Gary Serviss, the current Mayor of Petawawa, was born in Manitouwadge, Ontario, and moved to Petawawa with his family in 1969. He spent ten years living in Baden and Lahr, Germany, while his father taught at Canadian Forces Base high schools.
Gary enjoyed a 30-year teaching career that included time at Dakota Collegiate in Winnipeg, the Pembroke Jail, Fellowes High School, General Panet High School and Valour High School. He has thoroughly enjoyed serving the residents of Petawawa for the past eight years as a member of town council and looks forward to serving as mayor in the next term, working together to make Petawawa an even better community in which to live, work and play.
myFM had the opportunity to sit down with Gary for this conversation:
Petawawa, with the Garrison front and centre, is often considered to be something of a “transient community,” as soldiers are deployed and new base personnel come through in their place. Serviss says this isn’t quite the case anymore:
Residential growth is also a matter of concern for any growing town or city, and Serviss says there has been — and continues to be — growth in that area as well:
Growth in other areas of the town was evident in 2025, says Serviss, along with a new facelift, signage-wise, that is currently in the works:
New infrastructure is also on the rise in the town, says Serviss, which further lends itself to the notion of a growing population:
Improvements in various other areas of the town are continuing as well, helping to maintain a fresh look heading into 2026:
One of the Valley’s biggest summer festivals was held this past summer, bringing people from all over to the Valley — something Serviss says is good news:
Even the fire department gets a nod from Serviss in 2025:
It’s all about moving forward in 2026, says Serviss, and the plans are in place to make sure that happens:
In a word, “growth” is what’s in store for the Town of Petawawa in 2026, and Mayor Serviss says there’s only one way to move — and that’s forward.
(Written By: Richard Evans)