Fight for downtown
The biggest election race in Charlottetown takes shape in Ward 1 to replace Eddie Rice
The biggest race among Charlottetown’s 10 wards is happening downtown in Ward 1.
The two-term incumbent, Coun. Eddie Rice, is not re-offering.
And, the race to replace him is intense, with five names, so far, vying for the job — Alanna Jankov, Laurent Beaulieu, Leo Killorn, Paul Haddad and Ron Dowling. The deadline to enter the race is 2 p.m. Friday.
“It’s an empty seat,’’ Rice says matter-of-factly when asked why he thinks the race to replace him has generated so much interest. “But Ward 1 is not just a ward, it is actually the Vatican of Charlottetown. It’s got every type of business. It’s the hub (of the city) and it’s a very important seat. All council should consider to be representing that.’’
Rice said it’s an area of the city that has a big seniors’ population and lots of apartments.
Jankov believes it’s because there is such a mix in the downtown core of the city.
“It’s where City Hall is. It’s where a lot of the business is and the business development,’’ Jankov said. “Then there’s residents and then there’s the business owners. And, I think it’s because Eddie is not running so it’s an open ward so there is a real opportunity to change it up. It is like the Vatican.
“He told me he wasn’t going to run and I told him, ‘I’d like to take over the Vatican if I can’. He told me just to give it a whirl.’’ Beaulieu said it’s great to see such interest in the ward.
“My approach is that we live in a democracy and anybody who wants to run can run and is entitled to do so as a citizen and if you want to participate, please participate. It’s important,’’ Beaulieu said.
Beaulieu also agrees with Jankov, that Ward 1 brings a lot of different variables to the table not found in the other nine wards.
“We’re not just residential,’’ he said.
“We are tourism, business, residential, riverfront, development. There are all these issues that do not happen in any other ward. Here’s it’s a real mixed bag and I find you really have to do a lot of gymnastics to address all the issues and be aware of what concerns people. Maybe that’s the reason why there are so many people (running). Everybody thinks I can bring something to the table.’’
As for the issues, Jankov said affordable housing and lack of housing are the big things she’s hearing at the door.
Beaulieu said the top issues are parking, housing in all its forms and cycling.
“People don’t want talking anymore, they want action. I don’t know how many people have said to me, ‘Stop talking, just do it’,’’ said Beaulieu.