Former councillor joins mayor’s race
Charlottetown’s former finance chairman Cecil Villard announces his intentions for November
A former member of Charlottetown city council is seeking the mayor’s chair in November’s municipal election.
Cecil Villard, who lost his council seat in 2014 to Coun. Greg Rivard, currently chairman of the planning and heritage committees, had served 11 years on council, including eight of them as chairman of the finance committee.
Villard joins a mayor’s race that includes Al Douglas and Jamie Larkin. Incumbent Mayor Clifford Lee will not be seeking re-election.
Villard told The Guardian that he will be campaigning on
experience and leadership.
“As for the issues I consider to be key, I will campaign on appropriate taxation, citizen engagement, council empowerment, equitable human resource practices and strategic thinking and planning to create a Smart City and the future that Charlottetown deserves,’’ Villard said.
“An examination of capital expenditures for needed assets like a new fire hall and a review of City Hall to get everyone back under one roof in a structured and positive environment will be high on my priority list as well.’’
Villard is now retired from a senior role in the province’s health field and said he now
has the time to campaign and engage as many residents as he can over the next few months.
In addition to his role on the city’s finance committee, Villard served five years on committees of the Federation of Municipalities.
Outside his city responsibilities, Villard has also held a number of senior health care positions with the province, including with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hillsborough Hospital, Provincial Home Care and long-term care systems.
In the community, Villard has been involved with Special Olympics P.E.I., CIBC Run for the Cure, the Atlantic chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, AIDS P.E.I., Hospice
Palliative Care Association and the Belvedere Golf Club.
“As mayor, it will be my objective to empower each of my fellow councillors and provide the appropriate support and objective direction to the administration,’’ he said.
“Working with all members of council, city staff and the citizens of Charlottetown, I will embrace the vision of a Smart City and progress towards greater environmental integrity, livability, economic vitality and community resiliency to build the birthplace of Confederation as a great city to live, work and play.’’