ANTIGONISH — Sean Cameron is the new mayor of the Town of Antigonish.
The veteran councillor defeated municipal newcomer Emilie Chiasson by 312 votes in the two-person race in the unofficial results.
“I am very happy – our team worked really hard,” Cameron told The Journal.
He noted he was proud that he and his team ran a “good, clean campaign.”
When asked about what contributed to the victory, Cameron said, “I think the experience part may have been the difference,” considering the town and Municipality of the County of Antigonish would have new leadership for the next four years, with both councils having several newcomers.
As for priorities for the upcoming term, the Antigonish native offered that the “biggest thing” is infrastructure, particularly how the neighbouring municipalities are going to accommodate the ongoing growth in the fringe area, “which we like,” according to Cameron.
Nevertheless, he added, there must choices made on water treatment and finding a new source of supply. And, of course, decisions will have to be made on the town’s sewage treatment plant. Cameron agreed the latter was a topic at the forefront on town doorsteps during the campaign; how council will be dealing with the troublesome stench emanating from the plant.
Noting how that infrastructure was constructed in the 1970s, there are options moving forward, including mechanical plants, which are smaller in size and provide more state-of-the-art features.
Cameron said that is one of the infrastructure issues that town and county councils will have to discuss moving forward. He reiterated that although the fringe growth is welcomed, there are “limitations” and work to do to accommodate it.
As for the working relationship between the town and county on these and other issues, Cameron said he is confident it will continue to be collaborative and cooperative, while noting the productive history of that partnership.
Despite it being shelved in the spring by the province, the aftermath of the proposed consolidation of the municipalities hung over the campaign.
“I don’t think there is an appetite at this point; it was such a divisive issue,” Cameron said, when asked if he thought the consolidation would be revisited during the upcoming four-year term.
He suggested that, although the “concept isn’t dead,” there is a need for a “cooling off period,” when it comes to a potential municipal merger.
He said many residents wanted to hear his position on consolidation during the campaign. Cameron, a strong opposition voice, said at the root of his resistance was the “flawed” process; there were too many unanswered questions considering the importance of the decision, describing the lack of a “comprehensive review” of many key issues.
Cameron thanked candidates for engaging in the election process; not to mention the high level of interest from residents.
“People were way more engaged than ever before,” he offered, noting the thoughtful questions he received while on the campaign trail.
The turnout would seem to support Cameron’s assessment, considering 1,948 out of 3,919 registered voters, or 49.7 per cent, cast ballots; a lofty number for any municipal election.
Cameron finished with 1,121 votes, while Chiasson garnered 809.
The mayor-elect, as part of an effort to continue that community engagement – along with sharing information with residents – hopes to reach a point where council meetings are live streamed.
Town councillors
Speaking of ballots cast, those town voters also elected six at-large councillors from a field of 11 candidates.
Andrew Murray, who was the top vote-getter (1,211), and Diane Roberts were re-elected, while newcomers Leon MacLellan, Juanita Pelly, Patrick McKenna and Jack Sullivan (a former town councillor) will join them around the table.
“It is a bit overwhelming,” Pelly said of being elected and the number of votes (1,058) she received as a first-time candidate, which placed her third in the council race.
She explained of her decision to run that a few months ago some people started encouraging to do so.
“It took me a long time to make a decision,” Pelly offered, noting factors she considered included her full-time job, along with being one of the caretakers for her adult son, Cory, who has autism.
She said, “I really believe I can be a voice for people,” noting that some people in town are “frustrated” and feel they are “not being heard.”
Pelly added, “I won’t say necessarily that there are things that have to be changed, but I think there is stuff to work on.”
As a first-time municipal councillor, she indicated, “I have so much to learn and I am open to doing that.”
Pelly is also making history as the first female African Nova Scotia, and only the second African Nova Scotian, to be elected to town council in Antigonish. Community icon Sam Gero sat around the council table in the early 1970s.
“I am ready to go, and I am looking forward to serving,” she said.
The newly elected town council will hold its first regular monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., in chambers at Town Hall on Main St.
County councillors
Joining acclaimed candidates John Dunbar (District 7), Gary Mattie (District 8) and Harris McNamara (District 9), who are members of the current council, around the table in the Municipality of the County of Antigonish will be re-elected councillors Mary MacLellan (District 1) and Sean Brophy (District 4), along with newcomers Adam Baden-Clay (District 2), Richelle MacLaughlin (District 3), Wayne Melanson (District 5), Nick MacInnis (District 6) and Sterling Garvie (District 10).
“I am absolutely thrilled with the election results. I can’t wait to get started,” Baden-Clay, one of the first-time county councillors told The Journal in an email interview.
Noting the “terrific” voter turnout (55 per cent) in District 2, he thanked the other four candidates for the seat “for keeping this campaign positive and focused on the future we want for our community.”
More broadly, he commended all candidates who ran in both the county and town.
“As I have said before, no one runs for municipal office for selfish reasons, we do so out of an abiding care and love for our community. We are so fortunate to have so many committed and engaged folks in our midst,” Baden-Clay offered.
As for his initial priorities as a new councillor, he said “to orient myself to the specifics of what the role involves, to start to get to know my fellow councillors and to work with them to develop some collective priorities for the county.”
Brophy – one of the re-elected county councillors – said he is “really happy” with the results, while thanking residents for their support. The soon-to-be second-term representative retained the District 4 seat convincingly, with 372 votes, winning by a margin of 190 over second-place finisher Kulbir Singh (182).
As for priorities heading into his second four-year term, Brophy noted his desire to create a joint water and sewer committee with the Town of Antigonish; one that will focus on issues such as finding another water source and also determining the future of the sewer treatment plant that serves residents of the town and county fringe.
When asked if he had interest in serving as county warden or deputy warden, Brophy offered the need to have those decisions be a “joint effort” of council, once the newly elected body gathers. He noted he would leave his name stand for either position, if he is nominated.
The newly elected council will choose a warden and deputy warden during its first regular monthly meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m., at the Municipal Administration Building on Beech Hill Rd.
The sitting warden and deputy warden for the county – Owen McCarron and Bill MacFarlane – respectively, did not re-offer for their council seats.
As of press time, results of the Antigonish town and county races – like all municipalities across the province – are unofficial.
The last day for candidates to apply for a recount is Tuesday, Oct. 29.
