Candidates for mayor and deputy mayor in Tecumseh, including Joe Bachetti and Larry Morand, have begun detailing their platforms for the upcoming municipal election.. The race highlights a growing tension between maintaining established neighborhood character and managing necessary urban growth .
Joe Bachetti’s push to end a 21-year mayoral era
Joe Bachetti is positioning himself as a catalyst for change in Tecumseh, citing the need for new perspectives after nearly a quarter-century under the same leadership. According to a report by CTV News, Bachetti—a retired school principal who has served as a councillor for 20 years—aims to address what he calls the "three T's": taxes, traffic, and town development. He has pledged to keep tax increases at or below the rate of inflation and to avoid utilizing "Strong Mayor Powers" to ensure that council decisions remain a collective, democratic process.
Directing growth south of the E.C. Row Expressway
The debate over housing density remains a central pillar of the Tecumseh campaign, particularly regarding the controversial proposal for "four units as of right" in established neighborhoods. Bachetti has voiced strong opposition to densifying single-family zones, instead proposing that growth be concentrated in lands south of the E.C. row Expressway. By focusing development on areas near Manning and Banwell, Bachetti argues the town can provide diverse housing options for seniors and youth without disrupting existing low-density residential zones.
Traffic management on Tecumseh Road is another priority for Bachetti, who suggests revisiting parking restrictions to improve vehicle flow. He has proposed eliminating parking on the south side of the main street to prevent drivers from using residential neighborhoods as alternate routes. This focus on infrastructure reflects a broader municipal struggle to balance transit efficiency with the preservation of quiet residential streets.
Larry Morand’s 40-year history of local service
Larry Morand is entering the race for Deputy Mayor with a platform built on four decades of service as a volunteer firefighter in Tecumseh. as reported by CTV News, Morand intends to leverage his experience in emergency services, public works, and insurance to provide a practical approach to municipal budgeting. his candidacy is also framed by a deep family connection to the town, noting that his grandfather and uncle previously served on the Tecumseh Municipal Council.
The missing responses from McNamara and Jobin
While Bachetti and Morand have laid out their visions, significant gaps remain in the candidate field. The report notes that incumbent Mayor Gary McNamara and Deputy Mayor Tania Jobin have yet to provide responses to inquiries regarding their specific platforms or intentions for the next term. This lack of information leaves voters without a clear comparison between the challengers' new ideas and the incumbents' existing records.
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