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A long-held interest in municipal politics finally won out this year when Daniel Ouellette took the plunge and submitted his candidacy for one of the South Ward's four councillor positions in next Monday's municipal elections in Grand Falls.

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Ouellette, who works as the manager of the Subway restaurants in Grand Falls and Perth-Andover, feels his experience in business and as a volunteer with various organizations will help him even further serve his community if elected on May 12.

"My interest in politics goes back to my last year in high school when I ran for and won the position of president of the student council," Ouellette said. "I would have liked to run for town council before now but my children were too young at the time. I feel I now have the time to devote to my fellow citizens as their councillor and I am hoping for their vote on May 12," he added.

Ouellette has devoted much of his free time to youth sports with organizations such as the soccer, minor hockey and baseball associations. He has also been a director with the local Chamber of Commerce.

"My main interests touch upon our town's progress in the coming years, especially its economic development. I would like to attract more businesses and industries and thus create more good-paying jobs," he said. "The construction of the new Manor this year is another important project, as well as the new civic centre. We need these types of infrastructure. Tourism is another important issue which we need to focus on in the future. There has been a lot accomplished throughout the years but I feel more can be done."

"I believe it is also very important to involve our youth in the decision-making process," Ouellette said. "We need to be able to offer them something in order to keep them here. They need jobs and services so that they don't have to exile themselves to another part of the country to get them. Young people have good ideas but they do need to feel that we are listening to them."