Last spring, Neil Morton approached me as part of his now well-known 100 Coffees tour. This was an intentionally designed opportunity to meet people from many sectors and backgrounds in Peterborough.

I talked about many topics related to the seniors, health care GAIN Clinics NORCs and the Age Friendly Committee in Peterborough.

We both know healthcare funding is needed from provincial engagement, and maintaining good relationships with the province is always important.

The potential role of municipal government in supporting vulnerable low-income and socially isolated seniors in our community, through geared-to-income housing and supports.

What struck me then and in subsequent meetings was Neil’s ability to listen, distill the problem into a series of challenges and opportunities and then pursue his hunt for answers.

Here was a guy who actually listened.
Here was a guy who actually followed through.
Here was a guy who said he’d study other municipalities’ successes (and he did!)
Here was a guy who voiced the ways in which seniors were an economic and educational asset for Peterborough,
Here was a guy who sees a city where the lens of seniors is part of our municipal planning.

I offered ideas, but he followed through to become informed, to create connections with other municipalities, to define how to achieve success.

With roots in this city, Neil has a network of friends and understands how relationships can grow an economy, inspire entrepreneurship, build business, and create change.

I have known all the major candidates for Mayor and respect them all for different attributes. But I have never met a candidate quite like Neil.

I've spent time trying to figure out what those qualities are that make him stand out and what I have concluded is that he is bright, he's a quick learner, and he doesn't shy away from the tougher issues. The attribute that sets him apart is his commitment to finding palatable solutions that make good business sense but also support the most people possible.

So often politicians especially those well entrenched in government learn to say a pleasantry to quell the concern and shelve the issue in a banker’s box of unrequited options. Or they hide behind the bureaucrats and disavow any knowledge of why the new changes were made.

Neil is not that way. He is genuine and grounded.

If a path suggested is not going to go the way you'd like, he'll tell you that and why. That's called communication and engagement. He's got it in large measure.

He deserves your ear. He deserves your vote.