About Bernie

I am 49 years old and the third generation of my family to live and work in Oliver Paipoonge. My wife, Kerri (Edwards) Kamphof is also a life long resident and involved in our community. She works part-time for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit as a Dental Health Educator and also part time at Confederation College in Thunder Bay.

Our children attended Crestview School in Murillo, youngest son Eric is looking forward to completing Grade 12 at Westgate next year, our middle son Ethan is studying Engineering at Lakehead University and our daughter Emily is a Psychology student at Lakehead University in addition to working part time on our farm. We have been involved in local minor hockey, dance and skiing and our children are also busy in several community and church youth groups.

We try to get out and enjoy the outdoors as a family as much as we can, snowmobiling in winter or at camp in summer. We are very thankful to be able to raise our children in a community that shares our values and goals.

My personal strengths applicable to Municipal Council are problem solving skills, proficiency in fiscal management and an ability and willingness to look at both sides of an issue before making a decision.  I have gained strong interpersonal skills through being an employer and my community involvement and this has enabled me to be an effective council member. I have strong convictions but realize that incremental solutions to our problems are sometimes more realistic than drastic changes.  I work well with others and can respect opinions that may be different from my own.

As someone with a busy family and active business, my vision and goals for our Municipality are focused and dedicated to the future.

Thank you for your support this past term.

Thank you for considering me to represent your interests on Oliver Paipoonge Council for another four years.