Compare candidates

Governance and financial review (last done 2012); claims staff found over $300,000, turning a $250,000 deficit into a $150,000 surplus.

• Wants a governance and financial review; the last was in 2012, 'three mayors ago'.
• Claims managers found over $300,000 in four months.
• Claims a projected $250,000 deficit became a $150,000 surplus.

“One of the first things we need to do is governance and financial review. The last time one was done was in 2012, that's three mayors ago. We were originally coming in with about a $250,000 deficit, but after talking to staff and having the managers go back to their budgets, when we finished we were $150,000 to the good. So they found over $300,000 in four months.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:28:48) · September 17, 2026

Describes his platform as a return to basics: taxes, transparency and accountability.

• Says he is prepared to undertake both a governance review and a financial review.
• Spoken at the Chamber meet-and-greet, 9 September 2026.

“We need to start looking after our own. We need to start listening more, be more transparent, and stop the burden of taxes on all our constituents”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Mayoral candidates make their pitch at Chamber meet and greet (event 9 Sep 2026) · September 11, 2026

Responsible spending means setting priorities and showing residents the value.

• Reduce waste, find efficiencies, set clear priorities.
• Argues major expenses should not catch the Town off guard.

“Every tax dollar comes from someone’s hard work. That should matter every time a decision is made.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — My Priorities · September 13, 2026

Every tax dollar comes from someone's hard work; responsible spending means clear priorities, less waste, efficiencies, and visible value for money.

• Every tax dollar comes from someone's hard work.
• Responsible spending: clear priorities, reduced waste, efficiencies.
• Residents should see real value from the money they contribute.

“Every tax dollar comes from someone's hard work. That should matter every time a decision is made... Responsible spending means setting clear priorities, reducing waste, looking for efficiencies, and making sure residents can see real value from the money they contribute.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — priorities · October 1, 2026

Year-round departmental budget committees (parks and rec, finance, operations) with the mayor on all, going line by line.

• Replace committee-of-the-whole budgeting with departmental committees.
• Mayor would sit on all committees; they meet all year, not just year-end.
• Go through budgets line by line to find savings.

“The next stage is to go to a committee structure as opposed to a committee of the whole. The committee structure has each department having, and the mayor would sit on all of these committees, parks and rec, finance, operations. They'd be meeting all year, not at the end of the year. And they'd be going through line by line.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:35:33) · September 17, 2026

Run the town like a corporation: council as a board of directors, taxpayers as shareholders; opposes council pay raises.

• Focus on needs over wants to keep property taxes under control.
• Says council should act like a board of directors respecting taxpayers as shareholders.
• Voted against council pay raises (record on his /history page).

“Focus on needs and not wants to make sure that we keep our property taxes under control. Run the town like a true corporation where council acts like a board of directors, respecting the needs of the shareholders, which are the taxpayers and residents.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — Fiscal

Brendale Square is a 100-plus-year flood zone; protect annually flooded residential areas (River Cove, Glen Acres, Southdale) instead.

• Says Brendale Square has been a flood zone for over 100 years and will keep flooding.
• Names River Cove, Glen Acres and Southdale Drive as annually flooded residential areas.
• 'We should be saving infrastructure, not saving a couple of bars.'

“As you all know, that's a flood zone. It has been a flood zone for well over 100 years, and it's going to continue to flood. We have areas in Huntsville, like River Cove or Glen Acres, or even Southdale Drive, that floods annually and stops people from getting into their homes and out of their homes. That's where we should be investing our money. We should be saving infrastructure, not saving a couple of bars.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (1:20:49) · September 17, 2026

Brendale Square flooding: two inoperative Big East River dams (since 2006) are a provincial matter needing action; flooding will continue regardless of land-level work.

• Brendale Square has been a flood zone for over 100 years.
• Two Big East River dams inoperative since 2006 are a provincial matter needing action.
• Flooding will continue regardless of what is done to the land.

“These are provincial things that we need to start working with … they've been not in operation since 2006, and we had a huge event in 2009, we had another huge event 2013, another huge event. This is going to continue to happen, it doesn't matter what we do to the land.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville mayoral debate: strong-mayor powers, flooding, welcoming community (Huntsville Forester) · September 18, 2026

Respect the taxpayer and healthcare readiness; invest in maintaining existing infrastructure before looking at new items.

