Melissa Hilton has announced her bid for election in Charlottetown’s Ward 6 – Mount Edward in the upcoming municipal election.
Voters head to the polls on Nov. 5.
Hilton, who had been previously elected four times to council and currently sits as finance chair, had been serving the residents of Ward 9 - Stonepark until the maps were redrawn.
“After much reflection and encouraging conversations with many Ward 6 residents, I have come to realize that I can have a much greater impact in my home ward when councillor of the ward,’’ Hilton said.
Hilton has served as chair of several portfolios, including fire and emergency services, parks and recreation and leisure activities, and most recently finance, audit and tendering. Over the years, she has also served as an active member of many other standing committees of council.
She said as chair of finance, the city was able to realize a $320,000 annual savings through the open tendering of its insurance coverage. Additionally, even when facing a $3-million deficit, Hilton was able to work with her colleagues on council to hold the line on tax rates, avoiding an increase.
As councillor for Ward 9, Hilton said sidewalks have increased dramatically and ditch infills have spread across much of the ward. One of the highlight projects was the construction of the Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre and she would like to continue working with council to build/maintain the necessary infrastructure such as Sherwood Hall, Cody Banks Arena, playground equipment, speed humps, street lighting and more.
Hilton was an early champion for the lighting of the Confederation Trail and most recently of maintaining operation of Fire Station 2 in Sherwood.
Hilton is a graduate of UPEI and a member of her family-owned business located in Charlottetown. She has served as an active board member with the Four Neighbourhoods Community Health Centre and the Island Fitness Council, as well as in team management roles with the Sherwood-Parkdale Rural Minor Hockey Association.
She and her husband Rob have two daughters, Nicole and Robyn.
