Life’s a beach for Bradford West Gwillimbury deputy mayor candidate Brent Fellman.
If elected, one of the first things Fellman wants to accomplish is to develop a public beach in the municipality along the Holland River near the bottom of Lake Simcoe.
“I want to see a public beach proposal be established so that people from Bradford don't have to go to other towns and pay heavy fees,” he said.
Fellman has lived in Bradford West Gwillimbury for four years but has been heavily involved in the region for years, as he and his wife helped run Motel 400, the long-standing inn at the Highway 400-Highway 89 interchange. Previously living near the town border with Innisfil, he and his wife sent their three children to complete their schooling in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The youngest, Moe, is attending Holy Trinity Catholic High School, while older sons Brennan and Blake are completing post-secondary studies.
Fellman owned his own fence and deck business for 20 years, before joining Dufferin Construction for the previous four. During the off-season for construction, he can be found in the classroom as a teacher with the Simcoe County Board of Education.
He feels that town council needs leaders with experience – and not just from within the political realm.
“I believe the best way I can serve my community is in a leadership capacity,” he said. “I believe public office is in need of public servants who are honest, tell the truth, have common sense, and follow the data.”
Fellman, who ran under the New Blue Party banner in the June provincial election, is critical of the response to the pandemic from multiple levels of government. With his background in civil engineering and experience as a business owner, he feels he would help council chart a different course if faced with another crushing wave of COVID-19 or some sort of other calamities.
“The recent pandemic response from government officials at all levels showed a glaring need for those with science background and mathematical analysis, which I can provide,” he said. “I will tell the truth, use common sense, follow the data, and be responsible.”
He also has concerns about the overreach from other levels of government that he feels is hindering the town and its residents.
“We need to support our farmers so that they can produce our food unrestricted by federal mandates,” Fellman said. “We need to increase the housing supply to decrease rental costs and the cost of housing so that it is affordable to the average person. I want to see Bradford, the town I live in, grow responsibly yet be a place that celebrates our best among us. ”
Support for area youth is also a key issue for Fellman, who has served as President of Innisfil Baseball for six years and coached hockey, baseball and basketball in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
“We need to make sure our young people have many activities available to them so that they stay away from crime,” he said. “We need to find options for live theatre in Bradford to create and support local talent.”
If elected, Fellman wants to see a council that will serve the people of the community rather than rule them, promising to listen to his constituents’ concerns.
“I have many years of education, many years of business experience, many years of leadership and many years of community service, which have prepared me for the position of Deputy Mayor,” he said. “I want the people of Bradford to be proud of their local officials.”
Election day is Oct. 24.
