| Bio | Fifth-generation Dufferin County farmer, raised on a cow-calf farm, with a background in animal sciences; moved to Mono in 2019. Has attended council meetings and volunteered on committees for 15 years, including the Economic Development Task Force (2015/16) and as Chair of the Mulmur Parks Advisory Committee since 2011. Campaign tagline: 'Grassroots 'n Workboots.' | John Creelman is the incumbent Mayor of the Town of Mono, seeking re-election. He previously served as Deputy Mayor, winning that office with 70.4% of the vote, and his campaign centres on fiscal responsibility, roads, planning reform, and opposition to strong-mayor powers. | Five years of experience serving Mono on Council. Background as a physician and professional misconduct adjudicator. Campaign slogan: 'Practical Leadership. Sound Decisions. Mono First.' |
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| HousingWill I be able to afford to live here? | | | |
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| Taxes & spendingWhat happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go? | | Creelman calls for careful budgeting and new revenue sources as provincial grants shrink and fixed costs rise. - Notes almost 50% of taxes go to Dufferin County programs, ~25% of expenditures to OPP/fire services, and over 50% of the budget to roads.
- Provincial grants declined by $664,432 over four years while insurance costs rose double digits; calls for careful budgeting, in-year savings and new revenue sources beyond property taxes.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“We must always balance spending with what we can afford.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | Davie pledges careful stewardship of tax dollars with full lifecycle costing of projects. - Priority: 'Safeguard our finances' — treat taxpayers' money with care.
- Decisions should recognize the full cost of projects, including ongoing maintenance and lifecycle costs.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“Treat taxpayers’ money with care and make decisions that recognize the full cost of projects, including ongoing maintenance and lifecycle costs.” Source: Home | Melinda Davie - Mayor of Mono · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High |
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| Emergency servicesWhen I call for help, will it come fast enough? | | This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source. Creelman wants effective policing, higher fines for driving infractions and targeted road-safety work as OPP costs climb. - Says OPP costs are projected to rise as much as 11% next year, on top of 11% last year and a 22% increase in 2025.
- Calls for effective policing, increased fines for driving infractions, and targeted road safety initiatives in areas of concern.
“For years now, I have called for effective policing and an increase in fines for driving infractions.” (a page or more) Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High Creelman demands a provincial wildfire plan for Mono's parks and county forest lands. - Wants the Province to develop a comprehensive fire plan for Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve and Dufferin County Forest.
- Says relying on local fire departments and mutual aid in the event of a wildfire 'isn't good enough'.
“What we do not have from the Province is a comprehensive fire plan for its large tracts of land.” (a page or more) Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High Think we’ve got this wrong? | |
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| TransitCan I get where I need to go without driving? | | | |
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| GovernmentWill decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them? | This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source. Pendleton says many residents don't feel connected to the township and offers fresh perspective and energy. - Forum intro: "I'm not the most experienced candidate for mayor, but I think I provide a fresh perspective and fresh energy that we're really lacking."
- Calls for a more compassionate approach with better support for families and children: "I think we need to have a more compassionate approach, have better support for families, our children. They're the next generation that's coming up through."
- Closing: "I bring a new energy, a new respect, and I really want to represent Mono, all of Mono."
“I think a lot of people don't feel connected to the corporation of the township of Mono.” (reported remarks) Source: Engaged Citizens of the Town of Mono Meet & Greet 2026 (Mono forum video) · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High Pendleton wants council and committee structures reviewed to cut redundancies. - Calls for a review of council and committee structures to eliminate redundancies.
- Notes Mono has eight committees, plus task forces and county-level committees, overwhelming staff.
“We need to review council and committee structures” (reported remarks) Source: Emerson Pendleton - Candidate for Mayor of Mono (Dufferin Board of Trade video) Confidence:High Pendleton says the township needs to get things done, citing a backlog of unfinished council business. - Says the township needs to get things done rather than defer decisions.
- Cites a backlog of 'unfinished business of every council' and says 'more leadership' is overdue in the township.
“We need to get things done” (reported remarks) Source: Emerson Pendleton - Candidate for Mayor of Mono (Dufferin Board of Trade video) Confidence:High Pendleton says residents feel disenfranchised and unheard, and pledges transparency where everyone matters. - Answering a forum question on French Drive traffic, he reframed it as responsiveness: "Why does it take till an election year to get some traction on this?"
- In closing: "if a public person comes or a group comes to council. They should have the respect of council."
- In closing: "The status quo isn't working. We have had issues that have been going on for years that have had no movement."
“People are feeling disenfranchised. Their voices aren't heard. We need transparency. We need people to feel like everybody matters no matter where you live, who you voted for or who you are.” (reported remarks) Source: Engaged Citizens of the Town of Mono Meet & Greet 2026 (Mono forum video) · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High Pendleton commits to cutting redundancies and wait times and being accessible to businesses. - As Mayor, commits to reducing redundancies and wait times and being accessible to businesses.
“As Mayor I commit to reducing redundancies, wait times and be accessible to businesses.” (several paragraphs) Source: Emerson Pendleton - Dufferin Board of Trade (his candidate profile page) Confidence:High Pendleton says most people have tuned out of municipal politics and wants to restore faith through engagement. - Says restoring faith in municipal government starts with bringing people back into civic life.
