I don't normally use Y Drive's platform to tell people how I think they should vote and I'm not going to start now.

I actually think Peterborough is fortunate this election to have multiple strong candidates for mayor. There are people in this race I respect who bring different experiences and strengths to the table.

But I also think it's fair to share why personally my vote is going to Neil Morton.

Y Drive started about as "Peterborough" as a business can start. A husband and wife, a young child, from and living here in Peterborough.

Looking back at our journey, Neil has almost unintentionally been there throughout it.

When Erica and I were first trying to turn an idea into a brand, app and business, one of our first stops was StudioPTBO. We ultimately went another direction and did much of it ourselves, but Neil still welcomed us into his podcast studio when we launched and helped connect us with people in the community, including PTBOCanada.

Then Neil became a customer.

I'd see his name booking Y Drive rides, ordering through Y Drive EATS and every once in a while he'd check in to see how things were going.

There was no election happening. No campaign. No reason for anyone to take a picture of it.

He was simply supporting a local business.

That matters to me.

Actually, about 10 minutes before writing this I called Neil. Second ring, he answered. I wasn't calling about some major political issue, I was bugging him about bonfires in Peterborough.

If I'm going to have any political leverage whatsoever, apparently I'm spending it trying to get toasted marshmallows back into Peterborough backyards.

But that silly call also reminded me why I'm writing this.

Neil answers. He listens. He talks things through.

Go to fundraisers, community events, business openings and local causes over the last decade and there's a good chance you've seen Neil. More importantly, much of that happened before he was running for anything.

Neil and I aren't "friends" in the traditional sense. He's never walked through my front door and I've never walked through his. We're not at each other's Christmas parties.

This isn't an endorsement because my buddy decided to run for mayor.

It's because over many years I've watched someone who genuinely cares about Peterborough, understands business, entrepreneurship and the consequences decisions have on real people, and has always been willing to answer the phone and have a conversation.

There are other candidates in this race I respect and supporting Neil doesn't require me to tear anybody else down.

I'm simply sharing my decision.

I trust Neil to care about my interests as a resident and business owner, but more importantly as a dad, I trust that he's thinking about my kids' future here too.

I want Peterborough solving today's problems while asking what this city looks like 10, 20 and 30 years from now. Whether our kids can afford to stay here, whether there are opportunities for them, whether students coming to Trent and Fleming decide to make Peterborough home and whether someone can still start the next little company in their basement.

So I'm not asking anyone to vote for Neil Morton because Rob from Y Drive said so.

Look into him.

Look at what he's built, his track record in this community, the causes he's supported and his ideas. Ask him hard questions.

Do the same with the other candidates and make your own decision.

I've made mine.

I'm supporting Neil Morton for Mayor.

Not because he suddenly started caring about Peterborough when he decided to run.

Because from where I've been standing, he's been showing us he cares for years.