• Names respect of the taxpayer and healthcare readiness as priorities.
• Wants to maintain the infrastructure the town already has.
• Says to invest in existing items before looking at new ones.

“Some of the things that are very important to me is respect of the taxpayer healthc care readiness and you know maintaining the infrastructure we have. We want to invest in some of the items that we already have before we look at new stuff”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 9, 2026 mayoral meet-and-greet (YourTV Muskoka) — candidate's own remarks (2:24) · September 11, 2026

Treats roads, sidewalks, trails and facilities as daily life, not line items.

• Maintain what exists before adding new.
• Practical improvements residents can see and feel.

“Residents deserve roads, trails, parks, sidewalks, facilities, and services they can count on.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — My Priorities · September 13, 2026

Roads-first plan: 10 initial roads with published dates and costs; work with the province on two idle dams (Big East River, West Harry Lake).

• Establish 10 roads to begin with, with published start dates, completion dates and costs.
• Tackle flooding upstream: two non-operational dams (Big East River, West Harry Lake, idle since 2006).
• Says the dams are provincial and need provincial cooperation.

“One thing that I wanna come up with is the roads first approach. We're gonna establish 10 roads to begin with and with those 10 roads, we'll tell you when we're gonna start the work, when it's gonna be completed and how much it's gonna cost. There are two dams that are very critical for our area that are not in operation. One is the distress dam that's on the Big East River and the other one's at West Harry Lake. These are provincial things that we need to start working with the province. They've been not in operation since 2006. When the water's coming out of the Algonquin Park, there's nothing stopping it. There's nothing managing it. That's where we need to start.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:22:41, 1:23:07) · September 17, 2026

Back-to-basics governing — listen, communicate, be transparent; the biggest difference he offers is how the town is governed.

• Meaningful engagement and open communication.
• Says residents should understand where tax money goes before it is raised.
• Frames 12 years of council experience as the reason the main change he offers is how the town is governed.
• Pledges listening to residents, better communication, transparent finances, a responsive Town Hall.

“Ensure residents have a strong voice through meaningful engagement, open communication, and transparent decision-making. The biggest difference will be how we govern. I want Council to get back to the basics—listening to residents, communicating better, being transparent about our finances and making sure every tax dollar is being spent responsibly. I've spent my career serving this community. I want to bring that same approach to the Mayor's office—people first, common sense, accountability and getting back to basics.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Armour campaign website — Platform · September 13, 2026

Back-to-basics: people first, listening, an open and accountable town hall; responsible spending, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, environmental protection.

• Putting people first, listening to residents, a more open and accountable town hall.
• Responsible spending, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, environmental protection.
• Honest leadership, common sense, working together.

“My priorities are about getting Huntsville back to basics: putting people first, listening to residents, and making town hall more open and accountable. We need responsible spending, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, and protection of our environment. I believe in honest leadership, common sense, and working together to build Huntsville's future.”

(reported remarks)

Source: What mayoral candidates in Muskoka's three largest towns say they want to change (MuskokaRegion) · September 28, 2026

Lead through collaboration: meet successful councillors on their goals, align with the CAO, avoid strong-mayor powers.

• Would immediately meet the successful councillors to learn their one-year and four-year goals.
• Would sit down with the CAO to align council and staff.
• Prefers collaboration over strong-mayor powers.

“I look at it as it being collaboration. If successful as your next mayor, I would instantly call the other successful candidates and we would sit down. I want to know exactly what their goals are in the next year, in the next four years. I would take that even further and with our CAO, I'd sit down, talk to her as well.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:54:32) · September 17, 2026

Wants Huntsville to have a bigger voice with the district and work in harmony with the provincially appointed district chair.

• Wants Huntsville to have a bigger voice with the district.
• Notes the district chair is appointed from the province.
• Wants to work alongside that chair so town and district work in harmony.

“having a bigger voice with the district. Right now the the district is having their chair appointed from the province and I want to have a big voice work along with that chair so we Huntsville and uh the district work in harmony.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 9, 2026 mayoral meet-and-greet (YourTV Muskoka) — candidate's own remarks (2:35) · September 11, 2026

Huntsville should lead important conversations, not react after decisions are already made.

• Lead important conversations rather than reacting after decisions are made.

“I believe Huntsville should be leading important conversations, not reacting after decisions are already made.”

(one sentence)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — priorities · October 1, 2026

Says her campaign has been shaped by conversations with residents.

