What Does a Mayor Actually Do?
There is a lot of misunderstanding about what a mayor actually does. The mayor isn’t the boss of council. The mayor doesn’t make municipal decisions
What I Set Out to Do
When I first ran for Mayor, I knew there would be a lot to learn. I just didn’t know exactly what I would learn, what
Why I’m Running Again
Four years ago, I asked for your support to serve as Mayor of West Nipissing. Today, I’m asking for the opportunity to continue that work.
In the News : 2026
Kathleen Thorne Rochon seeks second term as West Nipissing’s mayor
August 7, 2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
Municipal advocacy group names northern caucus
August 20, 2026 — BayToday —Read the story →
Just how hard is it to be mayor? Canadian politicians weigh in as Star launches ‘If I Were Mayor’ series
April 2026 — Toronto Star — Read the story →
West Nipissing welcomes Ontario’s first Francophone lieutenant governor during Francophonie Month
March 24, 2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
Province provides millions for Verner water project
January 23, 2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
West Nipissing Mayor reflects on work with Small Cities Initiative
June 2026 — Report North Bay — Read the story →
What Happens When Ontario Shrinks Conservation Authorities?
April 29, 2026 — TVO / The Rundown — Watch/listen →
$30 million in government funding will give more residents access to high-speed internet
August 7, 2026 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
West Nipissing’s Field of Dreams is heading to home plate
2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
Crystal Falls community club in the works
June 26, 2026 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Municipal advocacy group names northern caucus
August 20, 2026 — Timmins Today — Read the story →
Mayor Thorne Rochon leads volunteer awards ceremony celebrating community impact
July 13, 2026 — Penticton Herald — Read the story →
West Nipissing council approves upgrades for Verner Arena
April 20, 2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
West Nipissing Legion to commemorate veterans with street art project
July 31, 2026 — BayToday — Read the story →
A launchpad for civic engagement
May 1, 2026 — Toronto Star — Read the story →
In the News : 2025
WN Mayor brings small town drug crisis to the forefront
December 12, 2025 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Strong mayor powers coming to West Nipissing, mayor expresses caution
April 11, 2025 — BayToday — Read the story →
Goulard Park revitalization gets a $149,000 kick-start
May 16, 2025 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Putting Communities First: Small Cities Initiative
2025 — CCSA Issues of Substance — Learn more →
West Nipissing passed motion to reconsider provincial herbicide plan
August 12, 2025 — CTV News — Read the story →
Former OPP commander Mike Pilon takes on CAO role in West Nipissing
October 2, 2025 — BayToday — Read the story →
Former OPP Superintendant hired as West Nipissing CAO
October 3, 2025 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Former councillor honoured by OPP and municipality
March 21, 2025 — North Bay Nugget — Read the story →
In the News : 2024
Former Sturgeon mill to be converted to business centre and housing
August 28, 2024 — Northern Ontario Business — Read the story →
FedNor pours $147,000 into local initiatives
August 30, 2024 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Next steps for former Sturgeon Falls mill site
September 4, 2024 — BayToday — Read the story →
450 seniors treated to dinner and dance by the town
December 20, 2024 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
West Nipissing hopes ‘exciting’ development heals ‘scar’ left behind by paper mill
September 26, 2024 — CBC News — Read the story →
Remediation will follow environmental assessment at former mill site
September 6, 2024 — Northern Ontario Business — Read the story →
West Nipissing mayor joins national summit on tackling substance use and addiction crisis
September 6, 2024 — CTV News — Read the story →
WN mayor and hospital CEO team up to lobby at ROMA conference
February 2, 2024 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Putting local concerns on provincial ministries’ radar
February 2, 2024 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
Mill site vision receives awards, but there’s lots of work ahead to make it reality
March 1, 2024 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
In the News : 2023
WN council pleased and optimistic after AMO delegations
September 15, 2023 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
West Nipissing council outlines road ahead
March 11, 2023 — BayToday — Read the story →
Les défis des nouvelles mairesses
March 9, 2023 — Le Voyageur — Read the story →
New Township sign unveiled in Field
September 29, 2023 — West Nipissing Tribune — Read the story →
No more two-year vacancies for West Nipissing council
May 10, 2023 — BayToday — Read the story →
WATCH & LISTEN
Kathleen Rochon Does Her Homework: Speaking with West Nipissing Mayor About Local Issues – North Bay Echo Podcast
Watch the interview →
CTV Northern Ontario — Mayor’s Chair: Kathleen Rochon
CTV Northern Ontario — Watch the interview →
What Happens When Ontario Shrinks Conservation Authorities?
TVO — The Rundown — Watch/listen →
Les défis des nouvelles mairesses
Le Voyageur — audio — Listen →