Michael McLeod

Ameliasburgh Ward Four

Michael McLeod has always been fascinated by politics. How political processes affect people and their daily lives is one of the reasons he has decided to run for councillor in the upcoming election. McLeod believes that the County is at a crossroad and that it must now make the necessary changes to take a different path forward. He wants the County to be the municipality that others look to as a “model” of rural success.

McLeod is a resident of Prince Edward County and lives in Ward Four. He graduated from York University with an honours bachelor’s degree in Geography and Urban Studies and received his regulatory studies certificate from the US National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Regulatory Studies Program at Michigan State University. He is considered an innovative business and regulatory strategist whose job is to help companies and organizations address regulatory and related trends that may have an impact on their business. He has almost 40 years of provincial public service and private sector experience and his community service is almost as impressive. McLeod is currently the president and chair of the Board of Directors of Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society and is a past director of the County Community Foundation, past member of the PEC Community and Economic Development Commission and a former manager of the PEC Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.

McLeod considers himself a solution driven leader who is not afraid to think outside the box. He intends to provide visionary leadership to the horseshoe and will place a great deal of weight on the importance and value of corporate culture and organizational management if elected. He is convinced that the path the County is currently on must change and a new direction set over the next four years to deal with the real challenges, and McLeod wants to help guide that shift.

“I am very troubled that it takes too long to get things done. There appears to be too many unnecessary administrative hurdles to jump, and far too many expensive last-minute fixes to correct problems that should have been dealt with sooner. The proposed new housing corporation is a step in the right direction, but there is an enormous amount of work that must be done to ensure it is a successful business corporation,” says McLeod.

McLeod goes on to say that it is apparent from the financial information filed by the County with the Ontario Government that there are very serious financial challenges ahead that must be corrected, and corrected quickly. These are led by an aging and declining municipal population as indicated by the census; the lack of real housing options and the fear of planned development; the closing of schools; and, infrastructure costs.

For concerns facing Ward Four residents, McLeod says that road quality is a big one with year-round maintenance, speed and safety concerns being highlighted. Planning and development is another huge area of concern, with water and sewer infrastructure and available housing of all types falling under that umbrella. Business attraction, retention and job creation are also of concern.

One issue unique to Ward Four for McLeod is that some residents feel isolated because they are on the north end of the County, and somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of Picton. They don’t feel like they are a part of the County, even though they pay the highest property tax.

As far as opportunities, McLeod sees it critical that the County does a far better job of engaging and working with its community partners as well as provincial and federal governments. He also sees it as an opportunity for the next council to speak with one voice and demonstrate true municipal leadership through strong governance and oversight of the business of the County. McLeod says that in doing so, it will set the County on a path to new prosperity, while not losing sight of the great things that made Prince Edward County the place that it is now.

“I am completely dedicated to this County. I want the County to be one that is “on the map” as a viable, healthy and prosperous place to live—one that attracts and retains businesses, and with that, creates jobs for people currently living here and for those wishing for relocate here, while at the same time ensuring that our aging population is taken of. I want it to operate on a sound financial basis now and into the future. I want the County to be the municipality that others look to as a model of rural success,” says McLeod.