Roy Pennell

Ameliasburgh Ward Four

Alifelong resident of Prince Edward County, Roy Pennell served as Ward 4 councillor from 2014 to 2018. He continued working the family farm after becoming a widower in 2018, but kept active in the community through volunteering and maintaining a keen interest in local politics.

“If elected, I promise a common-sense approach with continuous evaluation as to what works and what doesn’t and to work with Council to ensure we constantly evaluate to strengthen our governance for you,” said Pennell, who was the youngest person ever elected to council prior to amalgamation.

The former councillor has strong feelings about affordable housing and feels Council should re-evaluate the costs of handling the paperwork and procedures of development in the County.

“Any development that takes place other than a single house should pay a premium percentage in lieu of affordable housing, with no exceptions,” he said. “If affordability is met then younger families will want to raise their family in the County.”

When asked about tourism management, Pennell said some aspects are working, but suggested the County should not be working alone on this. “I believe through better working relations with our neighbours, we all could gain by sharing success and eliminate some of the failures.”

He believes the County’s water system is in dire need of change, adding: “I feel the council has done a terrible job on water works. I believe we have created a system where accountability is questionable.” He said he would support creating a waterworks board of three councillors and five community members who use the water utilities to evaluate the system and bring recommendations directly to Council through an elected chair.

Pennell said a lot of attention is given to heritage and environmental sustainability, but it is important to include public input in any decisions.

On the subject of the size of council, he replied, “I believe every few years evaluation must be done as to where you have been and what direction you’re heading towards.”