Two West Hants councillors announce bid to become mayor

Retiring Windsor lawyer Jim White also looking to lead new regional council

The competition to lead the soon-to-be-merged Windsor and West Hants municipality is well underway.

Kick-starting the new year, Abraham Zebian, the warden for West Hants, announced his intention to run for the position of mayor for the new municipal unit by installing signage throughout the county and town. He posted a video on social media and issued a press release on Jan. 2.

“After speaking with my family and having their support, I’ve committed to seek to represent the great people of West Hants and Windsor. A new council will need an experienced leader with the drive and knowledge to guide them and grow our new municipality,” he said in a press release.

Zebian was elected to West Hants council as a councillor for District 9 (Falmouth) in 2016. It was the year that seven of 10 representatives on council were new. He was then elected warden amongst his peers. He operates Joe’s Men’s Wear in Windsor and is part of the transition committee that has been working towards amalgamating the two municipal units.

“Having grown up in Hants County, successfully run a business here, and talking to people from all parts of Nova Scotia and Canada on a regular basis, I know what is needed to set us apart and make our region the place to live, visit, and do business in. I want to create a foundation that our children will be able to build upon and grow,” he said in a prepared statement.

Jennifer Daniels, a two-term councillor for West Hants, announced via social media her intention to run for mayor. Daniels, who was an alternate for the transition committee up until the end of 2019, owns and operates Daniels Flower Shop in downtown Windsor. She represents polling district 7 — Three Mile Plains, Martock, and has long been an advocate of the upcoming municipal merger.

Daniels noted on her Facebook page that she will be hosting a series of meet and greets leading up to nomination day.

On Jan. 6, retiring Windsor lawyer Jim White announced he was putting his name forward for the position of mayor as well.

White, who is retiring from practice on Jan. 31 after nearly 30 years, has lived in both Windsor and West Hants. In a press release, he said he hopes to use his decades of business and government experience to help guide the amalgamation.

“Windsor-West Hants has this historic opportunity to consolidate all the best of the two local communities. This will require planning for industrial development, zoning, fire services and recreation to make our area even more attractive for residents and economic development,” White said in a press release. “Further, all these plans must recognize the effects of global warming.”

White, and his late wife Janet, raised three children in the area.

“This area is a hidden gem. It is the best place in Nova Scotia to raise a family and remain here. We certainly found it to be so and believe amalgamation, if conducted responsibly, will enhance that reputation.”

Nomination forms for the position of mayor, as well as those seeking to be a councillor, are due Feb. 12 at 5 p.m., however, those interested in running can begin their campaigns at any time. The deadline to withdraw as a candidate is Feb. 13. The cost to file a nomination form is $200.

March 7 is election day, with advance polls taking place Feb. 29 and March 3.

Stay tuned to the Valley Journal Advertiser for candidate profiles once the list has been finalized and verified.