Collins announces candidacy
Montague mayor seeking another term
Montague Mayor Richard Collins has announced his intention to seek another term in office.
Collins confirmed to The Guardian this week that he will run for re-election this November.
“Municipal politics is in my blood, I love what I do.
I’m a people person and I always look forward to serving residents in the Town of Montague,” said Collins.
Collins has been in the mayor’s seat since 2009, winning that year as well as in 2012 and 2014.
He said he wants to listen and learn from residents on new ideas for the town and hear suggestions for its future. He also wants to welcome more new businesses and residents into the growing town.
“I feel very strongly, after talking to people within the community, that we’re about to experience a building boom for our much-needed housing in the next few months,” said Collins. “I think we’re going to see that happen.”
He noted that in the past two years, Montague has paid off about $1.4 million of its longterm debt and is now almost debt-free.
“We’re in a great financial position,” said Collins.
Collins also said he was proud to see the town’s strides in “becoming the art and cultural centre of Kings County.”
“To me, that is very important. It’s good for tourism and the local economy. This part of the Island needs a boost that way and I think we’ve done a great job in promoting that,” he said.
There were previous questions on whether Montague and other Three Rivers communities would be holding separate municipal elections this fall since an amalgamation of the area is widely expected to go through. However, during Montague’s last council meeting all indications suggested the town would be holding its own election.