Parking & Business Support

Parking continues to be one of the top concerns raised by downtown businesses, residents, customers, and people attending events in Pelham. When people cannot find convenient parking, it can discourage them from shopping locally, dining downtown, attending events, or returning to the area.

I believe parking needs to be treated as an important part of supporting our downtown businesses and growing our local economy. That means looking at where parking is needed, how existing spaces are being used, enforcement, and new parking investments providing the best value for taxpayers.

Good parking is not simply about finding a place to leave your car—it is about making it easier for people to visit, shop, dine, attend events downtown and at the Meridian Community Centre, support local businesses, and enjoy everything Pelham has to offer.

Parking: My Goal Is to Provide Solutions, Not Tickets

Parking is an issue in Pelham. In 2024, 175 parking tickets were issued, increasing to 289 in 2025—a 65% increase.

Councillors recently approved an additional parcel of land off Station Street for downtown parking. This provides an opportunity to create an environmentally friendly, thoughtfully designed parking area that adds approximately 39 new public parking spaces.

This lot will support downtown businesses, Peace Park events, Steve Bauer Trail users and parents/guardians accessing St. Alexander’s Elementary School. while respecting the character and environmental priorities of our downtown

Partnering with Our Schools, Colleges, Universities and Community

I believe our educational institutions and community organizations are essential partners in building a strong, active, and connected Pelham. I will work with the Niagara Catholic District School Board, the District School Board of Niagara, Niagara College, Brock University, and local organizations to improve opportunities for residents of all ages.

This includes supporting collaboration on facilities, recreation, and programming for all forms of activity — including team and individual sports such as soccer, baseball, swimming, cycling, fitness, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and ice-related sports and activities. Our goal should be to provide opportunities that encourage healthy lifestyles, community connections, and participation for all ages and abilities.

Pelham Recreation at the Meridian Community Centre, in partnership with Brock University, offers several programs and activities for seniors, helping provide opportunities for recreation, social connection, and active living.

Pelham also supports the next generation through internships and co-op placements. Brock University students have opportunities in areas such as Recreation, Planning and Environmental services, while Niagara College students participate in co-op placements in By-law Enforcement and Engineering. Local high school students also gain valuable work experience through co-op placements with Public Works and Recreation.

Our goal should be to help keep our youth local—giving young people opportunities to gain experience, build careers, and see a future for themselves right here in Pelham and Niagara. By connecting students with local employment and municipal experience, we can help develop the next generation of workers and community leaders.

Pelham is also committed to creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, providing placements that help individuals gain meaningful work experience, develop skills, and participate more fully in our community. Together, these programs support seniors, students and persons with disabilities while building a stronger, more connected community.Pelham Recreation at the Meridian Community Centre, in partnership with Brock University, offers several programs and activities for seniors, helping provide opportunities for recreation, social connection, and active living.

Pelham also supports the next generation through internships and co-op placements. Brock University students have opportunities in areas such as Recreation, Planning and Environmental services, while Niagara College students participate in co-op placements in By-law Enforcement and Engineering. Local high school students also gain valuable work experience through co-op placements with Public Works and Recreation.

Our goal should be to help keep our youth local—giving young people opportunities to gain experience, build careers, and see a future for themselves right here in Pelham and Niagara. By connecting students with local employment and municipal experience, we can help develop the next generation of workers and community leaders.

Pelham is also committed to creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, providing placements that help individuals gain meaningful work experience, develop skills, and participate more fully in our community. Together, these programs support seniors, students and persons with disabilities while building a stronger, more connected community.

The Town and the Utility Sustainability Group (USG) where I serve as Councillor, already collaborates with educational partners on facility planning, design, and sustainable building projects. Our municipal staff and USG have experience working with these organizations, and I believe these partnerships should be expanded to create innovative, sustainable community facilities that benefit students, families, athletes, and all Pelham residents.

During the next term of Council, as Committees and Working Groups are established, I support reviewing and updating their scopes and past Council directions to ensure they reflect today’s community needs. This includes expanding opportunities for collaboration with schools, colleges, universities, sports organizations, community groups, and other local partners.

Strong communities are built through active participation. By encouraging meaningful resident involvement, public consultation, advisory committees, and open communication, we can ensure Council decisions reflect the priorities and values of the people who call Pelham home.

Supporting Our Library

The Lincoln Pelham Public Library is much more than a place to borrow books. It is a community hub that supports lifelong learning, literacy, and connection. Residents can borrow books, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, educational resources, and more, while also accessing computers, Wi-Fi, digital services, and programs for all ages. Through interlibrary loan services, residents also have access to materials from library collections across Ontario.

