Voters to choose councillors, mayor on Grand Manan

With a few e-mails and a lot of cooperation, a "Meet the Candidates Meeting" came together in the Great Hall of the Grand Manan Community School on April 25 without a hitch. Of the 23 candidates, all but one arrived on time and the last one showed up as soon as his boat got in. Twenty-one candidates vying for nine council seats and two men running for mayor took part in a question-and-answer forum. The municipal election will be held on Monday, May 12, with the polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Grand Manan Legion hall in Grand Harbour.

The master of ceremonies for the meeting was Rev. Ron Ford. With the help of Gail McKenzie, armed with former Mayor Cleve Dakin's gavel, the rules were reviewed and the meeting commenced. The candidates were given two questions ahead of time and told they would have two minutes to respond.

The meeting began with Wayne Sturgeon, who is currently a councillor but is running for mayor. Sturgeon quoted Winston Churchill and former Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and spoke about the need for good strong leadership during tough economic times. Sturgeon tried rallying the crowd, saying, "Strong leadership means instilling confidence in the face of overwhelming odds. It means taking action and being the voice for inspiration." In one of his quotes, Sturgeon reiterated his belief in relating to the public. "John Diefenbaker was once told he worried too much about the little guy. Diefenbaker was said to have replied, 'I can't help it, because I'm one of them.'"

Mayor Dennis Greene, who is seeking re-election, took a different route and spoke of how the island needs a rebirth, a new long-term development plan and a strategy that will promote the island's economic growth and stability. He spoke of how he is now working with both federal and provincial governments to try to build the new Grand Manan Community Centre, while, at the same time, maintaining the tax rate at a level the average citizen can afford.

As the councillors began introducing themselves and their platforms to the audience, it became clear that the cost of the proposed Grand Manan Community Centre still had many citizens in opposition. Acknowledging that recreation opportunities are badly needed on the island, the crowd questioned the cost of the proposed buildings.

Mayor Greene stated that, after the initial municipal funding, the federal and the provincial governments have agreed to split the cost of the recreational facilities and that an offer like that shouldn't be turned down because it could be another 30 years before a similar offer is made.

Each of the candidates did well as they presented the experiences and focus that they would be bringing to the council.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Twenty-one candidates are running for nine council positions. Seeking four positions at large are Maurice Green, Pamela Charters, Phillip Ells Jr., Robert Moses, Michael O'Neill, Theresa McFarland, Sherman Ross, Darcy Russell and Ann Small. Running for the ward council seats are: Ward 1 C Kirk Cheney, Susan Parker and Rebecca Small; Ward 2 C Grant Linton and Kevin Travis; Ward 3 C incumbent Mark Ingersoll and Derek Russell; Ward 4 C Terri-Lynn Blake, Mark Greene and Stuart Green; Ward 5 C Duane O'Neill and Peter Wilcox.

Council candidates were asked by The Quoddy Tides what experience and assets they would bring to the council and what their main focus would be, if elected. A total of 18 of the 21 candidates responded by the deadline.

Terri-Lynn Blake

Terri-Lynn Blake, 32, who is employed as supervisor of the school cafeteria, describes herself as "a mother and concerned citizen." She has lived on Grand Manan since 2001 and has served as chairperson of the local community access center, CAL.Net, worked with a steering committee to bring Service Canada to the island, volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club, and worked with both provincial and federal governments on EI policies regarding rockweed harvesters.

If Blake wins a seat on the council, she says, "My main focus will be getting the much needed safety sidewalks on our roads and crosswalks in front of the school. I will work hard on getting more jobs for residents [such as] getting a safety crosswalk guard." She wants to have ferry rates reduced or eliminated and wants the new municipal building to benefit residents of all ages. She wants the Swallowtail light keeper's house put to good use and to provide income for the island and would work hard trying to reduce land taxes for residents.