• Told the Chamber meet-and-greet she wants to bring younger and older generations together and learn from their different experiences.
• Doppler also reported she emphasised protecting Huntsville's natural environment and water and building a community attractive to families and retirees; that was the reporter's summary, not a direct quotation, so it is not shown as her words.

“Every person has a different story, and every person is showing me a different part of what Huntsville is made of”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Mayoral candidates make their pitch at Chamber meet and greet (event 9 Sep 2026) · September 11, 2026

Treats strong-mayor powers as a tool she would not plan to fall back on, preferring collaborative council work.

• Would not enter office planning to fall back on strong-mayor powers.
• Prefers working collaboratively with the rest of council.

“I think that Strong Mayor Powers is a tool that can be used when appropriate, but I would not enter the role having that in the back of my mind that if I want to do something and most people don't agree with me, I have these powers to fall back on. I think that there's no need to use Strong Mayor Powers if I'm able to work collaboratively with the rest of the council.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:56:02) · September 17, 2026

Pitches a new perspective against incumbent experience: "You haven't seen what I can do."

• Says Huntsville needs a new perspective and a new way to look at things.
• Contrasts incumbents' record with her untested potential.

“Huntsville needs a new perspective, a new way to look at things. You've seen what they can do because they've been doing it this entire time. You haven't seen what I can do.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel (Aug 18, 2026) · August 18, 2026

Politics should never be about money; public service means community trust and human connection.

• Says politics and elections should never be about who has the most to invest.
• Frames public service as community trust; nothing should trump human connection.

“Politics should never be about money. Elections should never be about who has the most to invest. Being a public servant means the community trusts you to represent them. Nothing should trump human connection.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel caption (Sept 21, 2026) · September 21, 2026

Speaks to young voters: representation is attainable; her generation is Huntsville's future.

• Says representation is attainable for once.
• Her generation represents the future of Huntsville, not the past.
• Notes young people are often disinterested in elections and voting.

“Representation is attainable for once, and it's time for the generation leading Huntsville to the future to care about this! I think many times young people, young professionals, young families, young couples are disinterested in involving themselves in elections and voting. Remember our generation represents the future of Huntsville not the past.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel — "Day 62 of running for mayor" (July 6, 2026) · July 6, 2026

Back-to-basics platform: listen more, be more transparent, starting with a governance review.

• Calls her platform going back to the basics.
• Says the town must listen more and be more transparent.
• Proposes a governance review.

“My platform is fairly simple. It's going back to the basics. We need to start looking after our own. We need to start listening more, be more transparent”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 9, 2026 mayoral meet-and-greet (YourTV Muskoka) — candidate's own remarks (1:04) · September 11, 2026

Strong-mayor powers are a tool for appropriate use, but she would not enter the role planning to fall back on them against the majority.

• Powers are a tool for appropriate use.
• Would not enter the role planning to fall back on them when most people disagree.

“I think that going into the role as somebody that's been chosen by the people of Huntsville to represent and to serve them, I would not enter the role having that in the back of my mind that if I want to do something and most people don't agree with me, I have these powers to fall back on.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville mayoral debate: strong-mayor powers, flooding, welcoming community (Huntsville Forester) · September 18, 2026

Running to represent the voices of Huntsville residents and serve their best interests; values community and bringing people together.

• Values community, bringing people together, combining strengths for a common goal.
• Her role is to represent the voices of Huntsville and serve their best interests.

“My name is Rebecca, and I am running for mayor of Huntsville. I value community, bringing people together and combining our strengths to work for a common goal. My role is to represent the voices of Huntsville, and I will serve my community and represent their best interests.”

(reported remarks)

Source: What mayoral candidates in Muskoka's three largest towns say they want to change (MuskokaRegion) · September 28, 2026

Would publish video and audio from every meeting and answer his own phone.

• Names podcasts of meetings and a video from the mayor after every meeting.
• Frames accountability as being personally reachable by phone.

“The biggest thing is transparency: podcasts at the meeting to go out to the public, videos from the mayor after every meeting, so you know what we discussed and why, and an accountability where you can call me anytime and I'll answer the phone”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Mayoral candidates make their pitch at Chamber meet and greet (event 9 Sep 2026) · September 11, 2026

Hopes never to hear "strong mayor powers" again; lead as a consensus builder so they never need using.

