Rebecca (Becky) Boulter
Former councillor seeks to be mayor
Former Nackawic councillor is one of two candidates in the town's 2008 mayoral vote, set for Monday, May 12.
The four-decade resident of Nackawic sat on council from 1983 to 1989.
In a recent interview with the Bugle-Observer, Boulter said she decided to run for mayor, and make a return to municipal politics, for many reasons.
The paraprofessional, who has 18 years service with Community and Correctional Services, has also given many years to groups, and causes, in the Nackawic region and the province.
She said she wants to be Nackawic's mayor to give back, yet again, to the community she calls home.
"My main goal, if elected mayor of Nackawic, would be to represent everyone from youth to senior," she said. "I want to achieve this with as open and transparent council as possible. I have the time, the passion, the ability, and the desire to represent (Nackawic) with pride and honour. I have been fortunate to live in Nackawic over 38 years."
Boulter, who has three children, three step-children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, is bilingual.
She attends the Saint Simon and Saint Jude Catholic church, where she currently serves as vice chairperson of the parish council and as vice-president of the Catholic Church Women.
Boulter is a past chairperson of the town's Planning Advisory Committee, as well as past treasurer and council representative on the Continuing Care Committee.
Boulter is also a past board member, trustee, and council representative for the Nackawic Public Library and a past member and co-chairman of Nackawic Community Days.
At the provincial level, Boulter is a past board member of the N.B. Municipal Pension Board; was a poll clerk for the provincial elections; an enumerator for Census Canada in 2000 and 2005, as well as a dedicated volunteer for a number of social and community organizations.
She recently spoke to the Bugle-Observer about the campaign.
What do you think are the main issues in the election race?
After doing door-to-door canvassing, the issue that seems to be the most prevalent are closed-door meetings (of council), unrest within town employees, and our residential by-law. I was involved with this by-law on council when we had to dismiss two very good employees, who were also friends, because as a council we decided to uphold the by-law. It is understandable our citizens don't understand why this issue is not being solved. Also, another issue is that of our town manager, about which I cannot comment, because I am unable to obtain any information.
If elected mayor, what would your main goals be over your four-year mandate?
My main goals over the next four years would be to create change and life in our beautiful town. I want to achieve this with the help of everyone from child to senior, as well as our neighbours outside the town limits, who are our most important assets.
I want to bring new business (to Nackawic) - no matter how small. I feel small businesses are the backbone of our existence.
I want more use of our beautiful waterfront - working directly with our recreation director, Randy Wilson - for both young and old.
One of the first things I want to accomplish is some visual changes - such as Christmas lights - to brighten and liven the town's atmosphere.
If elected mayor, what would you do to improve Nackawic in the short-term?
I would have a more open and transparent council - approachable by young and old. I have lived in Nackawic for over 38 years. It is definitely home. I feel we need to change how we conduct the town's business and invite the community to be part of this change. It is impossible for council to have all the ideas - therefore we need input from youth to seniors.
What would you do to improve Nackawic in the long-term?
We need more businesses to come to town. More tax dollars mean better roads and sidewalks We (also) need more use of the waterfront.
A yearly welcoming party (should) be held every year to welcome new people and businesses to our town.
We also need to make sure more news gets on our town website for people outside of town who don't receive the ