Kregar Puts Out 20 Year Fire – Reconnecting Community, Restoring Service & Dignity #ManOfTheYear #StandYourGround

Wingham has faced its share of storms, but this one isn’t made of smoke and flame. It’s a slow-burning crisis of selective enforcement, broken trust, and pedestrian safety that has smoldered for nearly twenty years. Today, that fire finally met its match.

Fire Chief Chad Kregar has stepped forward.

Quietly at first. Then clearly. And now decisively.

Those who know Chad know this already: he’s an excellent human being. A servant-leader. A man who believes public safety means all the public, not just the convenient parts. Over the past weeks, Chad has drawn a firm line—standing up to Public Works, standing up for pedestrians, and standing with the people of Wingham.

“This isn’t about power,” Chad told the Free Press. “It’s about people. Everyone in our community should be treated equally.”

That sentence alone marks a turning point.

For years, residents have raised alarms about sidewalks treated as snow dumps, about safety infrastructure ignored, about rules enforced on citizens but not on the municipality itself. That long battle has exhausted people. It has injured people. It has divided people.

And now—finally—someone in authority has chosen to end it.

“We’re Canadians,” Chad said. “We hold doors open for strangers. We look out for each other. We don’t dump snow on our sidewalks and call it normal.”

With that, Chad made his choice: people over power.

A Community Reconnected

Under Chad’s direction, pedestrian safety infrastructure will be maintained—consistently and without exceptions. Sidewalks are being recognized for what they are: safety infrastructure, not storage space. Children, seniors, workers, and visitors all deserve the same protection.

This decision doesn’t just clear paths; it clears the air.

The nearly 20-year standoff between the Free Press and North Huron/Wingham Town Hall ends here—not with shouting, but with leadership. Not with force, but with fairness. Wingham can finally move forward, connected and protected, as a community should be.

Call to Action: Volunteers Needed

But even heroes need help.

To make this work immediately, volunteers are urgently needed to assist with operating trackless sidewalk machines and supporting safe pedestrian access.

When: On or before January 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Wingham — ahead of the next council meeting

This is also the moment when the public will peacefully re-assert democracy—showing up, asking questions, and standing firm despite past intimidation. Cameras up. Voices calm. Resolve unshaken.

Chad’s message to the community is simple and powerful:
“You matter. Your life has value. Your safety is worth the effort.”

A Gentle Reminder From Your Fire Chief

While you’re stepping up for your neighbors, take a moment to protect your home:

• Make sure smoke detectors are working
• Ensure smoke and CO₂ detectors are installed on every floor
• Check batteries regularly—especially in winter

Public safety doesn’t end at the sidewalk. It starts at your front door.

The Fire We’re Putting Out

This is the biggest fire Wingham has faced—not because of its size, but because of its impact on trust and safety. And for the first time in a long time, there is real hope.

Chad Kregar didn’t defect from his duty.
He fulfilled it.

History remembers moments like this—not for who held power, but for who chose people.

Wingham, this is your moment. Step forward. You’re worth it.

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