Alberton’s mayoral race heats up
Incumbent facing two challengers in West Prince town
Two candidates for mayor of Alberton are suggesting it is time for change, while incumbent mayor Michael Murphy says his hope for Alberton is “to be able to maintain today’s tax rate and still progress along as we have been.”
Rosetta Tremblay, who has been a member of town council since 2014, pronounced herself ready to take her municipal involvement to the next level.
“I spent four years there, to learn and observe and see what takes place and how it works,” she said.
“My message is, ‘it’s time for a change and I hope to be able to be mayor so that, with a strong team behind me, we can get things done.’ You have to work as a team to make things easier and to get productive things done.”
Gordon’s Tours owner, David Gordon, is making his first venture into municipal politics and says the response he’s getting at the doorsteps has been positive.
“From what I’m hearing there’s definitely going to be change.”
Alberton, he said, used to be the hub of West Prince, but he wonders if that’s still the case.
“I think Tignish and O’Leary bypassed us. That’s just my feeling.”
With the exception of a new town hall, he said little has changed in the last eight years.
“I put my name in thinking the town needs change,” Gordon said. “I feel I can be a good mayor for the Town of Alberton.”
Murphy, however, contends there has been much positive change in recent years, including the town-owned Emma Drive subdivision which has now entered Phase two of its development, taking over full operation of the library, attracting the West Prince campus of Holland College and the expansion of the town lagoon system, now underway. Attracting more affordable housing units to Alberton is a goal going forward, he said.
A former Alberton town councillor, Krystyna Pottier, is disappointed she won’t have an opportunity to vote in this election as she will be out-of-province on the advance poll and election dates. She’s hopeful, though, that Alberton residents turn out in large numbers to choose a council that’s prepared to look at where the town can go in the future.
“I think the town has a good future. We need to look at bringing more businesses to the area, improving our tax base and bringing people into town with families and children. They are the future of the town.”
Resident John Kenny says his vote will reflect his desire for change. “I think they could get along a little better,” he suggested.
Gordon thinks Alberton should follow Tignish’s lead on a splash pad and said there is also a clear need for more activities for the town’s senior population.
Tremblay who has been an active volunteer in Alberton, including helping out with festivals and filling in at one time as recreation director, said she hopes familiarity
works to her advantage. “Everybody knows who I am, and I know them.”
Murphy, who has been spending the final week leading up to the election in hospital, said it was an easy decision to seek a fourth term.
“I enjoy it,” he said; “I enjoy working with people, getting things done around town.”