Pamela Charters

Pamela Leigh Charters, 53, has been self employed in the cleaning business for 16 years. Charters says her experiences are her assets. She has worked with the public her whole life. Charters says she feels she "can have a positive input and have a different perspective to offer."

Charters says, "There are some issues that aren't going away. Windpower C it might seem impossible right now, but think big." She is also concerned about erosion, animal control and a more humane way to deal with dogs and cats. "I'm concerned with any issues about our island; times are tough and could get 'real ugly' as they say. As far as I'm concerned we're all in the same boat on our beloved 'rock,' and we're all 'bailing' to stay afloat."

Kirk Cheney

Kirk Cheney, 57, is a property manager and architectural technologist, and "in a community which relies heavily on marine activities, I feel that my experience in construction design, administration and project management would definitely be an asset to our village council."

Cheney says, "My main focus will be to assist Grand Manan in developing into the sustainable, economically sound and viable community it has the potential to become."

Phillip Ells Jr.

Phillip Ells Jr., 41, a funeral director, says he has "20 successful years experience in business ownership and management as an equity owner" and believes "in fairness and balance and would enjoy the challenges of serving the people of Grand Manan."

His main focus "would be working at the local level with business owners and fisherman to help create a more prosperous economic climate and social climate for all stakeholders on the island and aid to reduce and remove poverty and to encourage education and also a stable tax rate for residents and business owners to also encourage ownership and long-term business relationships for Grand Manan with strong fiscal management."

Maurice Green

Maurice Green, 61, is the owner and operator of M.G. Fisheries, a fish buyer and processor and says his assets that he would bring to the council "will be as a representative for the fishermen, a business owner and a taxpayer."

If elected, Green's focus will be "on fiscal management."

Stuart Green

Stuart Green, 45, is a fisherman who has lived in Grand Harbour his entire life, who says, "I have owned my own boat and fished since graduating high school in '81. I have served several years on the lobster sector of Grand Manan."

"My main focus would be on the economy of Grand Manan," says Green of being elected to the council. "Our ferry system is a burden to island business and places them at a disadvantage when trying to compete in markets. Also we need to hold the line on property taxes as we have an aging populations with many living on fixed incomes."

Mark Greene

Mark Greene, 42, has been a fisherman for 25 years and in the tourism business for 13 years. "I believe we need more self-employed persons [sitting] as councillors, as they deal with more budgeting and day-to-day business."

"We need more jobs," states Greene. "There [are] jobs on Grand Manan, but not for everyone. We have a good relationship with the N.B. government, and it will get even better as the new council will work together. I want to see Grand Manan shine. Let's get our kids to be proud of our island."

Grant Linton

Grant Linton, 44, describes himself as a captain/fisherman who has been a Grand Manan resident for 44 years. "I have served several years on the Grand Manan Fishermen's Association board of directors." He has helped find funding for many fishing-related projects and is a business owner.

Linton adds that, if he wins a seat on the council, his "main focus will be to enhance the opportunities [for] better employment. I hope to increase the number of value added jobs within our community. I am very interested in dealing with the cost of transportation of goods and people to and from the island. I would like to see a ceiling on property tax for those 65 and over. I would like to see more employment incentives for our young adults, so they can return to Grand Manan after furthering their education."

Theresa MacFarland

Theresa MacFarland, 49, is the innkeeper at the Manan Island Inn and has served on the Boys and Girls Club board of directors, Scouts Canada and the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. "The experience gained from working for these groups brings working together, following rules and regulations, chairing meetings and answering to the public in focus."

MacFarland says her main focus as a councilor would be "to remove fares from our ferries to help stimulate economic and community growth." She wants to work on social programs for "children, youth and seniors" and says health care is a great concern. "We need nurses, paramedics, [and an] X-ray technician." She believes education "can always use input from local government to help with local issues that always arise."

Robert Moses

Robert Moses, 57, is director of operations for Coastal Transport Limited, and has been on the council since amalgamation C 13 years ago. "I am rooted in business, and I have worked to promote business new and old for Grand Manan since elected to council."

