Hanover Council

L to R - Harold Fleet, Carol Hudson, Warren Dickert, Sue Paterson, Brandon Koebel, Susan Sakal, Dave Hocking
Residents of Hanover elected the current Town Council, consisting a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and five Councillors, to a four year governance term (November 15, 2022 to November 14, 2026). The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also represent Hanover on Grey County Council.
Hanover Council functions very cohesively to ensure all members are engaged and truly responsive to our community. Working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and Department Heads, Council’s priorities are the implementation of the Strategic Plan objectives, quality leadership, community vision and sustainability and local government that Hanover citizens can trust and feel confident in. Together, we are well positioned to address current and future challenges, while embracing change and opportunities.
Your future in Hanover has stability, promise and assurance. It is good for you to be here!
Sue Paterson
Mayor
Board/Committee Representation
- Police Services Board
- Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority
- Westario Power Board of Directors
- Grey County Council
- Grey Bruce Board of Health
Mayor Sue Paterson entered municipal government as a councillor for the Town of Hanover in 2003 and was elected Mayor of Hanover in 2014, 2018 and 2022. After a sixteen year career at P&H Foods in administration, with her last position of export logistics coordinator being the highlight, Sue accepted the position of fundraising coordinator for the Hanover & District Hospital Foundation in 2002. Sue has achieved the personal and professional competency credential of a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She retired from fund raising in 2017, but still has a soft spot for charities and community causes. Sue has a strong affiliation with the Royal Canadian Legion and has held many offices including President of the Hanover Legion and Zone C-3 Poppy Chair – a connection developed through her father, a World War II veteran. Sue has called Hanover her home for over 55 years. Sue loves Hanover and its lifestyle. If she is not in the Town office you can always find her walking the trails or touring the local neighbourhoods of Hanover.
Warren Dickert
Deputy Mayor
Board/Committee Representation
- Hanover-Walkerton Waste Management Committee
- Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART)
Deputy Mayor Warren Dickert is serving in his second term on Hanover Council. He is retired from a 37-year career in the utility industry. His career there has given him broad experience in leadership roles, budget planning and compliance, sales, human resources, and municipal relations. He also has significant experience within the community serving as Chair of the Hanover Police Services Board and numerous other volunteer roles in the Hanover area. Warren and his wife Deb have been proud residents of Hanover since 1990, they have two children, Craig (his wife Leah) and Crystal (her husband Shawn) and are proud grandparents to two granddaughters, Keeley and Brianna.
Harold Fleet
Councillor
Board/Committee Representation
- Age-Friendly Advisory Committee
- Board of Management for the Downtown Improvement Area (DIA)
- Planning Advisory Committee
Councillor Harold Fleet was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving his second term on Hanover Council. Harold was born and raised in Hanover, and has lived and worked here for his whole life. He is married to his wife Heather for 46 years, and feels fortunate to live in a community with so much to offer. Harold has a strong background of volunteering in the community. He has been involved with many sports teams over the years, and has volunteered for many community projects. Harold has been a member of the Hanover Legion Branch 130 for over 35 years. He was a Director with Community Living Harc for 10 years. Harold is looking forward to working with Council and Hanover Town Staff for the next 4 years.
Dave Hocking
Councillor
Board/Committee Representation
- Police Services Board
- Saugeen Municipal Airport Commission
Councillor Dave Hocking is married to his wife Lorna and has a daughter Stephanie, two granddaughters Ashley and Taylor and two great grandaughters Avaleigh and Sophie. Dave is a proud Hanoverian who was born and raised in Hanover and attended James A Magee Elementary School and Hanover and District High School. Dave has a Honours BSc from University of Guelph and teaching certificate from Althouse College of Education as well as a Master Degree in Education from OiSE. Dave's teaching career spanned over 31 years and he retired as principal of JDSS in 2002. Dave then worked for Royal Lepage RCR Realty for 12 years. Dave served 3 terms on Town Council from 1985 to 1993 and finished his 4th term from 2018-2022. Dave has served as fundraising chair for the construction of 3 capital projects namely; the Aquatic Centre, the Medical Centre and the P & H Centre and served on the Hanover and District Hospital Board for 10 years having served as chair of the board for 3 years. Currently Dave is a member of the Hanover and District Probus Club. Dave served as council appointee on the Library Board, Parks, Recreaction and Culture Committee, Economic Development Committee, Cultural Roundtable and Saugeen Municipal Airport Commission. Dave is looking forward to his return to council and working with the new council, the staff and community volunteers as we collectively build on the accomplishments of previous councils and volunteer groups. Dave considers it a great honour to serve the people of Hanover once again.
Carol Hudson
Councillor
Board/Committee Representation
- Committee of Adjustment / Property Standards Committee
- Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee
- Public Library Board
Councillor Carol Hudson is beginning her first term on Hanover Council. Raised in the Hanover area along with siblings Marion and John she has spent the last 45 years working in Hanover and the surrounding area. She has had a diverse career in hospitality, sales, marketing and currently operates her own business providing services to our senior population. She feels that by being actively involved in the community for years with curling, lawn bowling, Rotary and the VON SMART program she has gotten to experience many opportunities to meet new people and learn new things. Volunteering on many levels for many events has given her a fine appreciation for our town and the people in it. She is excited to take this next step in her journey forward and is pleased to have the opportunity to give back to her home town.
Brandon Koebel
Councillor
Board/Committee Representation
- Hanover Bentinck and Brant Agricultural Society
- Hanover Raceway Committee
- Committee of Adjustment / Property Standards Committee
- Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee
Councillor Brandon Koebel has a true love for the Town of Hanover. He was raised just outside of town, and worked for the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department for nearly a decade. Brandon returned to Hanover in 2015 after attending Trent University and Queen’s University where he obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degree. He completed his Master of Education Degree focusing on Education Technology and Leadership in 2019. Brandon is a High School Math Teacher currently on assignment as an Education Consultant where he works with teachers and students to promote career/life and pathway planning from kindergarten to Grade 12. Brandon was first elected to Hanover’s Town Council in 2018. He is community-minded and recognizes that volunteers, locally-owned businesses, community groups, and service clubs are the backbone of what makes Hanover a great place to live, work, and play. Brandon is committed to ensuring that Hanover remains a vibrant, progressive, and inclusive community that attracts and retains residents of all ages. He looks forward to serving the residents of Hanover during his second term on Council.
Susan Sakal
Councillor
Board/Committee Representation
- Community Safety and Well Being Committee
- Economic, Tourism and Culture Development Committee
- Launch Pad
Councillor Susan Sakal is serving her first term on Council. Susan has lived in Hanover with her husband, Brian, for 43 years where they raised two children and now they have a grandson. She retired in 2013 after a 34 year teaching career at Sacred Heart High School where she was a department head for many years. From 2014 to 2022 Susan served as Vice Chair and a member of the Hanover Public Library Board. As a library representative, she was a member of Hanover’s Cultural Roundtable from 2019 to 2022 which allowed Susan to join forces with a variety of cultural partners. An organization that is close to Susan’s heart is the Hanover and Area Operation Christmas Child group. From 2013 to 2022 her small team has packed shoeboxes filled with small gifts for needy children around the world. In an effort to stay healthy and active, Susan joined the Hanover Area PROBUS Club where she participates in a variety of activities offered by the organization. Susan looks forward to working on behalf of the citizens of Hanover over the next four years and she hopes to continue volunteering as much as possible.