Brad Nieman’s growth as a councillor over the past three terms is evident.

Not that the Hallowell resident was exactly a neophyte when he started. He worked for the County in the water and wastewater division for two decades, and was in a similar role in Loyalist Township when first elected to the horseshoe for Ward 6 in 2014.

Since retiring from his supervisor post in Loyalist two years ago, he has poured his time and energy into his role as councillor. Nary a motion gets approved at Shire Hall without Mr. Nieman asking about the bottom line. 

Working in various roles with one municipality and taking a governance role with another was doubly beneficial to the candidate. Since retiring two years ago, Mr. Nieman said he’s been able to dedicate more time to a greater number of County issues and serve on more committees.

“The next logical step,” he says, is to head the horseshoe.

Highlights of his past term include the County Road 49 agreement with the Government of Ontario and the roundabout traffic solution at 62 and 1.

“Those were big wins for us,” he says. “There was a lot of work behind the scenes between Council, the Mayor’s office, the 49 Working Group and the Ministry of Transportation.”

On the other hand, Mr. Nieman thinks the Wellington water and wastewater project has not been planned or communicated to the public properly.

He isn’t opposed to a regional water plant to source water for Picton and Bloomfield in Wellington, pumping it across the Millennium Trail. But the numbers, market conditions, and projections must back up the plan.

“In order to build a regional plant, you’ve got to have the development, and at this point in time, there’s not a lot of development happening because of the economy. The development that we’re talking about, 7,000 houses and the like, isn’t happening overnight,” Mr. Nieman said. “In my opinion, you have to do it in stages so you can expand as you go. 

“If you’re going to put the pipeline from Wellington to Picton, then start putting money away now so you don’t have to finance it all through debt.” 

Mr. Nieman wants to see the County attract and retain more small and medium-sized business. That will lead to a more dynamic tax base, less reliant on residential taxes.

“We aren’t talking big companies all at once but if we can grow commercially, that would take some of the burden off the existing residential tax base.” 

“If we start bringing that type of small and medium-sized commercial industry here, there’s a better chance upper levels of government will invest here like they do in other high growth areas.”

While overspending and an increasing reliance on consultants are two of Mr. Nieman’s main concerns heading into the municipal election, one area he champions is Parks and Recreation.

He recalls a time when Picton had first-rate softball diamonds and attracted tournaments nearly every weekend. An increase in children’s summer camps, senior sports and other programming is a key priority.

“Good recreation facilities and programming—that’s how you unite Prince Edward County.”

Recreation as a community uniter is a laudable concept. The sudden war over pickleball in Delhi Park, however, suggests how easily a sense of division can erupt.

The candidate said he doesn’t have anything against pickleball or the efforts by Prince Edward Pickleball (PEP) to develop dedicated courts. 

“I haven’t seen the final plans, but when it was approved as a project of community interest, there was a three-court system. I’m hearing now it’s six courts, and it includes lights and stadium seating, a big fence around it, and there’s talk of a dome over it. That leaves me wondering now if Delhi is the right location.”

“So we need to have better conversations with all user groups at Delhi. Mount Olivet Cemetery uses that laneway for funeral services and visitations so they should have a say on things as well,” he added.