The Gulf News asked everyone nominated for municipal councils along the southwest coast to share with our readers their thoughts on the issues and opportunities in their towns.
Whether an election was necessary in the town or not, we asked each nominee to answer four questions to help introduce them and their views to the residents of their communities.
The only responses received were the following ones from five of the candidates vying for seats on the Isle aux Morts council.
Their responses are below in alphabetical order by last name. Michelle Coley is also running in the election.
There are five seats available in Isle aux Morts. The council chooses the mayor after the election.
Question 1: Why have you chosen to run for municipal government at this time?
Selina Anderson: For the past four years I have served on the town council. While it has been a lot of work, I've enjoyed it immensely. It's been very rewarding to see the growth that has taken place in our town. We have seen the creation of many new jobs, starting with the improvements to our ball field, playground and Harvey Trail. I would like to remain as town councillor to ensure that the town continues to work towards growth and improvement.
Percy Billard: I've chosen to run for municipal government at this time because I want to build on what was done over the last four years. During that time we did a fair bit of paving on the main roads through the community; town's equipment which was in very run down condition was upgraded; and the children's playground was improved by refurbishing the old equipment which was dismantled and stored down by the town's garage and by adding additional equipment. Also, by hiring on an economic development officer, quite a bit of money came into the town and jobs were created from projects for the extension of the Harvey Trail, improvements to the community centre and the theme park. I would like to see improvements in these areas continued over the next four years with improvement in other areas such as a PWDU so that the town residents can have at least good drinking water.
Seaward Lawrence: I have had the opportunity of being a member of the Isle aux Morts council for almost four years. This opportunity has enabled me to better understand my community and the issues and challenges it faces. I hope the residents of Isle aux Morts will see the obstacles all ready overcome by the current council and give me an opportunity to continue to work on issues in the next four years.
Raymond LeFrense: I have chosen to run for municipal government at this time because it is very important to me to finish the agenda that I have started when I came on council four years ago. To finish paving the remainder 40 per cent of the roads, the other 60 per cent were paved from our previous four years on council. Do upgrading to the present water system, upgrade the sewage system under the 90 per cent /10 per cent cost sharing with the government and add another phase to the system. Also, to construct a new town hall under the 90 per cent / 10 per cent cost sharing with government.
George Walters: I've chosen to run for municipal government at this time because, as you know, I've served the last four years on council and we have made quite a few changes in our community in which I would like to continue to do so for another term.
Question 2: In your opinion, what is the largest/best opportunity available to your town?
Selina Anderson: For a small town, we have a lot of opportunities available to us. Our town has a very rich history starting with the Harvey family. With the commencement of the Ann Harvey Days Festival and the completion of the Harvey Trail, we have finally started to capitalize on this history. The town has certainly supported us in these ventures and we hope for continued success. I believe that the history of Isle aux Morts has unlimited potential as an economic means for our town.
Percy Billard: I think the best opportunity for Isle aux Morts is the tourism potential that can be created from the Harvey story. We have only scratched the surface of what can be done. So far, in the development of this story, Isle aux Morts has gotten a lot of publicity both provincially, nationally and internationally. Down the road I think that this story will be good not only for the economy of Isle aux Morts but the whole area of the southwest coast. We still have this historic site where the two astrolabes were discovered. Out of a dozen or so in the world, two of them were found off Isle aux Morts. This too has potential for tourism development in the future. If the new fish plant could come into production, it would also be another economic boost for the community.
Seaward Lawrence: Tourism is a huge opportunity in Isle aux Morts. Over the last couple of years we have introduced the Ann Harvey Days Festival that brings expatriates home during the summer. The Harvey Trail brings people from all over to our world. I feel that the Harvey story will have a great impact on the future of our town. Over the past four years the development of the trails and festival/ball field has given many residents employment during these tough economic times. The reopening of the playground has given kids a safer place to play and I hope to help continue with these upgrades over the next four years.
Raymond LeFrense: In my opinion, the largest/best opportunity available in Isle aux Morts is tourism. The town has a consultant hired to develop the Harvey Story. This will create more jobs in our town and this will, also create opportunities for business people in town to sell their crafts. Our town will have more tourists visiting brining more revenue to our town and surrounding areas. Also the new fish plant, secondary processing, should be coming on stream within the next few months, which will create jobs and revenue in our town.
George Walters: In my opinion the largest but not the least opportunity is the development of the Ann and George Harvey story along with our Ann Harvey festival each summer.
Question 3: What do you see as the biggest issue/obstacle facing your town?
Selina Anderson: The quality of our water continues to be a concern amongst the town residents. The town council is certainly aware of this issue. We realize that getting good drinking water is very difficult for many individuals, especially seniors or residents without access to a vehicle. This is an issue that our town council must continue to address.
Percy Billard: The biggest obstacle facing the town of Isle aux Morts is that so much has to be done and there is a limited tax base to do it. The fact that there are a number of taxpayers who won't pay until they are forced to do so doesn't help the situation. People must realize that if the money is not there when needed, things don't get done. Another obstacle is the dilapidated fish plant which is not only an eyesore but dangerous and an environmental concern. Because it was auctioned off to a private enterprise makes it difficult for the town to get things done because of the legal issues involved. I think this should be a priority of the next council to resolve this issue.
Seaward Lawrence: There are many obstacles/-issues facing our town today. In my opinion, the two largest issues/obstacles are water and road upgrading. These two issues are a constant battle for council. Although there has been some major upgrades in our town roads, all byroads need to be redone and I hope that if re-elected I can help my colleagues to have this road work completed. As for the water, in the short term a potable water system would be ideal to give residents clean drinking water and in the long term the best solution is to see if the water treatment plant can be upgraded to produce good, clean water for all purposes.
Raymond LeFrense: The biggest obstacle/issue facing our town is maintaining the services that we have with the tax base the town has now, such as keeping up with our water and sewer, road upgrading and maintaining equipment. Due to our declining population and small business base this leads to a small tax base.
George Walters: The biggest issues are clean drinking water, sewage and road paving, which we have started. Hoping we will do more repairs and upgrades during our next term if we are elected. Vandalism is also a problem in our town.
Question 4: What, if any, opportunities for regional cooperation or partnership do you see?
Selina Anderson: Regional waste management is already being implemented by the government. I believe a great partnership can be formed among the communities of the southwest coast in respect to tourism.
Percy Billard: I believe there are opportunities for regional cooperation where, as a result things can be done cheaper or where improvements can be made but not to the point whereby a community loses it autonomy. The new waste management program, which will come into effect in the near future, is one example of regional cooperation. Isle aux Morts is cooperating with Rose Blanche and Burnt Islands on the community sustainability plan. This is another example. There could be others down the road.
Seaward Lawrence: Waste management is a regional partnership that is already being introduced. The Town of Isle aux Morts has recently partnered with two surrounding communities to have an integrated community sustainability plan complete and a great partnership can be formed by communities along the southwest coast to promote tourism in our area.
Raymond LeFrense: We are in a general partnership now under waste management. Other opportunities coming would be fire fighting, tourism-selling our region. Also some support of country concept government like in other provinces.
George Walters: I think most opportunities for regional cooperation and/or partnership at this point in time, are in waste management and garbage disposal, which are ongoing.
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