Priorities

PROTECT PELHAM

After 8 years of dedicated service to the Town of Pelham, I have decided to seek re-election for a third term. While we dodged amalgamation for this election, the threat of forced amalgamation for the next term is real. Should the Province for municipalities to amalgamate, Pelham will lose its identity plus the level of service from your councilors and town staff. If we were to amalgamate, who knows if our festival and events will continue. Can you imagine the Bandshell Concert Series, Summerfest, our parades and other events being lost to our community? Council has invested substantial in firefighting equipment, snowplows, etc. which could be transferred to the larger municipality, and we get their older equipment.

I stand to protect our way of governance and our sense of community to the best of my abilities and continue to represent the best of our Town in all 3 wards.

Efficiencies in governance can be achieved by municipalities working together and sharing services. Some of this is already happening with shared staff such as legal and climate change employees. Additionally, Pelham is a member of Canoe, a collective of Ontario Municipalities taking advantage of bulk buying thereby lowering our purchasing costs.

PRIORITIZE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

For the past 8 years I have been a member of Pelham’s Audit and Finance Committee and Committee Chair for the first 4 years. Long term debt has been reduced from $46 million in 2018 to $22.2 million at the end of 2025. Part of the reduction was the sale of land around the Meridian Community Center in 2018 and 2019. The reserves at the end of 2018 were $2.9 million and at the end of 2025 reserves were $11.8 million. Reserves balances are a point in time. We have capital projects against these reserves that have not been spent yet in 2026. Reserves will be needed for such projects as the new Fire Staion 1, Libaray renovations, and the urbanization of roads, water and wastewater infrastructure.

PARKS AND TRAILS

I have always been a proponent of improving our parks and trails. This past year, the Town collaborated with the Fonthill Lions club and purchased Gordan L Klager Park. Council recently approved a trail alongside 12 mile creek which will be wheelchair accessible connecting to the Steve Bauer Trail.

The next 4 years will see development of the Ron Leavens Park in East Fonthill in 2017 as well as new parks in Saffron Meadows and the Forest Park subdivision. Aging playground equipment will be replaced in the next term of council.

PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA

In the next term of council I will ensure we will engage a consultant to determine how we can best utilize our parking in the downtown area. I have had several concerns by area residents and businesses regarding on street parking and the utilization of Town parking lots. Improvement is warranted.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The Town of Pelham’s tree canopy is currently at 32% with a commitment by the Town to be at 40% coverage by 2035. The reconstruction on Emmett and College Streets will result in a large number of older trees being removed. These trees are 65 years old with a life span of 80 years. Construction on the street will result in damage to the trees. The Town needs to ensure replacement trees are not saplings but more established trees. The Town needs to step up the planting of trees to ensure we reach our 2035 target. Alos, development needs to protect our forest woodlands as well as protect our wetlands.

I have received countless emails about the lack of trimming of boulevard trees. The Town has one arborist on staff, and an outside tree service is contracted to assist with tree maintenance. When residents call the Town, they get responses that there are 100 trees that need to be taken care of before the resident can have their boulevard tree can be trimmed. Either the Town needs to change the scope of the contractor, or a further arborist needs to be added to staff. If elected I will ensure this will be addressed in next year’s budget.