These participating independent candidates and community members share a commitment to transparency, participation, compassion, fiscal responsibility, stronger local representation, and constructive cooperation. Each person maintains their own priorities, judgement, and responsibility while choosing to work together on shared principles and community goals.
Being listed on this page is separate from official candidate registration. The complete list of officially registered candidates is available in the Council Candidates directory.
Approximate locations show where each person has connections or an interest in taking responsibility. These locations can be refined as geographic ward and Local Area boundaries are developed.
At-large election → seven Councillors → one geographic ward assigned to each Councillor → about 10 Local Areas per ward → Local Representatives connected with residents
Owen Sound’s seven Councillors would continue to be elected at large by the whole city. After the 2026 election, Council would assign each Councillor primary responsibility for one geographic ward while all seven continue to represent the whole city and vote on every citywide matter. Each ward would contain about 10 Local Areas of roughly 150 households.
These participants are officially registered for elected roles on Owen Sound City Council. They share the cooperation’s principles while running independently and bringing their own experience, priorities, and judgement.
Andrii Zvorygin
Officially Registered
Role: Registered Candidate for Mayor of Owen Sound
Area served: City-wide
Andrii is a local farmer, IT professional, civic information publisher, Makerspace treasurer, and community advocate. His civic work has given him hands-on familiarity with Owen Sound Council, Grey County Council, municipal staff, local policy processes, and intergovernmental advocacy.
Main interests: Transparency, participation, compassion, local representation, affordable housing, and community resilience.
Role: Registered Candidate for Deputy Mayor of Owen Sound
Area served: City-wide
Scott is the sitting Deputy Mayor of Owen Sound and represents the City at Grey County Council. He is a long-time downtown business owner, co-owning Runner’s Den with his wife Tracy since 2006, and brings practical municipal and local business experience.
Main interests: Careful budgeting, practical municipal service, local business, and City-County coordination.
Thomas Arakal
Officially Registered
Role: Registered Candidate for Owen Sound City Council
Approximate geographic ward interest: Owen Sound East
Thomas brings experience from Canada Post, previous work as an Operations Manager, and service as Vice-President of CUPW Local 582. He is focused on dependable services, responsible spending, and responsive representation.
Main interests: Core services, transportation, housing, and accountable decisions.
David brings previous municipal-government experience from Esquimalt Council, Hanover Town Council, and Grey County Council. His public record also includes planning, library, heritage, environmental, community-grant, and municipal-insurance responsibilities.
Main interests: Fiscal responsibility, collaborative Council work, municipal and regional coordination, planning, and shared-service governance.
These participants are considering seeking election to Owen Sound City Council. They have agreed to these shared values but are not currently listed as officially registered candidates.
Dakota is Métis and runs Foss Customs, a local business providing automotive services. He is interested in forming connections with residents in Northeast Owen Sound while serving the city as a whole, and in helping people experiencing addictions.
Main interests: Local business, practical service, addiction support, stronger local representation, and resident participation.
Community Participants
Community Participants contribute to shared principles and community goals without seeking elected office. Some serve as Local Representatives, while future participants may help through local projects, meetings, outreach, research, or other forms of civic service.
Local Representatives are community liaisons who help residents within an approximate Local Area stay connected, organize community activities, identify shared priorities, and communicate with the Councillor responsible for their geographic ward.
James O.
Local Representative
Role: Local Representative
Approximate local area: Central Owen Sound
James is a local citizen journalist and advocate for people downtown. He helps maintain planters with edible plants and brings practical, street-level experience with listening, visibility, and care in the centre of the city.
Natalie brings a strong record of local service through many City committees and the Owen Sound Fall Fair. She has signed up to support local connections, practical care, and follow-up in Central Owen Sound.
Residents can express interest in becoming a potential at-large Council candidate or serving as a Local Representative. Approximate geographic ward responsibilities and Local Area assignments can be refined as public mapping work continues.
