Meet Your Council
Meet Your Council
Mayor David Hayward
davidhayward@sysrc.ca
I grew up in Nasonworth, where my parents continued to live, in the same house, until 2022 when they decided to move to Rusagonis where my parents grew up and where I have lived for the last 25 years. To say my roots run very deep in the community would be an understatement. I am the very proud father of two children Madison and Cameron that I have had the privilege of raising in Rusagonis with my wife Theresa.
I have worked for the last 30 years with the Sobeys Distribution team in various capacities managing a very large team.
I have operated Covered Bridge Farm in Rusagonis for the last 25 years with my brother. Many may be familiar with the farm on the blind hill in Rusagonis.
I have spent the last few years as the Chairman of the Rusagonis/Waasis LSD as well as various other boards and organizations on the local, Provincial and Federal levels for many years.
In the last few years we have seen the Rusagonis/Waasis area be the top growing rural community in Canada. It’s unprecedented growth is welcome but I am of the opinion that we do not want to lose the many things that have attracted said growth.
Deputy Mayor Joey Bernard
joeybernard@sysrc.ca
Joey Bernard is originally from Moncton and has lived in the Charters Settlement area for nearly 25 years. He has worked at UNB for past 15 years, first in the Computer Science department and then in the Physics department. Before that, he spent 8 years as a software developer at Caris Software.
He has volunteered with the 1st New Maryland Scouts in various roles since 2010. He has also volunteered as an instructor and mentor with groups such as Software Carpentry and Research Software Engineering. He has volunteered to be on the Parent-School Support Committees, which work with the school administration to develop school improvement plans, for the last 9 years. He has also been on the hiring committees for the principals at Bliss Carman Middle School and Fredericton High School.
In his political background, he was a volunteer on the New Maryland Local Service District for several years before the local governance reforms. On the LSD committee, he worked with the other committee members to get a dry hydrant installed in the Country Squires area of Charters Settlement. He also worked with landowners and the provincial government towards developing an emergency exit for the Charters Settlement area. As a member of the New Maryland LSD, he sat on the Community Policing Committee at RSC11. He is currently serving a 3 year term on the PRAC (Planning and Review Adjustment Committee), which hears cases on property planning issues.
On a personal note, Joey has been married for 29 years, with two sons. He enjoys tinkering and building things out of wood. He is currently trying to learn how to grow bonsai trees, with a small amount of success.
Ward 1 Larry Delong
larrydelong@sysrc.ca
Larry has a background in many successful ventures, such as International Business, Financial Skills, and Entrepreneurial Skills. He also has experience in Sales and Sales Management Project Management. He has a double Bachelors Degrees along with many other accreditations. He has many years of leadership and community involvement:
Member- Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI), Member and Treasurer of Nasonworth Baptist Church, Member of New Maryland Lions- a humanitarian service organization, Volunteer- Fredericton Community Kitchen, Former Board of Advisors- International Association of Students of Economics and Commerce (AEISEC), Served as Volunteer Advisor with Junior Achievement Fredericton, Past Board Member/Coach of Fredericton Youth Hockey Association, Volunteer coach for Fredericton District Soccer Association, Past Vice President of Fredericton Boys and Girls Club, Past Board member of the New Maryland Soccer Association, Member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, Member of the Canadian College of Immigration Consultants, Member of CAPIC- Canadian Assoc. of Professional Immigration Consultants, Board Member and Treasurer (2022) for Bibles for Mission Thrift Store, Volunteer Driver Meals on Wheels Fredericton.
Ward 2 Matthew Sheppard
matthewsheppard@sysrc.ca
Hello Sunbury-York South!
My name is Matthew Sheppard and I am excited to be one of your new councillors. First and foremost, my ultimate goal in this position is to make our area the lowest taxed and most free community in New Brunswick.
I was born in Fredericton and raised in rural New Brunswick, 15 minutes away from where I now live in Rusagonis. I know this area well and I am pleased to be representing this dynamic rural region.
My wife and I are blessed to be raising our three daughters in this community. Our children are fortunate to have two sets of grandparents and even one set of great-grandparents living within ten minutes of us. We plan to make this area our forever home.
My long-standing interest in politics and my volunteer experience on many political campaigns has provided great insight to serve as councillor. I have also been on multiple federal and provincial political boards.
The newly established local government positions have the potential to do great things and be a much-needed voice for this area. However, I am concerned as this opens the door for a small number of people to make policies that could negatively affect the nearly 8,000 people living in this community. This was the motivating factor that led me to throw my hat into the ring this past election. I pledge to use my voice and my vote to block any big government ideas that try to come to our independent rural area.
Join me in making Sunbury-York South the lowest taxed and most free community in New Brunswick!
Thank you!
Ward 2 Susan Yarom
susanyarom@sysrc.ca
Susan Yarom grew up in Rothesay and graduated with a BA from UNB, majoring in Information and Communication Studies. She moved to Whittaker Rd, Rusagonis in 2020 with her husband and two cats to create a homestead and live more sustainably.
While on the SYSRC council, Coun. Yarom hopes to protect the rural nature of our beautiful community.
During the day, Coun. Yarom works in the non-profit sector. She also runs a consulting business with her husband, Elad. In her free time, she enjoys tending to the garden and travelling with her husband.
Councilor at Large Gilles Turner
gillesturner@sysrc.ca
Councilor Gilles Turner was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He grew up on a mixed farm, producing grains and livestock; his first paid work was as a ranch and farm hand in his community. Gilles joined the Canadian Armed Forces in the Primary Reserves while attending the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Saskatoon. He transferred to the Regular Forces upon graduation, where he served for twenty five years before transferring back to the Primary Reserves; for a total of twenty seven years. Gilles and his family have lived in Ontario, Manitoba and he retired from the military in New Brunswick. He has spent considerable time in every province except for Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Territories. Gilles worked for five years as a federal public servant after leaving the Regular Forces and was employed as a heavy equipment maintenance supervisor; retiring in 2020.
Gilles gained various qualifications, broadening his knowledge throughout his military career which he hopes to utilize as a councillor. He has collaborated with people from very diverse backgrounds and has significant experience in planning, implementation, management, safety and other fields. Gilles has received a Brigade Soldier of the Year award (1998), a National award as Technician of the Year (1999); Western Area Commander Commendation (2003) and completed the Officer Professional Military Education Program (2008). He has deployed on both domestic and NATO operations, trained in the United States and taught for the New Zealand Defence Force. Beyond his military background, Gilles is a Red Seal Truck and Transport Mechanic, seasoned martial artist, former soccer and football coach, scuba diver, competitive shooter and a member of the Free and Accepted Freemasons of New Brunswick. He and his wife reside in Nasonworth; they have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Councilor at Large Tegan Noble
tegannoble@sysrc.ca
Tegan Noble graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2016 with a BSc. Honours in Environment and Natural Resources Management. Tegan has experienced working with private, public and not for profit sectors including the previous Rusagonis-Waasis LSD Advisory Committee.
Tegan is family oriented with two children and enjoys helping her husband with their beef cattle. Tegan decided to run because she is passionate about her community and dedicated to ensuring a good quality of life for current and future residents.
Ward 2 seat vacant
More information about the upcoming by-election will be available here soon.