Deputy mayor Brogan Aylward launches campaign for St. Marys mayor

Current deputy mayor Brogan Aylward has officially launched his campaign to be elected as the next mayor of St. Marys in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

By Galen Simmons

Deputy mayor Brogan Aylward is seeking the town’s top elected office.

The first-term councillor officially launched his campaign for mayor June 12, becoming the first candidate to publicly declare his intention to replace longtime Mayor Al Strathdee, who announced earlier this year he will not seek re-election in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

Aylward said his decision to run stems from a desire to build on the experience he has gained during his first term on council and through three consecutive appointments as deputy mayor.

“After four years serving on council and as deputy mayor, I feel prepared to take on the greater responsibility of leading council while continuing to build on the progress we’ve already made,” Aylward said.

“The answer isn’t really that different from why I chose to study political science in the first place or why I decided to run for council. I’ve always had a genuine interest in breaking down complex issues and finding practical solutions.”

Aylward, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Guelph, said municipal government appeals to him because of its direct impact on residents’ daily lives.

“What attracted me to municipal government was the direct impact it has on people’s everyday lives,” he said. “The decisions made at the local level affect our roads, infrastructure, parks, services, local businesses and the overall quality of life in our community.”

As deputy mayor, Aylward has frequently represented the town at public events and chaired council meetings in Strathdee’s absence. He said those experiences have given him a deeper understanding of the responsibilities of a head of council and prepared him to take on the role permanently.

“As deputy mayor, I’ve gained firsthand experience with the responsibilities carried by the head of council and have worked closely with fellow councillors, staff and regional partners to move projects forward,” he said.

If elected, Aylward said affordability, infrastructure and responsible financial management will be among his top priorities.

“Many of the biggest challenges facing St. Marys are the same ones affecting communities across Canada,” he said. “Affordability continues to be a major concern, whether it’s the rising cost of housing or the increasing cost of everyday life.”

He said council must continue investing in critical infrastructure while ensuring taxpayers receive value for money.

“My focus would be on responsible financial management and thoughtful prioritization,” Aylward said. “That doesn’t mean making cuts simply for the sake of reducing spending. It means ensuring we’re investing in the services and infrastructure that are essential to our community.”

Aylward also said he would like to see the town undertake value-for-service reviews to better understand program performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Asked about the role of mayor, Aylward described it as one centred on leadership, collaboration and listening.

“Most importantly, the mayor should be someone who listens to residents, respects different perspectives and helps build consensus around decisions that are in the community’s best long-term interest,” he said.

If elected, Aylward said he plans to maintain an open-door approach with residents, including regular office hours and opportunities for community members to share concerns, ideas and feedback. He also said he would not use the provincially legislated Strong Mayor Powers to strip council of their democratic decision-making abilities.

“I’ve always believed that the best decisions are made when we take the time to listen,” he said, noting that includes listening to residents, business owners, town staff and his fellow members of council.

Aylward’s campaign information is available through his Instagram and Facebook accounts, and he said a campaign website is currently under development. He can be reached by email at broganformayor@gmail.com.