Charlottetown Mayoral Candidates Share Their Platforms Ahead of November Election
This November, municipalities across Prince Edward Island, including Charlottetown, will hold elections. As of the writing of this article, four candidates have declared their intention to run for mayor of Charlottetown. The candidates are Amir Zuccolo, Mitchell Tweel, Philip Brown, and Daniel Mullen.
When asked why they are running, the candidates provided the following responses. Amir Zuccolo, who was the first to publicly announce her campaign, stated that Charlottetown is a growing city whose leadership has not kept up with the changing times. Mitchell Tweel, a current city councillor, believes the time is right for him to run after years of serving on council, and he can represent the entire city. Philip Brown, the incumbent mayor, cited unfinished projects such as the renovations at Eastlink Centre and the push for shared services with Cornwall and Stratford. Daniel Mullen, an investor and entrepreneur, posted on Facebook that residents have been encouraging him to run, saying it is time to “fix city hall.” Mullen also mentioned that he had previously proposed a Charlottetown housing authority, which was rejected by the current mayor.
The candidates also shared their qualifications for the position. Zuccolo highlighted her diverse professional background as a chemist, biotech entrepreneur, UPEI professor, and community sector worker, which has given her experience in evidence-based decision making. She also previously served as a municipal councillor in Brackley. Tweel pointed to his nine terms on city council and his involvement in various projects, such as the Simmons Sports Centre. Brown cited his experience as a city councillor for two terms in the early 2000s, his 30 years as a teacher, and his experience in the family business. Mullen’s background was not discussed in his post, but he had previously spoken about his personal experience with the city’s housing crisis when he ran for mayor in 2022.
When asked how they plan to use the mayor’s office to achieve their goals, the candidates provided the following responses. Zuccolo plans to work collaboratively with different parties and levels of government to address issues such as development and traffic concerns. Tweel stated that he will work alongside council while respecting their mandates as ward representatives and ensure the city is treated fairly by other levels of government. Brown described himself as a leader among leaders in council, taking a round table approach to build consensus. Mullen’s post discussed key projects such as more accessible transport and trails, building a new firehall, and setting up a city housing authority.
The deadline to register as a candidate is November 7, leaving time for prospective mayors to declare their intentions. The Guardian will follow up with any additional candidates who declare in the coming weeks.
Article and image source: saltwire.com
