Waiting his turn

Charley Palmer of Tignish waits his turn before getting on the slide at the annual Palmer Road Parish Picnic on Sunday in Palmer Road. Charley is 14 months old. He joined hundreds of others for the annual picnic, which is now in its 32nd year.

Entrepreneur and youth mentor Jason Gallant is hoping to become the Progressive Conservative candidate in the upcoming byelection in SummersideWilmot.

Gallant has already been working to earn the nomination, signing up members to support him in his bid.

“I have been humbled by the outpouring of support and strong encouragement from community members to consider letting my name stand,” said Gallant.

“Summerside holds a special place in my heart, and I feel a responsibility to give back to my community to help make it a stronger place to live, work and raise our families.”

Among the issues Gallant would like to focus on for the district are strengthening the education system to build a stronger economy that will create jobs and give our youth a chance to thrive.

A graduate of Three Oaks High School, Gallant is the young leaders co-ordinator at the new youth engagement centre at the Summerside Boys and Girls Club. He is responsible for co-ordinating the Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs and Community Leaders Program, providing guidance and leadership to the youth of Summerside.

Gallant is also the site co-ordinator for the strengthening families program and has served his community for the past two decades as a volunteer coach for numerous sports including hockey and baseball.

Gallant is the fourth candidate to publicly declare his intention to run in the PC nomination race for the seat left vacant by the resignation earlier this month of former MLA Janice Sherry.

The PC nominating convention for District 21, Summerside-Wilmot will be held Monday, Sept. 12.