- Wants more community engagement with a compassionate aspect, and a council that is more accepting of residents.
“A majority of people have tuned out of municipal politics. Let's restore faith” (reported remarks) Source: Emerson Pendleton - Candidate for Mayor of Mono (Dufferin Board of Trade video) Confidence:High Think we’ve got this wrong? | Creelman rejects Strong Mayor Powers for Mono as anti-democratic and wants every candidate on record. - Opposes provincial Strong Mayor Powers for Mono, calling them anti-democratic and corrosive to collaborative council decision-making.
- Says every candidate in the election should be asked where they stand on Strong Mayor Powers.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“We don’t need them, and I don’t want them.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | Davie promises independent, practical leadership that serves all of Mono. - Pledges to represent all of Mono: listen to different perspectives and decide based on what is best for the whole community.
- Slogan: 'Practical Leadership. Sound Decisions. Mono First.'
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“As Mayor, I will work for the whole community” Source: Home | Melinda Davie - Mayor of Mono · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High |
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| Roads & infrastructureWill the things I use every day actually get fixed? | | Creelman calls for better-maintained Mono roads and county investment in Hockley, Mono Centre and Airport Roads. - Wants Mono roads maintained in good repair and Dufferin County to invest in repairs to Hockley, Mono Centre and Airport Roads.
- Says repair needs in many locations are badly overdue.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“In many locations, this is badly needed.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | Davie commits to maintaining essential municipal services in a sustainable, affordable way. - Priority: 'Protect our services' — maintain the essential municipal services residents rely on.
- Services must remain sustainable and affordable over the long term.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“Maintain the essential municipal services residents rely on, while ensuring they remain sustainable and affordable over the long term.” Source: Home | Melinda Davie - Mayor of Mono · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High |
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| EconomyWill our main streets and local jobs thrive? | Pendleton pledges to advocate for better support of agriculture and businesses, including youth skills programs. - Will advocate for better support of agriculture and of supporting businesses.
- Would focus on building Mono's future business through youth skill development programs such as pre-apprenticeship and co-op placements.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“I will advocate for better support of agriculture and supporting businesses.” Source: Emerson Pendleton - Dufferin Board of Trade (his candidate profile page) Confidence:High | | |
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| EnvironmentIs the candidate protecting the nature we live in? | | Creelman proposes a revived community litter-pickup day and stronger action on invasive species. - Wants to restore a 'Make Mono Shine' litter pickup day, including garbage tags for residents who regularly clean side roads and parks, plus extended brush drop-off at the landfill after ice-storm damage.
- Calls for more public education and partnerships with Parks Ontario, conservation authorities and landowners on invasive species (Phragmites, Buckthorn, Dog-strangling vine).
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“Sadly, litter and garbage along our roads and in our parks are increasing.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | |
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| HealthcareWill there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one? | | | |
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| Growth & developmentHow fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where? | Pendleton opposes aggressive residential development, favouring protected habitat and sustainable agriculture. - Opposes building 'mansions and developments everywhere' in the township.
- His remarks favour protecting natural habitats over aggressive residential development and encourage sustainable agriculture.
Show their words & sourceHide (reported remarks)“not just build mansions and developments everywhere” Source: Emerson Pendleton - Candidate for Mayor of Mono (Dufferin Board of Trade video) Confidence:High | Creelman wants an overdue Official Plan and zoning review, fast action on monster homes and light pollution, and a streamlined approvals process. - Says a review of Mono's Official Plan and Zoning By-law is overdue; some changes, including oversized 'Monster Homes' and light pollution, should not wait for a full review.
- Favours streamlining the planning application process to reduce wait times and eliminate red tape.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“A review of Mono’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law is overdue.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | Davie calls for thoughtful decisions on infrastructure, growth and development balancing present needs and future costs. - Priority: 'Plan for our future' — thoughtful decisions about infrastructure, growth and development.
- Weighs both today's needs and tomorrow's costs.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“Make thoughtful decisions about infrastructure, growth and development, with an eye to both today’s needs and tomorrow’s costs.” Source: Home | Melinda Davie - Mayor of Mono · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High |
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| Social & community servicesWho looks after the most vulnerable residents? | | | |
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| Active transportationCan I walk and bike safely around town? | | | |
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| Arts & cultureDoes the candidate value what makes this place feel alive? | | | |
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| Data centresShould energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here? | | | |
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| Water & wasteIs our drinking water safe and our waste handled? | | | |
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| Bylaw enforcementAre the rules fair, and are they actually enforced? | | Creelman backs tougher by-law enforcement via an administrative penalties system for illegal land uses. - Proud of progress cleaning up junk sites and illegal truck yards; says the Town must prepare for more illegal land use.
- Supports transitioning to an Administrative Penalties process (pending provincial approval) so fines can be set and collected efficiently.
- Wants faster, more responsive follow-up when residents report by-law breaches.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)“We must prepare for more illegal land use in the future.” Source: johncreelman.com — campaign issues · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | |
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