Moses' focus, if re-elected, would be on "encouraging existing business, promoting new business, [and] growing the population to support the existing and new business. A community grows on the strength of its businesses."

Duane O'Neill

Duane O'Neill, 33, is a fisherman who brings his experience as a fisherman, father and "person who knows what's missing from the island" to the job of councillor. He would like to "attract young families and people who might choose to live" on Grand Manan.

Among his assets, he cites his ability to "see what is needed for people of my generation, to build a home and community here." He believes that as a new representative from Seal Cove, he could "give growth to new ideas and allow for other opinions, ideas and suggestions to have a voice."

Michael O'Neill

Michael O'Neill, 59, is production manager at Atlantic Mariculture and has served nine years on the Grand Manan village council as well as two years on the school board in Keswick.

"I have been involved in major issues that are ongoing and believe I can make the right choices for our village. Major issues to focus on [are] lack of full-time employment, the ferry service, shortage of nurses and ongoing policing issues."

"I believe I have been and will be an asset to the people of Grand Manan."

Susan Parker

Susan Parker, 57, describes herself as a "domestic engineer" who has lived on Grand Manan her entire life. "I feel I have a good understanding of islanders. I was a councillor on a previous council a few years ago."

Parker says her main focus would be "a unified council and island working together to raise our declining economy, bring new economic development and to make the youth an integral part of our community, where they can take pride and feel loved in their accomplishments."

Sherman Ross

Sherman Ross, 39, is a fisherman who has served as chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee and is the current chairman of the Recreation Committee. "These are the two most powerful committees on council. Unlike all other committees of council, these two are governed by their own bylaws, which brings along a great deal of work and reward."

Parker says that with the new Boys and Girls Club and multi-purpose facility on line, "I feel it is imperative to have councillors that will work hard on the many aspects of this project, not just throw money at it. Social rebuilding on the island is important, as well as, of course, economic rebuilding."

Derek Russell

Derek Russell, 38, earns his living as a scuba diver and describes himself as "honest, hard working and very open minded." He has lived on Grand Manan all his life and believes he has "a good idea of the feelings that my fellow islanders have."

Says Russell, "My main focus and reason for running is to keep my community informed so that when I sit on council, it will be the people of Woodward's Cove sitting there with me."

Ann Small

Ann Small is the owner of FundyGem and says that she has many years of experience working with the federal and provincial governments. She is familiar with the tools needed to access both levels of government and could enhance access for Grand Manan Council. She has worked with ACOA and other government agencies and is currently serving on the New Brunswick Fishery Advisory Board. If elected, she plans to focus on growth of small businesses, representing the "issues of the people" and "building a council that works well together."

Rebecca Small

Rebecca Small, 28, is secretary/treasurer of her own business, which she operates with her husband. She has lived her entire life on Grand Manan, which she says "is in my soul." If elected, she will bring her strength with finances and describes herself as a mother and "very family-oriented."

Her main focuses, if elected to the council, "will be to help encourage small businesses. Also to promote new businesses, to create a bigger and stronger economy."

Kevin Travis

Kevin Travis, 34, is a lobster fisherman who, if elected to council, "will seek out and value everyone's opinion, not just those who agree with me. I won't just attend the meetings to vote, but I will put the time in and work hard for the community. I will keep the community well informed and not keep the village's business behind closed doors. I want Grand Manan to remain to be a great place to work, live and raise a family, not just for me, but for my children and grandchildren as well."

Travis says his main focus, if elected, will be the economy. "We need to seek out new industry here on the island. Fishing is on the decline." He adds, "I also think the ferry is a large deterrent to companies wanting to set up here; the cost of the ferry makes it too expensive to transport goods on and off the island. We need to work with the province to get rates lowered or eliminated. I would also like to make sure that there continue to be new programs and initiatives to maintain and improve the quality of life of all residents, especially for youths and seniors."