Municipal Election 2026: Who’s Running in the Town of Mono

Mayor 

John Creelman (incumbent)

Email: [email protected]
Website: johncreelman.com

What experience or background do you bring to the table? 
I bring 35 years of public service to the table both on Mono council and as a Justice of the Peace. I love public service and the opportunity to serve my community and its residents. Governance is hard work, balancing the pressure of increasing costs and demand for new services with shrinking revenue sources. Finding the best possible balance between what we must fund and what we can afford takes experience and good judgment. Part of a mayor’s job is also to advocate on behalf of residents on issues facing municipalities and our community. 

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
Keeping Mono Mono. That means something to people who have been here for generations and those who have just moved in. It means fiscal responsibility, setting responsible defendable budgets while finding new sources of revenue other than simply raising property taxes. Good planning decisions, ones that reflect Mono’s character. By law enforcement, especially when it comes to illegal and destructive land uses. Road safety, continuing to press for better enforcement and actual real deterrence. Finally, continuing to press the Province for a more respectful relationship with municipalities.

Why should voters elect you?
It comes back to experience and knowledge, and balancing competing needs with what we can afford. Understanding the process of government is increasingly key along with the ability to speak up for residents when it comes to defending municipalities and Mono in particular.

Melinda Davie (current council member)

Email: [email protected]

What experience or background do you bring to the table? 
I have been a town councillor for five years, on the recreation advisory committee for eight years and a Mono resident for 12 years. I bring to the table 18 years of professional misconduct adjudicative work and more than two decades of listening and critical decision-making as a pediatrician. I have represented Mono residents’ interests in a measured, reasonable and balanced way,  mindful of  present and future Mono. I have served as chair of the board of the CDRC. As well, I have represented Mono on the  boards of the Shelburne and Rosemont Fire Departments and the Shelburne Library.

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
An important issue for Mono is ensuring we maintain service availability, particularly for our greatest expenditures, including fire and police protection, public works, parks and recreation, and general governance. We must balance the challenges of the growing community with rising costs. I am committed to maintaining high levels of service for our residents, suburban and rural, and to protecting and investing in our infrastructure through appropriate maintenance and lifecycle planning, while safeguarding Mono’s long-term financial position.

Why should voters elect you?
I have the requisite experience and respect for the office. I am ready to lead our meetings and ensure they run smoothly, following proper rules to ensure fair, transparent public discussion and decision-making. I am ready to take a representative role as the chief spokesperson for council. I will continue to work cooperatively as part of council, as the mayor is but one voice of five. I will uphold the public’s right to an open and accountable local government by listening closely, weighing facts and expert advice, and facilitating resident input.

Emerson Pendleton

Email: [email protected]

What experience or background do you bring to the table? 
My family tree has generational roots across Dufferin County. I was born and raised in the hills of Mulmur. I appreciate community involvement and participation. Prior to moving to my farm in Mono (2019), I was an active citizen with Mulmur council and committees, including the Economic Development Task Force and Mulmur Parks Advisory Committee Chair for over 15 years. My education and work experience developed strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills as well as the ability to be accountable in a professional setting. I have learned respect for long-term planning, continuous learning, dealing with adversity and community building. 

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
When speaking with residents and business owners, the disconnection between the “Corporation of the Town of Mono” and the grassroots people, families and businesses of Mono Township is obvious. Many people feel the local government disregards the average person but accommodates the wealthy and connected. This is the most significant factor affecting poor voter turnout and community participation. I believe council should represent all of Mono regardless of who you know or what your affiliation. I feel Mono should earn tax revenue, not be entitled to it. Ratepayers should get value for their dollars, not treated like a cash cow.

Why should voters elect you?
Change is overdue for the people of Mono. Council is stale and uninterested in serving the long-term needs of residents and businesses. Mono needs to refocus and evaluate its priorities and processes. I believe in comprehensive governance and sustainable motivations (social, environmental and economic). I would like to streamline council to provide results in a timely manner. There is too much unfinished business after every council meeting. I am a proud dad and goofy uncle, genuinely motivated to provide objective and positive progress for the people of Mono and future generations.

Deputy Mayor

Laura Campbell

Email: [email protected]

Fred Nix (incumbent)

Email: [email protected]

What experience or background do you bring to the table?
I have been on Mono Council for 16 years and have been the Deputy Mayor for five years. For 28 years I was Mono’s representative on the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, serving as chair of that organization for three years. For the last three years, I have represented three Dufferin municipalities on the board of Credit Valley Conservation. I also sit on Dufferin County Council and have sat on the board of the Shelburne and District Fire Board for 16 years. 

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
A major issue for Mono is development pressures. Our Official Plan contemplates some development and I support this. But the two large development proposals that have landed on our desk over the past several years have been for large subdivisions with expensive homes. This was not contemplated in our Official Plan and the types of houses proposed are not in accord with the housing we need in Dufferin County. We are under no requirement from the county’s Municipal Comprehensive Review to plan for a population increase between now and 2051. I will be arguing against any new, large subdivisions.

Why should voters elect you?
Voters should elect me to ensure that there is an experienced Deputy Mayor in Mono. With 16 years under my belt, I am familiar with all the issues – growth pressures, water issues, preserving our farm land, guarding our incredibly beautiful natural resources, keeping a fiscally conservative voice on council, and dealing with a multitude of social issues on county council.

Councillor (3 positions)

• Elaine Capes (incumbent) – [email protected]
• Patrick Hendley – [email protected]
• Ralph Manktelow (incumbent) – [email protected]
• Bradley Mayer-Harman – [email protected]
• Christine Sinclair – [email protected]
• Christine Walker – [email protected]

School Board Trustee – Upper Grand District School Board (English Public)

• Bernie Karsh (acclaimed)

School Board Trustee – Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (English Separate)

• Paula Dametto-Giovannozzi (acclaimed)

School Board Trustee – Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Public)

• Rachael Golem – [email protected]
• Eric Lapointe – [email protected]

School Board Trustee – Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French Separate)

• Genevieve Grenier  (acclaimed)

More information: Town of Mono election site

Register to vote: registertovoteon.ca