• Plans on avoiding strong-mayor powers at all costs.
• The key is being a strong leader and consensus builder.
• The mayor should lead so the powers never need using.

“I personally hope that this is the last time I hear the word strong mayor powers because I plan on avoiding using it at all costs. I think the key is to be a strong leader, be a consensus builder. I think the mayor needs to lead so you never ever have to use strong mayor powers.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:53:37) · September 17, 2026

Reformed the planning process to cut red tape while protecting what matters; proposes a meeting podcast, post-meeting mayor videos, and direct accountability: call anytime and he will answer.

• Says he reformed the planning process to reduce red tape while protecting what matters.
• Proposes a podcast of each meeting released to the public.
• Proposes videos from the mayor after every meeting explaining what was discussed and why.
• Offers direct accountability: residents can call him anytime and he will answer.

“I uh tried to reform the planning process to make um the red tape go away a little bit while still protecting the stuff that matters Biggest thing is transparency. podcast of the meeting to go out to the public, videos from the mayor after every meeting so you know what we discussed and why and an accountability where you can call me anytime and I'll answer the phone. That's my plan.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Sept 9, 2026 mayoral meet-and-greet (YourTV Muskoka) — candidate's own remarks (1:25, 2:10) · September 11, 2026

Would avoid using strong-mayor powers; a strong mayor builds consensus among the nine elected, not one.

• Would avoid using strong-mayor powers at all costs.
• A strong leader builds consensus — nine people were elected, not one.

“I think the key is to be a strong leader, be a consensus builder … I would hate, as a mayor, to look at people around the table that you guys elected to get to that table and not think of the fact that it was nine people, not one.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville mayoral debate: strong-mayor powers, flooding, welcoming community (Huntsville Forester) · September 18, 2026

Introduced AI opportunities to district and town — implement AI for better, more efficient public services, automate routine workflows, save taxpayer money; "I work for the people who pay my salary — you, the taxpayers."

• Implement AI to deliver better, more efficient public services and automate routine workflows.
• Save taxpayer money through AI-driven efficiencies.
• I work for the people who pay my salary — you, the taxpayers.

“Introduced the opportunities AI provides to district and town — starting to implement AI to deliver better, more efficient public services, automate routine workflows, and save taxpayer money. I work for the people who pay my salary — you, the taxpayers. I will always do the right thing for the taxpayer, no matter who is on the other end of the line.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — history · October 1, 2026

Council should decide for future generations, not chase quick wins within a four-year term.

• Decisions that consider future generations at all times.
• Stop trying to get quick wins during a 4-year term.

“We need a council that is willing to make decisions that consider future generations at all times... trying to get quick wins during your 4 year term has to stop.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Climate Action Muskoka candidate survey — Scott Morrison (candidate's own answers) · January 1, 2022

Frames decisions in terms of what the next generation inherits.

• Responsible growth and long-term planning.
• Protecting Huntsville’s character while making room for growth.

“Planning for future generations means protecting what makes Huntsville feel like home while making room for responsible growth.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — My Priorities · September 13, 2026

Pressing for clarity on the Florence Street development — unit counts, height, fees, studies — and correcting his own timeline error.

• Asks what is proposed vs. approved vs. changed on the Muskoka Community Land Trust Florence Street development.
• Presses for unit counts, height, fees and studies.
• Publicly corrected a timeline error in his own video.

“I believe residents should be able to understand what is being proposed, what has been approved and what has changed along the way. I believe accountability starts with being willing to correct the record when something is wrong.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — Florence Street · September 15, 2026

Make Huntsville's outdoor-recreation heritage a deliberate selling point to attract young families.

• Wants the town's outdoor recreational heritage celebrated and prioritized.
• Frames outdoor recreation as Huntsville's winning point over other Ontario towns.
• Aims to attract young families choosing where to raise children.

“It's time to focus and celebrate the rich outdoor recreational heritage Huntsville has and make it a priority in attracting young families. Outdoor recreation should be an additional winning point Huntsville has above many other towns in Ontario. I plan to focus on that. Because we want to attract young families to come and choose Huntsville to be the place where they're going to raise their children.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel — "Day 58 of running for mayor" (June 30, 2026) · June 30, 2026

Protect community character while keeping Huntsville affordable for families, businesses and young people.

• Frames his platform as protecting community character and affordability together.
• Names families, businesses, young people and value for taxpayers.

