Montague mayor seeks re- election
MONTAGUE — Mayor Richard Collins will again seek the chair of eastern P. E. I.’ s largest community in the November municipal election.
Collins has won the position of mayor — on and off — more than a dozen times since he entered local politics more than 30 years ago.
“My interest is still very high in serving the residents of Montague and I believe I have the experience,” he said after filing his nomination papers late last week.
The town, which has slashed local property taxes to assist residents and attract more development, is the hub of eastern P. E. I.
“This past term, we’ve changed our model of operation and become more open and account-able to the residents,” he said.
The council recently adopted a new system of holding two meetings a month; one as a committee of council, and the second as the official monthly meeting.
“All the laundry is aired in the committee of council so the public has an opportunity to address all issues before the vote is held two weeks later.”
Collins said he’s delighted that property taxes have been peeled back two years in a row while not affecting services.
“With re- election it is my hope to encourage any incoming council to continue to do so, as our tax rates are high and we need to encourage more home construction within two new subdivisions at both ends of town.”
Collins vowed he’d never run again after losing the challenge by eight votes to former mayor Pat McGowan in the 2006 election and won in 2009 when his rival didn’t seek the nomination.
However, this time out, McGowan has confirmed she’s still undecided. Nominations close Oct. 22.