in making sure our administration makes doing business in Sarnia/Lambton attractive to all.
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An exciting project resulting in a great multi-use building with great views.
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Bringing two buildings together — Front St. & Christina St. — into an amazing commercial space with Riverview apartments.
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So proud of our team at Guardian Real Estate Management. Truly first in class.
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Jim Pumple and myself formed our partnership on this project. His mentoring has meant the world to me.
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Blackwater Coffee & Tea — a very bustling business. Glad to see Dave and Alyssa Duguay doing amazing with it.
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Lay out the plan, then execute. I've been doing that for decades — and I'd like to do the same for Sarnia/Lambton.
Community Involvement
I am very proud to say that I have been involved in so many charity and community events over the years that it is hard to remember them all. Sarnia/Lambton is such a giving community — it is easy to get on board with causes that others are championing, and people will whole-heartedly support your cause in return. I would definitely like to see this continue, and I will do what I can to expand on the generosity of the people of Sarnia/Lambton.
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The sponsors and Kiley Marsden put on a wonderful event for the community.
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Shawn McKnight, myself, and the late Anne Sterling were pioneers of the first Artwalks.
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Downtown collective work since 2007, a successful BIA vote in 2019 — shut down by political agenda. That pattern needs to change.
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Jeffery Rafuse — great person and exceptional artist. Proud to be part of First Fridays with Terri O'Brien.
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So many great community events — I've had a blast participating, including with my two left feet!
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Voted Best Coffee — a milestone we were very proud of at Blackwater Coffee & Tea Company.
Planting Roots
It is unique to be 55 years old in a community with a huge number of childhood friends still in my life — and this is truly a blessing. I would like to see this same opportunity for the young people of today in our community. The more attractive the city is for them, the better the chance they won't have to leave for careers elsewhere.
As a child and young man, my life revolved around sports. The friendships I made on those teams are still a big part of my life. I learned so many lessons from sport and from the wonderful people who help kids in Sarnia/Lambton — and I want to make sure I pay it forward.
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Team picture for the Ontario Champs!
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1987 Ontario Championship — coached by the legendary Ted Garvin.
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Sold-out arenas for Junior C hockey. What a great bunch of guys!
Ready to Pull for Our Community Together?
Join Patrick's grassroots campaign — volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word.