Re-Elect John Creelman for Mayor of Mono

Here are a few issues (in no particular order) that I’d like to address. Check back for updates.

Fiscal Responsibility

We must always balance spending with what we can afford. 

Almost 50% of our taxes go towards Dufferin County programs while nearly 25% of our expenditures are earmarked for OPP and fire services, costs we have little or no control over. Over 50% of our budget goes towards roads. While we manage these fixed costs, provincial grants have declined by $664,432 over the past four years. Like Mono residents, we are also facing double-digit increases in insurance costs.

This all means we must budget carefully, find in-year savings and research new sources of revenue so we are not relying solely on property taxes. 

Strong Mayor Powers

The Province has extended these to many Ontario municipalities (Councils of seven members or more). We don’t need them, and I don’t want them. They are anti-democratic and corrosive to a council working collaboratively. Every candidate in this election should be asked where they stand on Strong Mayor Powers.

Mono Council has always operated on shared decision-making. Each member, including the Mayor, has the same vote on all issues.

Restore a ‘Make Mono Shine’ Litter Pickup Day

Sadly, litter and garbage along our roads and in our parks are increasing. In addition to organizing a cleanup campaign in the spring,  we should also provide garbage tags to community-minded residents who regularly clean our side roads and parks. Ice storm damage is increasing due to climate change, so Council should also look at extended opportunities to accept brush at our landfill. 

Planning

A review of Mono’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law is overdue. Some changes are needed immediately and should not be held up pending a complete review. We need to move quickly on such things as oversized ‘Monster Homes’ and intrusive light pollution.

I favour streamlining the planning application process to reduce wait times and eliminate unnecessary red tape.

Better Roads

In addition to maintaining Mono roads in good repair, I want to see Dufferin County invest in repairs to Hockley, Mono Centre and Airport Roads. In many locations, this is badly needed.

By-law Enforcement 

I am proud of the progress we have made. We have cleaned up junk sites and illegal truck yards. We must prepare for more illegal land use in the future.

As soon as we can, we will transition to an Administrative Penalties process (pending provincial approval) that will allow us to set and efficiently collect fines while keeping these matters out of an overloaded court system. 

We rely on residents to report properties and situations that may be breaching our by-laws. I want us to be more responsive to issues and communicate back to residents in a timely way. 

Tackling Invasive Species 

This is a problem for both public and private properties. More public education is needed, along with partnerships with Parks Ontario, Conservation Authorities and landowners eager to rid their property of things like Phragmites, Buckthorn and Dog-strangling vine, to name but a few. 

Community and Road Safety 

For years now, I have called for effective policing and an increase in fines for driving infractions. 

A few weeks ago we were told OPP costs would increase next year by as much as 11%. That’s on top of last year’s increase of 11% and a 22% increase in 2025. 

I favour targeted road safety initiatives in areas of concern.

A Fire Plan for Public Lands

Mono is blessed with the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, the Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve, and Dufferin County Forest. What we do not have from the Province is a comprehensive fire plan for its large tracts of land. 

Simply relying on local fire departments and mutual aid in the event of a wildfire in the park isn’t good enough. I have reached out to the province on numerous occasions and will redouble my efforts to ensure a plan is developed for our community.