Candidate Name: Dr. Elgin Pecjak
Position Sought: Councillor
Email: elginformeaford@gmail.com
Phone: N/A
Bio:
I was raised in Hepworth, Shallow Lake, and Owen Sound. My family members owned small businesses in insurance and shoe sales. My parents were business owners in Owen Sound and Meaford for over 25 years, and my grandparents ran a shoe store for four decades.I grew up loving reading, music, and knowing the value in hard work. You could find me rehearsing in the music room or reading in the library. I volunteered throughout my youth and as a student becoming active in student government in my undergraduate degree and Ph.D. My research is based in community healthcare and has permitted me to travel to speak at international conferences in Spain, England, Finland, and Austria. I have a doctorate in the social sciences with my research centering on healthcare among marginalized communities.
I moved to Meaford in 2022 and knew I had to become more involved in the community I had fallen in love with. I have had the pleasure of serving on the Meaford Public Library Board since 2023, was our 2023 Georgian Bay Reads competition, presented at an Ontario Library Association conference with library staff in 2025, and have run Rainbow Reads for three years.
Explain your primary reasons for your decision to seek election to Meaford council:
There are many reasons why I have chosen to run for municipal council. When asked, I always respond with the simplest answer, I adore Meaford. Meaford has provided me with such a beautiful and vibrant community to live in, grow, and thrive. I have cherished my time on the Meaford Public Library Board and want to continue to grow with my community.
Our community is changing quickly. While change can be scary, if we work as a community and prioritize all our municipal residents, we can truly flourish. Just as personal growth is a way of expanding my potential, growth for Meaford is a beautiful way to ensure the prosperity of our incredible community. I have chosen to run for council to be part of a transparent, community-led council term. I wish to show my love and passion for Meaford by using the skills I have in community-led initiatives and my experience on the Meaford Public Library Board to benefit and serve our community even better.
In your view, what should be the top priorities for the council that is elected on October 26?
After speaking with local residents, small business owners, and those who travel through Meaford, I have come to believe we must prioritize tourism. Many come to enjoy local events like Summerfest, Christmas on the Bay, and entertainment hosted at our beautiful Meaford Hall. Our downtown needs to be revitalized with more local business and shopping options to help keep visitors in our community longer. Adventuring into small businesses and restaurants is a great way to understand and get a true feel for a community. We have everything that Meaford needs to be a tourist destination. We have breathtaking views, beautiful waterfront, and harmonious hiking trails.
A second key priority will be listening to municipal residents in all communities. I have noticed that our residents commonly feel left out of the conversation, or left in the dark about how municipal processes work. While council members serve as liaisons, they are responsible for ensuring the public is informed and educated on the process to ensure that community members can provide informed input. Listening and implementing community feedback is not always an easy task, but without the confidence of your community, a council can not help a community to thrive and grow.
Explain the role of councillor as you understand it:
The role of councillor is a unique and special position in any municipality. The role of a councillor includes many roles and responsibilities. The primary responsibility of all members of council is to act as a public servant representing the well-being of all municipal residents.
Council members are required to engage in the negotiation, navigation, and approval of budgets, bylaws, and determine the best way for the community to run and grow efficiently. They must consider infrastructure and developments including roads, bridges, culverts, and wastewater treatment. They must collect, consider, and implement community input at all levels of processes to keep municipal residents informed and educated. Council is responsible for working with the municipality and serving on committees (such as the Meaford Library Board) and boards to address key concerns of the public. Council members speak openly with members of the community to address concerns and represent the municipality of Meaford. A council member must do this while considering the less represented members of the community including our rural communities and farming family.
