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speakup

There won't be an election for the mayor's seat in the village of Plaster Rock as Judy St. Peter was the sole contender ,but there will be a contest for the four posts as councilors in the May municipal election. Seven residents will seek to be elected including Suzanne Mullin, Marcia Cathcart, Carolyn Crawford, Terry Harding, Steven Pangburn, Janet Sharkey and Gary Sullivan. Suzanne Mullin is the sole incumbent member seeking to return to a village council seat. Mullin, a local business owner, is finishing her first term in office but wants to continue work that has been started over the last four years. Getting the Tobique-Plex built was a major accomplishment, Mullin noted, but she wants to see the financial end of the project addressed. Mullin said financing, including getting the additional monies promised by the federal and provincial governments, must be secured so the village can once again have a balanced budget. Mullin said while her first term did have its challenges, it has been a positive experience.

"I've really enjoyed my first term on council," Mullin noted.

Gary Sullivan is offering for a seat at the municipal council table for the first time. The Fraser Papers employee said he doesn't have any major concerns with village affairs but "thought I might be able to add something to it."

Although he conceded it will be a learning experience if he is elected, Sullivan said that as a member of various groups and organizations, he does have experience chairing meetings and speaking in public.

Marcia Cathcart, a Region 3 Health Corporation employee for 22 years, said she decided to offer for council because she wants to contribute to the community. Cathcart noted this is the first time she has run for municipal government but she is eager to contribute.

"I just want to try and do something for the community," Cathcart commented.

Terry Harding is also offering for a council seat for the first time. The Fraser Papers employee noted he decided to run because he thinks it would be good to have some younger members at the council table.

"There are a lot of things that need to be done," he noted. "I just thought it might be good to have some new ideas and to get a feel for what the community wants."

Janet Sharkey, an employee at the Plaster Rock Golf Club, said she decided to offer for council seat for the first time because she would like to see more done for the young people of the community.

"I think we need more things for the youth in the village," Sharkey said. "I also thought this would be a good challenge."

Carolyn Crawford said she decided to run for council because she wanted to demonstrate the importance of being involved in community life. A longtime employee at Tobique Valley Hospital, Crawford noted she will retire in July leaving her with plenty of time to contribute to village affairs.

"If we're going to accomplish anything in the village, people have got to be involved," she noted.

Stephen Pangburn is also throwing his hat into the council ring. The self-employed flooring installer said he would like an opportunity "to make some changes around town".

"I just thought it might put a spark into some other people," he commented of his desire to see the community re-energized.