Wanting to get to know Pelee’s municipal election candidates better? CTV asked them questions to give you some more insight into their platforms. Mayor Dave DeLellis CTV News is awaiting a response. Jaak Purres Why are you running for Mayor of Pelee? I’m running to help build a stronger year-round future for Pelee while protecting the quiet, neighbourly way of life we all value.More families choosing to stay, more opportunities for young people and seniors, and more people working and investing here strengthen the whole Island. They help sustain our businesses, support our community organizations and build the tax base needed to maintain infrastructure and services. I bring more than 20 years of experience working with governments, public organizations and businesses, solving problems, managing budgets, and turning practical ideas into action. I want people to have a direct part in that work. Alongside published in-person and virtual mayoral office hours, I will work with council to structure meetings so the public can provide direct input and ask questions before major decisions are made. Good leadership begins by listening, then following through. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the ward and how would you address it? Our biggest challenge is strengthening year-round life and access on Pelee. That connects directly to our ability to maintain infrastructure, deliver services, and support the community organizations that make Island life possible. Many of the challenges we discuss, whether roads, services, transportation, or community organizations, become easier to address when more people are living, working and investing in Pelee year-round. A stronger community creates the tax base, volunteer base and economic activity needed to support the Island we all love. And we can do this by keeping Pelee unhurried, uncrowded, and unforgettably Pelee. I would work with council and the community to address barriers to staying here, support more year-round jobs and pursue practical savings and partnerships. I would also work to structure public meetings so people can ask questions, contribute ideas and understand the choices before decisions are made. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? 1. Keep people here. Support families, young people and seniors who want a future on Pelee. I will work to establish a Youth Advisory Committee and an Attraction and Retention Committee to identify barriers to staying, support housing discussions, and turn community ideas into practical recommendations. It’s time to bring back the Welcome Wagon. 2. Create more opportunity here. Bring agriculture, business, tourism, environmental, and arts voices together to support more ways to earn a living throughout the year. I’ve committed to forming an Economic Development Committee so these voices are at the table. More year-round activity helps businesses succeed and strengthens the tax base and volunteer base that support Island services and community life. 3. Make every dollar count. Focus on what should be making revenue, and examine practical savings. Every dollar saved creates capacity to invest in our future. Across all three priorities, I will work to give people direct input through public questions at meetings, earlier discussion of major proposals and dependable access to the mayor. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I respect anyone willing to put their name forward to serve Pelee. Voters deserve a clear picture of what each of us would bring. I bring more than 20 years of experience helping governments, public organizations and businesses solve problems, manage budgets, and put plans into practice. My approach is simple: We support people. When more people can stay, earn a living, volunteer, and invest in Pelee year-round, we strengthen the tax base, community involvement, and economic activity needed to maintain our roads, improve services and support dependable transportation. That is why keeping people here and creating more opportunities are central to my platform. A stronger year-round community gives us the means to sustain the infrastructure and services the Island depends on. I have also set out specific ways people will participate. Alongside published mayoral office hours, I will work with council to structure meetings so the public can provide direct input and ask questions. People deserve an opportunity to help shape decisions while their input can still influence the outcome. I have set out specific ways people will participate, including published in-person and virtual mayoral office hours and working with council to structure meetings so the public can provide direct input and ask questions before decisions are made. I am also committed to showing up in person. That means being present in community life, attending events such as the Pelee Parade, meeting with organizations that provide essential services, and taking Pelee’s priorities directly to provincial and federal representatives. I have already put that commitment into practice as the only Pelee mayoral candidate to attend the multiple candidate open house meetings at Hotel-Die Grace Healthcare. The work of a mayor extends beyond council meetings. People deserve someone who listens, participates and carries their concerns forward. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? The strength of Pelee Island has never come from the government. It has always come from its people. As mayor, I will make sure those people are heard, because “your voice matters” is not just a statement. It is a commitment I intend to honor every day I serve. Your voice matters. I welcome a conversation: purresforpelee@gmail.com. Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/45c2ykr8 Survey: https://tinyurl.com/y7n7wte4 Councillor Brandon Alliet CTV News is awaiting a response. Stephanie Briggs-Crawford CTV News is awaiting a response. Dayne Malloch CTV News is awaiting a response. Dave Moulton CTV News is awaiting a response. Matthew Pearson Why are you running for councillor of Pelee? As a fifth generation + Islander I have seen many changed over the years and heard of many from people. I believe there are some grass routes we need to re-establish, while allowing for expansion in tourism, growing the base population, and looking to new generations for development. The voices of farmers, youth, and business owners alike are not heard, and I believe I can be that ear and that voice. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the ward and how would you address it? Pelee Island has aging infrastructure issues, major issues in drainage, roads, hydro, and facilities. We need leadership that understands those issues to step forward, with knowledge that doesn’t require expensive engineering reports at every turn. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? 1. Housing – We have an aging population and in order for the next generation to move here, we need to open up housing. This can be achieved by revising the new build application process, opening up township lands for development, and creating a fair trailer bylaw. 2. Tourism - We need to regain the tourism of years past. Our hunting, camping, vineyards, and outdoor ecotourism is a great start. That can be achieved by focusing our tourism committees to sportsman’s shows, boats shows, and wine expos. We also have two waterfronts with a marina, and a campground. Both those businesses need a new approach to review financial independence. 3. Infrastructure – We need to review the complete list of infrastructure projects, starting with drainage and base surfaces. Using funds from land sales from the housing initiatives and new profit from tourism-based projects we can achieve these projects with near financial independence – or at least with the plan for repayment. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? Each candidate has their own special strengths. I feel I can do my best as a year-round resident, best able to react to a problem as they happen, instead of via Zoom and e-mails. I also have significant background in community and youth groups, multinational businesses, and more. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? I will be here and focused to the betterment of Pelee Island and its residents, year-round and seasonal. Dean Robillard Robillard chose to direct voters to his Facebook page for more information. Christopher Watson CTV News is awaiting a response. Jeff Wiper Why are you running for councillor of Pelee? Pelee Island has been part of my life and my family’s story for over 40 years. As a property owner, business owner, Legion Board Member, and community volunteer, I’ve experienced the Island from many different perspectives. I’m running because I genuinely love this community and believe strongly in its future. I want to help protect what makes Pelee special while creating opportunities for the next generation to live, work, and build a life here. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the ward and how would you address it? I believe one of our greatest challenges is creating a sustainable future for our year-round community. We need to ask why people are leaving, what barriers are preventing responsible investment and business growth, and how we can make it more achievable for people to earn a living on Pelee. I would focus on listening to residents and businesses, reviewing outdated bylaws that may be creating unnecessary restrictions, and encouraging responsible economic opportunities that support population growth without compromising the Island’s character. If elected, what are your top three priorities during your first term? Transparency and accountability: Improve public access to council meetings through online participation and recordings, allowing taxpayers to better understand the discussions behind municipal decisions. Responsible growth and bylaw modernization: Work with municipal staff and the community to identify and address unnecessary regulatory barriers to business development, housing, and investment. New municipal revenue opportunities: Explore visitor-generated revenue, to help offset the increasing costs of tourism-related infrastructure, waste management and Public Works, reducing pressure on property taxpayers. How do you differ from your fellow candidates? I have respect for anyone willing to put their name forward to serve our community. What I bring is a combination of hands-on business experience, community involvement, and a practical understanding of the challenges associated with operating and investing on Pelee Island. I don’t pretend to have every answer. I believe in asking questions, listening to different perspectives and making informed decisions. I’m also willing to challenge the way things have traditionally been done when I believe there may be a better approach. For me, it’s about finding solutions that put Pelee Island first. What’s one promise you’re making today that voters can hold you accountable for in four years? I promise to listen, remain accessible, and approach every decision with the best interests of Pelee Island and its community at heart. I won’t promise that every idea will become reality or that I’ll always have the answer. But I will promise to ask the questions, do the homework, encourage open discussion, and put in the work. I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words, and I intend to continue demonstrating that through my involvement in this community. These responses have been edited grammatically only.
