Doug Merrill
City Council At Large

Doug Merrill for Canandaigua City Council
[email protected]

Doug Merrill currently serves as a City of Canandaigua
Councilmember-at-Large, having been appointed in August
2023 to fill a vacancy. He is running in a special election this
November to continue in the role for another year.
Doug brings a strategic lens to council that was developed
during a 40-year career in academia. He earned a Ph.D. from
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse
University before joining the faculty of Rochester Institute of
Technology, where he taught courses in biology and
biomedical sciences while also gaining valuable administrative
and leadership experience. Upon retiring in 2020, he
redirected his efforts toward community service. As a
member of City Council, he is able to apply the skills and
expertise he acquired during his long academic career to
benefit the residents of Canandaigua. Presently, he is a
member of both the Environmental and Ordinance
committees.

As your city council member, Doug remains committed to:
  • Implementing policies and initiatives aimed at combating climate change, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and promoting energy efficiency.
  • Developing strategies for balancing economic growth and prosperity while preserving our natural resources and historic heritage.
  • Introducing initiatives to encourage active public engagement and participation in both governmental and civic affairs.
  • Establishing programs that facilitate affordable and accessible housing options for families across all income levels.
  • Endorsing investments in infrastructure upgrades and enhancing public services and amenities all while ensuring tax rates remain affordable.
  • Creating opportunities for Canandaigua to build a strong sense of community that values diversity and inclusion, and that supports a wide range of cultural and recreational activities.
Picture

Memories of Canandaigua
​Many of my fondest childhood memories are from the summers I spent at my  grandparents’ little cottage on East Lake Road. It was those memories that drew me
back to Canandaigua in 2014 with my wife Debra Martin, a move that coincided with the arrival of the first of our six grandchildren. Life has a way of coming full circle, and now, as I watch our grandchildren enjoy their time on the lake, I can truly appreciate the joy my grandparents must have felt so many years ago.

Sadly, it is clear to me that their lake is not the same as my lake of the 1960s.  Canandaigua Lake is under threat from a host of challenges brought on by climate change and human actions.

After retiring in 2020, I focused my energy and attention toward the environment that greatly influenced my childhood. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of both the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association (CLWA) and the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance (FLRWA). These organizations are dedicated to safeguarding and preserving the Finger Lakes and their watersheds. Our economy relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, and the wine/brewing industry, so it is crucial that we prioritize environmental conservation and sustainability. As a member of city council, I am committed to fostering and supporting initiatives aimed at environmental preservation, the development of alternative energy and green infrastructure, and addressing and mitigating the challenges of climate change. We must do all we can to ensure that this extraordinary resource is preserved for generations to come.
Proudly powered by Weebly