William “Swamp” Thing
SWAMP COLLEGE WARD 10 While Britain had Count Binface run in a recent byelection, the County now has its own spoof candidate: William “Swamp” Thing. “I am living proof that whatever humankind needs, the swamp can provide,” he states. “This is why one of my campaign priorities is ‘LESS CITY MORE SWAMPY’.” The Swamp College Road resident is not on the official ballot, but he does take a soggy stand on most political issues. For example, Mr. Thing offers an 18-point plan for the controversial Wellington waterworks that would involve drilling 18 holes in the existing pipeline to create— you guessed […]
Tracey Stevens
NORTH MARYSBURGH WARD 8 When Tracey Stevens meets voters across the County, she often hears that residents feel decisions at Shire Hall are made without consultation with taxpayers. “The biggest challenge facing the next Council is restoring trust between ratepayers and Shire Hall,” the Ward 8 candidate says, adding that rebuilding that trust should involve community input on major decisions, a clear view of the budget process and firm rules on growth. “Trust is earned through consistent behaviour, not promised in a campaign. That’s the standard I’ll hold myself to.” Ms. Stevens has more than 20 years of corporate experience, including […]
Bill Roberts
SOPHIASBURGH WARD 6 As the incumbent councillor in Sophiasburgh, Bill Roberts says he is well versed in local issues, but never loses sight of the big picture. “Our country is at its most crucial and consequential moment in history. Our political, economic and technology sovereignty are under attack,” he says. “These aren’t normal times; serious challenges deserve serious leadership.” Pointing to his experience in managing largebudget organizations like TVOntario and VisionTV, he says, “I’m an optimist by nature, preferring to nudge people together rather than driving them apart. … For example, within living memory, PEC had the highest social assistance percentage […]
Megan Hutton
SOPHIASBURGH WARD 6 Lifelong County resident Megan Hutton says she is running for Council to give Sophiasburgh a new option at the table, someone who will hold the budget to account. “I don’t simply mean cutting spending,” she says. “I mean looking at where our money is going and asking: Is it working? Are residents experiencing the benefit? Is there a better or more efficient way to do it? And are we making decisions today that are going to cost us much more tomorrow?” An award-winning musician and playwright who is also an entrepreneur and educator, Ms. Hutton says looking for […]
Mark Henry
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 Mark Henry sees an array of issues facing the County, but the Ward 2 candidate for Council feels that Willis Road is a clear example of what’s wrong with local government today. “It’s a short road—perhaps it missed the scan process that prioritizes road improvements,” he says. “The road is like driving over a pioneer days log road. My poor car vibrates to the point where driving in the ditch looks more appealing!” The former dairy farmer and insurance executive admits that fixing one broken road may be difficult at a time when budgets are tight. “We’re trying […]
Jane Lesslie
PICTON WARD 1 Jane Lesslie believes that tax increases could be contained by using technology to improve and automate various processes within the County. “This needs to be done throughout the municipality,” says the Picton candidate for Council. “Too many processes are weak, inefficient and too manual. And with better data and information we get better decisions.” A chartered financial analyst who spent 24 years analyzing government finances, Ms. Lesslie says her worries about the County’s debt load cast a shadow over the proposed Wellington-to-Picton water pipeline project. “We can’t begin to contemplate $250 million plus in additional debt without knowing […]
Joanne Fralick
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 Joanne Fralick is running for council because she believes that County residents should get full value for their tax dollars. “Residents deserve to understand not only how much we are spending, but what they are receiving for that money,” the Ward 2 candidate said. “I will ask Council to examine major expenditures, contracts, consultants, administrative costs and capital projects more closely, and establish clear measurements that show whether programs are achieving their intended results. Council’s goal should be to spend wisely and get better results.” Born and raised on a chicken farm in Tweed, the journalist and author […]
Paul Boyd
AMELIASBURGH WARD 4 When asked why he is running for Council, Paul Boyd replies, “Well, here we are four years older and deeper in debt.” The candidate for Ward 4 says his top job as councillor will be “to make sure things run right” and to create a culture of efficiency at Shire Hall. “Our biggest challenge over the next four years is our massive debt. Our challenge is to protect our small-town, rural character while managing intense, financial and growth pressure. We have a tiny permanent tax base, but face massive infrastructure demand driven by tourism and development. To prepare, […]
Sam Grosso
AMELIASBURGH WARD 4 After serving a four-year term on council, Sam Grosso is seeking re-election because of the important challenges facing the County in the near future. “There is unfinished work to do: keeping taxes under control, improving roads and infrastructure, working constructively with the province on responsible growth and housing, and ensuring Ward 4—and every community across Prince Edward County—receives its fair share of municipal investment and services,” he said. A resident of the County for 20 years (15 full time), Mr. Grosso insists that affordability guide every decision Council makes. “We need to spend responsibly, control tax increases and […]
Mark Hopper
BLOOMFIELD/HALLOWELL WARD 2 Wellington resident Mark Hopper wants to be elected to Council to bring the County’s finances under control with some vigorous belt tightening. “I am not running to make unrealistic promises,” he said. “I am running to listen carefully, communicate openly, spend taxpayers’ money responsibly and make decisions based on facts.” After spending 37 years in senior management, Mr. Hopper sees the following priorities for the next term: get more value from the County’s $100 million budget, reduce taxes, improve roads and sell surplus assets such as town halls and other buildings. “The Council needs to conduct a comprehensive […]