DECISION ’18 THE RACE IS ON
Writ drops today for election campaigns in Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford and Summerside
Meet Charlottetown’s four declared mayoral candidates and what they’re hearing on the campaign trail.
The 2018 Charlottetown municipal election is officially underway.
The writ of election is being dropped today, which means Islanders will soon see more candidates knocking on their door and vying for their vote on Nov. 5.
However, the four mayoral candidates for Charlottetown hit the pavement long ago to hear what potential voters have to say.
Philip Brown, Kim Devine, Jamie Larkin and Cecil Villard are the four declared candidates, although the nomination period will remain open until 2 p.m. on Oct. 19.
During interviews with The Guardian, all four candidates noted a desire for more affordable housing was a common theme heard amongst Charlottetown residents.
“It’s all across the city,” said Devine.
“People are hearing stories about people who are struggling to find a place to live and they’re very upset about that.”
Devine, who served two terms as a city councillor, said her experience would be an asset in the role of mayor.
“For five of those years, I was chair of planning board and I dealt with some really challenging issues,” she said. “I also worked in government communications for six years and developed some really good, solid communication skills.”
Villard, who has gone door-todoor at more than 6,500 homes since June 1, said other major issues include taxes, dangerous intersections, communication with councillors and city hall and ditch infilling.
Villard, who previously spent eight of his 11 years on council as chair of the finance committee, said his experience in leadership positions would be beneficial as mayor.
“My comfort level managing, working with budgets, (human resources) issues, strategic planning, developing accountability frameworks,” said Villard.
“I mean that was my whole career and I think those are the skills that fit in very well with the role of mayor.”
Larkin said he has gone through a pair of shoes every month since starting his door-to-door campaign on May 1.
He said the housing crisis was one of three major concerns that residents have.
The other two, he said, were traffic concerns such as dangerous intersections and voters wanting new politicians.
Larkin is an entrepreneur and a public servant. As an entrepreneur, he said his success was measured by how many problems
he solved, which he expects would translate well in the role of mayor.
“I’m measured in how much I improve somebody’s situation and how much I help people. That’s how I measure success and that’s what I’m looking to do as mayor,” he said.
Brown said he’s been walking, talking, and “kissing babies” since May 28.
Aside from affordable housing, Brown said main concerns residents have brought up include speeding concerns, more sidewalks and replacing the
aging Cody Banks and Simmons arenas.
Brown previously served two terms as city councillor, has been a member of a number of community organizations and was a teacher for 29 years.
He said his range of experience working with different people would be good for the role of mayor.
“I have experience coming from all parts of our community and I believe a mayor has to represent not just one age group… The mayor represents all and that’s what I want to do. I want to represent all the people of our community,” he said.
Elections P.E.I. is administering the municipal elections in Charlottetown, Cornwall, Stratford and Summerside. Advance voting for those municipalities will be held on Oct. 27, Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 while election day will be Nov. 5.
Other municipalities across the province will also see residents vote for a new council on Nov. 5. Those elections will be overseen by a municipal electoral officer with assistance from the municipal affairs department.