Mayor's candidate says council must work with entrepreneurs

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Perth-Andover residents need more job opportunities within the community and Perth-Andover businesses need a vibrant municipality to grow and prosper, a candidate in the mayor's race told the Victoria Star.

Rick Beaulieu

Coun. Rick Beaulieu, who was elected to council in a by-election several years ago, decided to seek the mayor's position after numerous Perth-Andover residents approached him and suggested that he run for mayor. Coun. Susan Murchison is the other candidate contesting the mayor's position.

There was a lot of discussion in the community and lot of interest in me running for mayor, so I decided I would offer in that capacity," he stated. "I have enjoyed my time on council and it has been a great learning curve in whatever the municipality is involved in. This has really opened my eyes to what is really going on in the community and it has pointed out some of the things that are happening and how complex this small municipality is. I have enjoyed my time on council."

Coun. Beaulieu said the forestry downswing has made local jobs harder to find, and council must work to secure new employment.

"That is widespread and the other businesses are hurting too. I think we have to focus on what we can do to help there," he said. "Council needs to be aggressively pursuing new businesses."

The candidate said Perth-Andover is fortunate to have a solid core of small and medium sized businesses, and council must work with the business community to help them through tough times.

"I was pleased with the results and the turnout at the (business retention) meeting. There were a lot of businesses represented there. The results of the survey highlighted over 40 actions items we need to do. We need to sit down with the business owners at the table to make sure these items are completed to benefit the community."

Beaulieu said he is happy the village had committed $30,000 over three years to get the village chamber of commerce functioning again.

"A chamber is a necessity. The businesses have to work together and use that common voice, to not only allow council and government to know what is going on in their businesses, but also to improve business conditions in the community, whether that is holding special events and drawing people into the community. We need to discuss issues and be on the same page."

Coun. Beaulieu said council's efforts to eliminate municipal debt have been very beneficial to the community, helping to keep tax rates lower.

"Instead of spending money on interest the community can use this money for capital projects. We are not carrying a huge debt load and paying interest payments with residents' tax dollars."

Coun. Beaulieu said electrical price increases are an issue in the community, but the village has been able to maintain lower costs for Perth-Andover customers by operating the municipal utility efficiently.

The candidate said Perth-Andover needs to work with neighboring communities instead of looking at a more formal amalgamation of municipalities.

I think the more bodies that we have at the table working cooperatively together, the more we can accomplish. I think we have to have a cooperative spirit with Aroostook and Tobique First Nation. If we are going to bring industry into our area I think we should be working as unit."

Coun. Beaulieu said the village has a lot to offer new residents.

"Our recreation department is very active. Look at the summer activities like baseball and lacrosse, swimming, hockey in the winter time, basketball going on, we have excellent facilities. The river is quite an attraction as well."

"We really have a lot to offer for a small rural municipality. Perth-Andover has always been an important hub in the valley and we should expand on that," he concluded.