Nicholls returns to politics amid hope, optimism
Hudson’s new mayor is a familiar face in local politics. Jamie Nicholls, who was MP for VaudreuilSoulanges from 2011-2015, is returning to public life with a decisive mayoral victory, winning 73.6 per cent of votes. “I see that the people of Hudson have a lot of hope in what we’re going to do,” said Nicholls. “We’re going to increase accountability to the citizens to make Hudson a great place to live and to move forward together.” The Nov. 5 election was marked by increased citizen engagement, said Nicholls, with residents organizing kitchen table political discussions and standing-room-only town hall events. The enthusiasm translated to increased voter turnout as well, jumping from 47 per cent in 2013 to 57.4 per cent this year. Only one incumbent councillor was re-elected, Barbara Robinson in Fairhaven, District 4. Among the new faces are Helen Kurgansky (acclaimed in Como, District 1), architect Chloe Hutchison (defeating Nicole Durand in Hudson Centre, District 3), ex-journalist Jim Duff (East Heights, District 5), water advocate Daren Legault (West, District 6), and 19-year-old university student Austin RikleyKrindle in Hudson East, District 2, who will become one of the youngest councillors to be elected in Quebec. “Wow, what a team I’m going to be working with,” said Nicholls. “I think they reflect where we want to take Hudson, a multi-generational town where we have young people working with older people and young families like my own.” Both Nicholls and Rikley-Krindle said there is a wave of energy and optimism in Hudson. “Everyone’s been trying to be positive, everyone was trying to avoid negativity,” said RikleyKrindle. “Negativity really slowed the town down in the last four years, and it made people lose interest in town politics. Staying positive and showing a willingness to interact with people is really important to keeping people engaged.” Nicholls said the first order of business will be to institute a new system of district meetings. Councillors will be asked to hold regular meetings with their constituents and share the feedback they hear at the council table. “I think this will go a long way towards improving accountability,” he said. Another priority will be the creation of a master plan for the community to map out how the town should grow, and to identify green spaces to be preserved. Nicholls said the plan will be developed with input from citizens to work through policy implementation and zoning concerns. “It’s irresponsible to build within the 100-year floodplain,” Nicholls said. “Hudson’s natural assets are part of its cachet. We’re going to find ways to preserve green space while also adding density where it makes sense.”