The following is my speech from the Meet the Candidates event held on September 29th, 2026.
Good evening.
Thanks to the Kinsmen for hosting tonight’s event, and thank you for being here.
Events like this matter because they give residents a voice in shaping the future of our town. I’m here tonight to earn your trust, share my vision, and ask for your support.
You’ve heard a lot recently about the Town’s debt. I’d like to give credit where credit is due – and that is with the Town Treasurer.
But we also need to be honest about the challenges ahead.
Most of you have driven on our roads. You’ve seen their condition.
A recent report to Council showed the Town is investing only about 10% of what is needed for infrastructure and road replacement. Delaying these investments doesn’t save money. It simply leaves future taxpayers with a larger bill.
That’s why I’m committed to improving investment in road maintenance, road safety, and long-term infrastructure planning. I’ll do that by reviewing the Towns expenditures and rebalancing what we spend money on.
At the same time, you’ve seen significant property tax increases at both the Town and Region. Residents are paying more and deserve better results.
Next term of Regional Council will see the elimination of Regional Councilors, an appointed Chair and the introduction of weighted voting. We are all concerned that Pelham could be overtaken by larger municipalities: St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland.
With half of your property taxes paid to the Region, I share those concerns.
Experience matters. But experience only matters if you’re there to represent your community.
Last year, the Mayor was absent from ¼ of the Regional Council meetings and attended 50% of them virtually. Attendance is not optional. It is a fundamental responsibility of what must be a full-time job.
But my campaign isn’t about looking backward.
It’s about moving Pelham forward.
Through my community survey, one message has come through loud and clear: many residents feel uninformed and unheard about what’s happening at Town Hall.
I believe the best municipalities are those that listen, communicate, and engage. That’s why enhanced communication, transparency, and public engagement are central to my platform.
Many of you have also spoken about the importance of a healthy and thriving downtown.
That starts with supporting our business community; Rumar Farms, Willowbrook Nurseries, DeVries Farm Market, Sons & Daughters, to name a few.
We cannot have planning policies that make it harder for farms and businesses to succeed. We need policies that encourage investment while protecting the character of our community. That’s why I will review our planning policies and work to ensure they’re not hurting local businesses and agriculture, because they are.
As Mayor, I will develop a meaningful business engagement strategy shaped by local business owners, farmers, employers, and residents. I will also establish a regular business and community roundtable so we can communicate, collaborate, and solve problems together.
Please visit my website for more information on my full platform. Pelham deserves leadership that listens, engages, and delivers results.
Please Vote Adamson for Mayor.
