Meet Andy
For more than 43 years, Haldimand County has been home.
It's where I grew up, where I went to school, played hockey, raced motocross, built businesses, raised lifelong friendships, and learned what hard work really means.
Although my family and I now live just outside the county in Simcoe, Haldimand has never stopped being home to me. My businesses continue to operate in Dunnville, I work here five or six days every week, and nearly every part of my daily life still revolves around this community.
I still buy my coffee here.
I still bank here.
I still get my hair cut here.
I still work here.
Most importantly, my family, friends, employees, customers and the community that helped shape me are still here.
An invisible county line doesn't change where your roots are.
It certainly hasn't changed mine.
Growing Up
I was raised on a small rural farm just outside Dunnville. From an early age I learned the value of hard work, responsibility and earning everything you have. My very first job was around ten years old, working on my neighbour Fred Topp's dairy farm. Helping with feeding the cows and working to unload hay wagons and stacking bales in the mow I earned my very first pay cheque. With that money, I paid for my very first dirt bike. This was my first lesson in the value of a dollar in life; work hard and earn what you desire. That purchase brought me to my next lesson in life and that was a passion for doing something I enjoyed.
Sports, Competition & Life Lessons
Growing up, hockey and motocross became my greatest passions. I competed across Ontario and New York State for many years racing motocross - learning discipline, teamwork, determination and resilience, through competition. Those opportunities led me towards my entrepreneurial passion. While those experiences were exciting, the greatest lessons weren't about winning races. They were about preparation, perseverance, overcoming setbacks and always getting back up after being knocked down. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life.
I've been an entrepreneur for more than twenty years. Like many small business owners, I started with an idea, a willingness to work, and a belief that if I treated people right, opportunities would follow. Some of my earliest entrepreneurial work involved designing and building motocross tracks using heavy equipment and working with the Racing sanction body across Ontario organizing and running race events. That passion eventually led me into construction, where I helped build projects including the Canadian Tire store, right here in Dunnville, while working with Manshield Construction. I later opened a clothing and skateboard shop in Dunnville before expanding into the landscaping, construction and property maintenance industry.
Building Businesses in Haldimand
Today, I'm proud to own Griffin Landscape Management Solutions and Joe Dirt's Garden & Stone Depot. These local businesses continue to employ local people, invest locally and support our local economy. Over the years, we've worked with homeowners, farmers, businesses, institutions and municipalities throughout the region. We've also held and hold municipal service contracts with Haldimand County.
I believe transparency is essential, so I want residents to know that if elected Mayor I will fully comply with Ontario's Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and all applicable legislation. Whenever required, I will declare any conflict and remove myself from decisions where appropriate. Doing the right thing should never be optional.
Giving Back
Community has always been about more than business. Over the years my companies, employees and I have been proud to support countless local organizations, charities, sports teams and community events. Whether it's donating thousands of pounds of food and toys to local families through the Salvation Army, helping organize Christmas initiatives, supporting local artists by building award-winning parade floats, sponsoring community events, providing equipment and volunteers for projects, or stepping up to install Dunnville's Christmas displays when no one else wanted to take on the responsibility...We've always believed that if you have the ability to help your community, you should. Not because someone asked. Because it's the right thing to do.
Family First
Life has a way of changing your plans. After reconnecting with my now wife, Ashley, who I originally attended high school with, we spent over four years together while living nearly an hour and a half apart, each with our own careers and homes. When we learned we were expecting our daughter, Isabella, everything changed. We began searching for a home together in Caledonia, Hagersville and Jarvis so we could stay within Haldimand and have an equally shared distance for our work commutes as we both while living separately were only 10 minute drives. I lived and worked in Dunnville and Ashley the Cambridge/Kitchener area.
Despite weeks of searching, housing availability and affordability simply didn't line up with what our growing family needed.
Eventually we found our home just across the county line in Simcoe and moved there in September 2025. It wasn't something we planned.
It wasn't something I ever expected. If you had asked me years ago whether I'd ever leave Dunnville after living at the same home for nearly twenty years, I would have said no. But family comes first. Sometimes life deals you a different hand than you expected. You adapt, you make sacrifices, and you build the best future you can for your family. Many young families across Haldimand know exactly what that feels like.
Why I'm Running
I'm not running because I need another title.
I'm running because I believe Haldimand County deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, respectful and focused on results.
I've spent my life solving problems, creating jobs, managing budgets, leading teams and building relationships. I've seen firsthand what happens when people work together.
I've also seen what happens when politics gets in the way of progress. I believe our residents deserve better. Whether you've lived here your entire life or just moved here yesterday, you deserve a council that listens, communicates openly and puts residents first.
My commitment to Haldimand County didn't end when my mailing address changed.
If anything, becoming a husband and father has only strengthened my desire to help ensure this county remains a place where families can build their future for generations to come.
Because no matter where I sleep at night...Haldimand County will always be home.
Campaign Contact Details
andy@griffinformayor.ca
Phone
289-776-5717