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Melfort business leader makes bid for mayor’s chair

Sep 23, 2016 | 12:39 PM

The latest candidate to formally enter the mayoral race in Melfort is well known in the city’s business community.

Nicole Gangé is the Executive Director of the Melfort and District Chamber of Commerce.  She worked with the Chamber since April 2011.

When asked why she would be interested in the mayor’s chair, she said it was not an overnight decision.

“It’s something that’s been in the back of my head for a while now and I think it’s a point of pride in your community and wanting to give people another option,” she said.

Gagné who campaigned for several weeks said she heard a lot of familiar issues on local doorsteps with topics including infrastructure, the need for better roads, and a new rink.

She also heard some frustration from residents who don’t feel city hall is transparent enough.

“There is some discontent in the city on a couple of issues, which is nothing out of the norm,” she said.

Not surprisingly, business development and city growth are other issues featured in Gagné’s campaign.

“When you draw more business to a community, you increase your tax base which everybody benefits from,” she said.

Along with the idea of attracting more business to the community, Gagné said she would like to see construction move faster at the Stonegate development.

Gagné feels she can be a strong voice for the city.  She said her experience with the chamber helped her build some strong relationships with provincial leaders as well as leaders in neighbouring communities.

She said she is now looking forward to the candidates forum at the Kerry Vickar Centre on Oct. 18.

The other mayoral candidates are Rick Lang and Don Signori.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell