Bill McMahon

Ameliasburgh Ward Four

Bill McMahon is a husband, father, retired businessman, volunteer and community activist all in one. He and his wife, Paulina, have lived in Consecon since 1999, and over the past 20 years, McMahon has gained a deep love and respect for the County. He’s found a “sense of place” here that he feels very passionate about and feels an intense need to give back to the place that has filled him with such happiness over the years. McMahon’s involvement in the community over the past decade has been extensive to say the least. He served a four-year term as president of CARA (Consecon and Area Ratepayers Association), is on the Ameliasburgh Rec Committee, is a member of the Friends of the Museums of Prince Edward County and is the past president of the Prince Edward Community Theatre. When it comes to community ties, McMahon has earned them the right way, by volunteering and actually caring about the people and places around him.

“I believe I’ve demonstrated that I possess the experience, enthusiasm and qualifications required to shape a more sustainable, cost-effective and skillfully governed Prince Edward County. It’s about what I see as taking the next step in community building, leveraging the professional and volunteer experience I have and bringing a new perspective to the table,” says McMahon.

McMahon goes on to say that as a councillor, he would have many touch points in people’s lives and would therefore be able to encourage and facilitate making the County better one step at a time. He also feels that being a councillor would have the most direct impact on people’s everyday lives than any other position in public office.

“I’m running because we need fresh ideas, creative solutions and bold, progressive vision at Shire Hall. I’m running for council, because I wish to serve my community, to provide good leadership, to plan and build for the future. I’m running because I believe I have a contribution to make, ideas to be shared, passion that won’t dwindle and a commitment to do the right thing no matter what,” says McMahon.

Concerns facing Ward Four according to McMahon fall in line with what other Ward Four candidates are saying, which is that the Ameliasburgh residents feel alienated and that Shire Hall does not work for them. McMahon says that the people of Ward Four feel shunned and are not getting their fair share of the return, as the distribution of tax dollars is lopsided. Hence the 34 per cent turnout in the 2014 election. Other major concerns from McMahon are roads and escalating water rates for those on the various different water systems in Ward 4, especially those getting their water from Quinte West and Belleville, whose customers pay significantly less.

The lack of housing of any kind is also of great concern to McMahon, who says that it is on the verge of becoming a catastrophe. Affordability as well as the availability of housing is an obstacle for young families and individuals looking to make the move here. More housing stock is needed that people can afford to rent and or buy and although McMahon doesn’t have the answer now, he’s hoping to win his ward and be involved in the decision-making process so that maybe an answer will come sooner rather than later. In the meantime, McMahon’s excitement about his first possible seat on council is backed by some strong local supporters who are giving back to McMahon what he’s been giving to the local Legion and the Consecon area for many years now. Commitment and passion.

“This means I could affect and influence many opportunities to strengthen the community as a whole. I would be able to connect people, organizations, businesses, community groups to each other so they can share their strengths and their knowledge. I want to be a part of building community relationships,” says McMahon.