Voter makes case for MacSween
As a relatively new resident of CBRM (since Labour Day, 2015) I look forward to voting in the upcoming municipal election. It’s apparent that new leadership is needed and I look forward to voting for candidate Rankin MacSween.
The current mayor is likeable enough but has not set the necessary tone or direction for the municipality. The population continues to decline. Property owners are overtaxed. There are thousands fewer jobs than four years ago. Despite a poorly thought out promise to resign if port development is not advanced the direction of the project remains a mystery to many.
There’s no strategy to deal with the population decline. The mayor, once perceived to have strong connections with other levels of government, has not mobilized enough of them to deliver on the promise of a more business-friendly environment either. Little of substance has been delivered during a term which has been characterized by in-camera meetings and secret deliberations.
Our First Nations partners in Membertou were not consulted about the environmental impact of port development until placed in the position of having to make it an issue. A secret deal to part with municipally owned property on the Northside was traded for an unmet promise of job creation. Within months of joining a united municipal network (Regional Enterprise Network) for developing Cape Breton’s economy the mayor pulled us out, leaving open to question the willingness of CBRM to be a leader in economic development.
Transparency and accountability are called for and have not been delivered during the past four years. Candidate MacSween has a track record of collaboration and consultation with communities and business leaders in over three decades of economic development work with New Dawn. He provided substantial leadership in the One Nova Scotia coalition on setting a new direction for the economy of our province. He can be trusted to be transparent, to be a supportive partner and leader in economic development and to keep the promises he makes.
It’s a turning point in the history of CBRM. Electing a new mayor will provide the leadership and direction needed at this time. I encourage fellow voters to support Rankin MacSween. He’ll lead us with transparency and accountability through the steps we must take to rebuild our economy and communities, much as he has in his career with New Dawn.