The purchase of a Bookmobile was an important part of Pelham’s library and council approved strategy. It will help ensure that Fonthill residents continue to have access to library services during Phase 1 of construction, keeping library services available in the community while the Fonthill Library undergoes renovations. The Bookmobile will provide a flexible way to bring books, programs and library services directly to residents throughout Pelham during the construction period and beyond.

The two-phase renovation and expansion of the Fonthill Branch, beginning in September 2026, will provide the space, technology, and services needed for our growing community. A modern, accessible library strengthens education, creates opportunities, and helps build a more connected Pelham.

Financial Responsibility and Your Taxes

Protecting taxpayers requires responsible budgeting, transparent financial reporting, strong audit oversight, and maintaining healthy financial reserves. I will continue to support responsible financial management that delivers value for taxpayers while keeping Pelham financially strong today and well into the future.

Over the past eight years, Pelham has worked hard to improve its financial position, strengthen reserves, secure significant outside funding, and invest responsibly in infrastructure while managing local tax increases.

What Has Had the Biggest Impact on Your Pelham Property Tax Bill?

When looking at increases in your total Pelham property tax bill, it is important to understand that your tax bill is made up of different components — Town of Pelham, Niagara Region, and education taxes.

While Pelham has worked to keep its municipal tax increases responsible, the Niagara Region portion of your property tax bill has had the most significant impact on the overall increase in recent years.

For the average residential property, the municipal portion increased by approximately $83 in 2024, $111 in 2025, and $100 in 2026. However, these figures represent the Town of Pelham portion only and should not be confused with the total increase residents see on their property tax bills.

Residents deserve to know exactly where their property tax dollars are going and which level of government is responsible for each increase. Responsible financial management means continuing to control Pelham's portion of the tax bill while holding the Region accountable for the significant impact of its tax increases on Pelham homeowners

The next Mayor and Pelham Town Councillors must put Pelham First—ensuring every decision is evaluated based on its impact on Pelham taxpayers, residents, infrastructure, services, and the long-term future of our community. Pelham needs strong, experienced leadership that will protect our local interests, demand accountability, make responsible financial decisions, and ensure Pelham has a strong, united voice both at Town Council and at the Regional table.

Inflation and the Cost of Maintaining Pelham

Inflation has a direct impact on the Town’s ability to maintain its infrastructure and deliver services. Roads are one of Pelham’s largest infrastructure investments, and asphalt is heavily influenced by the cost of oil and petroleum products. At the same time, the Town’s fleet of trucks and equipment relies heavily on diesel fuel.

These costs have experienced significant volatility. Ontario’s asphalt price index increased substantially during the 2021–2023 period, while crude and diluted bitumen prices increased 105.4% between May 2021 and May 2022. More recently, Statistics Canada reported that Ontario diesel prices were 66.3% higher in April 2026 than a year ago.

For Pelham, this means that inflation is not simply a number on a spreadsheet—it directly increases the cost of paving roads, repairing infrastructure, operating Public Works vehicles and maintaining the services residents depend on. This makes careful budgeting, long-term planning and finding efficiencies more important than ever.

Supporting Local Business & Agriculture

A strong local economy benefits everyone. I support policies that encourage investment, strengthen our agricultural sector, help local businesses thrive, and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth while preserving the unique character of our community.

Responsible Growth & Planning for the Future

Growth should strengthen our community, not change what makes Pelham special. I support responsible, well-planned development that protects our small-town character while ensuring roads, parks, trails, recreation facilities, libraries, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other essential community services keep pace with growth.

Planning today ensures a stronger tomorrow. I support protecting our natural heritage through practical environmental initiatives, expanding tree planting, improving climate resilience, preparing for electric vehicle infrastructure, and creating age-friendly neighbourhoods where residents of all ages can live, work, and thrive.

By planning for today and investing for tomorrow, we can welcome new residents, support sustainable growth, and preserve the high quality of life that makes Pelham a great place to call home.

Safe Streets & Neighbourhoods

Residents deserve safe roads, streets, and neighbourhoods. I will continue to support traffic-calming measures, improved cycling infrastructure, safer pedestrian crossings, and practical solutions to reduce speeding. We also need a greater Niagara Regional Police presence in Pelham, with increased visibility and enforcement in areas experiencing speeding, dangerous driving, and traffic concerns. Working together with residents, the Town, and Niagara Regional Police, we can make our roads and neighbourhoods safer for everyone.

Putting Pelham First

Every decision I make is guided by one principle:

Putting Pelham First by protecting our financial future, preserving our community's unique character, investing in the services that matter most, and ensuring local decisions remain in local hands.