Birch Hills Mayoral candidates ready for byelection

“Informing the taxpayers of Birch Hills what issues the council is dealing with; what options and solutions we have for the issue; and encouraging public to voice their opinions before a decision is made,” he said, adding this will give the best solution with the most satisfaction for the community. “That is where transparency, accountability and trust come into play.”

With respect to the major issues in the town, Evans said the answer is future planning.

“Short term, mid term and long term. Whether it’s streets, sewer and water, internet or bylaws, we work to gain the best long term goal for each issue,” he said.

Stewart Adams

Stewart Adams has experience on both the local Rural Municipality council as well as two terms on town council. He told paNOW he wants to create a better future for his own grandchildren, and other peoples’ children.

“My family has been active in the community for several generations and I was brought up if you want to have opinions, don’t be afraid to put them out there,” he said.

With respect to important issues, Adams also discussed the need for better transparency, but added the town’s water has long been a bone of contention for the residents.

“The ongoing provincial, national guidelines for water quality have forced the town to continually upgrade their water plant and as the water specs get tighter and tighter, it becomes more challenging to meet those criteria,” he said.

If elected, Adams said he will look into options for provincial and federal funding.

John Herd

John Herd has served two previous terms on council and told paNOW he had received a lot of support from within the community to run again. Like the other two candidates, Herd said he too is committed to more honesty and respect from and within council, and also noted plans to address the need to properly pave Birch Drive

“It’s the worst street in town according to the town’s folk,” he said, adding there never seems to be enough money to it, and he disagrees with the town’s position on April 1, that residents who live on the street should be expected to pay for it.

“The practice in the past has been that if you paid for the original paving, you didn’t pay for the re-paving,” he said.

Allegations of bullying

All three mayoral candidate were also asked by paNOW to comment on the allegations of bullying that surrounded the resignations of Wojcichowsky, as well as former administer Tara Gariepy, and Councillor Shanno Simpso.

Evans said disagreeing and suggesting different solutions to issues brought up at meetings can feel like bullying to some.

“When we have good discussions on all options, we as a council should be able to make the best decision,” he said.

Adams declined to comment on the allegations and Herd said there’s been reports around town about too much bickering among councillors.

“I was on council for eight years and we had two very good councils. We disagreed but in the end we all went forward,” he said.

Polls are open Wednesday at the Civic Centre from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The two people vying for the vacant council seat are Barry Evans and Kathy Evans.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Birch Hills Mayoral candidates ready for byelection

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