“I want to protect the character of our community while ensuring it remains a place where families can afford to live, businesses can succeed, young people can build a future and residents receive real value from their local government.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — Meet Scott

Opposes provincial intrusion into local planning via Bill 98; the height/density bylaw was ordered to protect Huntsville's character, with checks on where big buildings go.

• Calls Bill 98 one of the most significant planning alterations in provincial history.
• Opposes the province sticking its nose into local planning checks and balances.
• The bylaw protects Huntsville's character: big buildings where justified, not where they aren't.

“Bill 98 that's come out is considered one of the most significant planning alterations in provincial history, and right now, unfortunately, parts of our bylaw would contravene that legislation. I don't like that the province is sticking its nose into our planning process where we're trying to put checks and balances in to protect the character of our town.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville council approves bylaw update allowing taller, denser housing (BayToday/Huntsville Forester) · June 10, 2026

Support purpose-built rental housing by exploring reducing or eliminating development charges on qualifying rental projects.

• Explore reducing or eliminating development charges on qualifying rental projects.
• Support the development of purpose-built rental housing.

“Support the development of purpose-built rental housing by exploring opportunities to reduce or eliminate development charges on qualifying rental projects.”

(one sentence)

Source: Elect Dan Armour — Mayor of Huntsville · October 3, 2026

Proponent of tiny homes and affordable alternatives — if someone needs 500 sq ft, don't force much larger homes.

• Champions tiny homes as an affordable-housing win.
• If someone only needs 500 square feet, don't force much larger homes.

“I am also a strong proponent of tiny homes and other affordable alternatives... If someone only needs 500 square feet why are we forcing them to live in much larger homes?”

(a few sentences)

Source: Climate Action Muskoka candidate survey — Scott Morrison (candidate's own answers) · January 1, 2022

Backs the new hospital and working with community partners on healthcare.

• Supports efforts to strengthen healthcare services.
• Notes plans moving forward for a new hospital.

“Support efforts to strengthen healthcare services and continue to work with community partners as plans move forward for a new hospital.”

(one sentence)

Source: Dan Armour campaign website — Platform · September 13, 2026

Support a dedicated Huntsville Community Hospital Fund for the $10 million local share — be ready before the province moves.

• A dedicated Huntsville Community Hospital Fund for the $10 million local share.
• Be ready with the local share when the province moves forward — don't scramble after.

“My focus is to support a dedicated Huntsville Community Hospital Fund, focused on preparing for the required $10 million local share. When the province is ready to move forward with the new hospital, Huntsville needs to be ready with its local share. We cannot wait until that moment arrives and then scramble to find the money.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Dan Caswell for Mayor of Huntsville | 2026 Municipal Election · October 3, 2026

Proposes "office-ready" doctor recruitment: spend the incentive on office space and infrastructure, remove setup burdens.

• Instead of a cash incentive, fund office space and infrastructure.
• Remove the setup burdens so doctors start treating patients immediately.

“Office ready means that rather than pay the $80,000 to come into Huntsville, we're gonna take that money and we're gonna find the office space. We're gonna take away all the burdens for them and then they can come in and start working and treating patients all at once.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:22:17) · September 17, 2026

Backs the new hospital; wants Huntsville's needs represented, including exploring local cancer treatment services.

• Calls the new hospital one of the most important investments in Huntsville's future.
• Wants to explore bringing some cancer treatment services to Huntsville so residents get more care closer to home.

“The new hospital will be one of the most important investments in Huntsville's future. I will provide strong municipal leadership to make sure Huntsville's needs are clearly represented, including exploring opportunities to bring some cancer treatment services to Huntsville so residents can access more care closer to home.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — Healthcare

Calls the lakes, waterfront and nature Huntsville's greatest economic asset; protect them, expand outdoor education and recreation access, prepare for climate resilience.

• Calls the lakes, waterfront and nature Huntsville's greatest economic asset.
• Wants outdoor education and recreation accessible to all ages.
• Says the town must prepare for climate resilience.

“I think that the greatest economic asset that Huntsville has is the lakes, the waterfront, and the nature. I think that's something that's very important and something that we need to protect and take care of. And I believe that making outdoor education and outdoor recreation more accessible to all ages is something that we should look towards and we should work towards. I think we also need to prepare our environment and our town for climate resilience to be ready for what comes our way.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (0:05:58) · September 17, 2026

Wants Huntsville leading at the District table rather than reacting.

• Better communication, less duplication, stronger representation.
• Argues overlapping services and slow decisions cost residents money.

“Huntsville should not be reacting from the sidelines. We should be leading the conversation.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — My Priorities · September 13, 2026

Focus on helping local businesses scale, and on stopping young adults leaving.

• Names seasonality and a limited hiring pool as the constraints on local businesses.
• Frames growing jobs and a sustainable year-round framework as the way to combat what she calls the young adult exodus.

“Areas that require focus include providing support to entrepreneurs and local businesses in scaling while meeting challenges, including seasonality, hiring pool limitations, and housing affordability and availability options.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Rebecca Mello is also running to become Huntsville's next mayor · May 5, 2026

The mayor's job is clearing barriers for entrepreneurs via public-private partnerships; the town can't do everything.

• Says the town can't do everything for local business.
• The mayor should facilitate public-private partnerships.

“I recognize that the town can't do everything. It's my job to facilitate those public private partnerships so that businesses can work together.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel (Aug 28, 2026) · August 28, 2026

Small hiring pool and unaffordable housing are the core barriers for Muskoka small businesses.

• Shadowed a young entrepreneur's home-services business.
• Names the small hiring pool as a core barrier.
• Names unaffordable housing as a core barrier.

“I would be happy to spend a day with your business and hear your experience! Hiring pool is so small There's noone to do the work there's nowhere to house them because housing is not”

(a few sentences)

Source: Rebecca Mello's Facebook reel — "Day 52 of running for mayor" (June 24, 2026) · June 24, 2026

Improve downtown's vacant Empire Lot without burdening the tax levy; Brendale Square via private partnership, grants, fundraising.

• Goal: make a highly visible part of downtown better without burdening the property tax levy.
• Brendale Square through private partnership, grants and fundraising.

“The goal is simple: make a highly visible part of downtown better without placing the burden on the property tax levy.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — Downtown

Brendale financing: public-private partnership, Town owns only the parking lot and public space, brownfield grants, business-paid "Brendale revitalization fee".

• Public-private partnership; the town should not own or rent buildings.
• Town owns only the parking lot and public-space elements (outdoor rink, farmers' market, splash pad).
• Construction leans on brownfield remediation grants.
• Operating costs via a business-paid 'Brendale revitalization fee', not tax dollars.

“The most important part is that it's a public-private partnership. I don't want the town to own buildings or rent buildings. The town needs to own the parking lot, and that's it. That's where the outdoor rink would go, the farmer's market would go, the splash pad. There are brownfield remediation grants. I've already approached the owners in that plaza — would you be amenable to something like the Blue Mountain Village fee. So my plan is, I'd call it the Brendale revitalization fee to make sure your tax dollars aren't paying for it.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Sept 17, 2026 mayoral debate, Algonquin Theatre — candidate's own remarks (1:19:21) · September 17, 2026

Has made redeveloping Brendale Square the centrepiece of his campaign.

• Launched his campaign on a pledge to redevelop the plaza and end its flooding.
• Shared a conceptual sketch including green space, a public skating rink, a farmers' market and a splash pad, saying any final design would need community input.
• Says he believes much of the cost could be covered by outside grants and brownfield redevelopment programs.
• The site has a history of commercial vacancies, aging infrastructure and contamination from a former landfill and a former gas station.

“It's been way too long that Brendale Square has looked the way it has. It's been a blight on our town. It is one of the most important pieces of our town, and it needs to be better.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Morrison pledges to end flooding at Brendale Square during mayoral campaign launch · May 21, 2026

Mayoral launch at Canvas Brewery focused heavily on parkland development for families, youth, and seniors.

• Parkland development for families, youth, and seniors a launch focus.

“Focused heavily on parkland development for families, youth, and seniors.”

(one sentence)

Source: Scott Morrison campaign website — history · October 1, 2026

Fire protection, emergency services, roads, winter maintenance, public safety, infrastructure and community services are the foundation of daily life — not extras.

• Core services are the foundation of daily life, not extras.
• Fire protection, emergency services, roads, winter maintenance, public safety, infrastructure, community services.

“Fire protection, emergency services, roads, winter maintenance, public safety, infrastructure, and community services are not extras. They are the foundation of daily life in Huntsville.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Dan Caswell campaign website — priorities · October 1, 2026