GUYSBOROUGH — The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG’s) newest councillor – and only new face on council – says she’s committed to providing more affordable housing, support for seniors, better information about onshore and offshore wind developments, and to sustaining “what has been completed so far” through strong electoral representation.
Susan Cashin of Port Felix defeated 30-year incumbent Warden Vernon Pitts – earning 224 of the 332 votes cast, with two ballots spoiled, in the Oct. 19 municipal election – to represent District 6 (including the communities of Lundy, Larry’s River, New Harbour, Tor Bay, Charlos Cove and Port Felix) on the next municipal council.
“I have volunteered on many community projects throughout District 6, as well as [those] throughout the county that have partnered with the MODG council and staff for guidance and funding,” she told The Journal in an email Monday (Oct 21). “I have always taken an interest in supporting initiatives that would provide our county a safe, enjoyable, and affordable place to live.”
Cashin – who works for the Department of Community Services in Guysborough, and who ran unsuccessfully against Pitts in the 2020 municipal election – said, “The key concerns I believe, as well as the beliefs of many residents, are the need for more community-oriented support from their district councillor.”
That, she emphasized, includes “the need for... affordable housing in the district [and] more support for our seniors,” but also “a strong voice in council [and] more support from the MODG staff for new community projects and to sustain what has been completed so far... I think overall we are not working together to sustain what we already have in place, like the loss of many government positions and government offices or small businesses closing due to lack of support within. Residents would like to be made more aware of any pending changes that may affect them or their livelihoods and to be able to partake in the decision-making process, [including] affordable taxes for all residents.”
Also top of mind among residents of her district and across the municipality, she said, is “the need to be more informed” about onshore and offshore wind developments. “I am concerned with the possible harm to our local fisheries with the potential offshore wind developments. This [fishing] is the number one source of income for many residents in District 6 and throughout the MODG and without the local support from this workforce I can almost see the devastation within. I have learned through my door-to-door campaigning that we need to be more informed on the project, and more involved in presenting our concerns to council.”
She added: “Previously, I have had communications with the project manager from Net Zero Atlantic that had presentations in Guysborough, which I attended, and in Canso. They are willing to give a presentation in New Harbour in December. I also have had communications with the stakeholder manager and employees with DP Energy, and they are willing to give a presentation in New Harbour in November.”
As for EverWind Fuels’ plans for three large onshore wind farms in the MODG, she said, “There have been several presentations from [them] throughout the county. I did attend one in Guysborough and, although I do see many incentives for the county, I think that 400 wind turbines throughout the MODG may somewhat be harmful for our ecosystem. We need to be provided more information. We need to have more residents attending these sessions so that they can bring forward any concerns or comments that they may have.”
Ultimately, she said: “I will bring [all] concerns forward to council to work together for solution[s] that [are] in the best interest of the constituents... My plan is to be able to be present in their communities on a regular basis, possibly at their community centres.”
District 6 – which Pitts had held continuously since 1994 – was the sole contested race in an otherwise uninterrupted field of acclamations in the MODG, which saw every other councillor summarily restored to office. According to returning officer Magdelyn Connelly, voter turnout in the district was 70 per cent.
Pitts – who earned 106 votes in Saturday’s election – did not respond to The Journal’s request for comment by press time. The former councillor was first elected from District 6 in 1994. He was deputy warden between 2008 and 2013 and, since then, warden. He’s also served on several committees, including: property services, environmental services, financial services, staff and personnel, landfill liaison and Eastern Region Solid Waste Management.
Cashin will be sworn in with other members of the MODG’s new council at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
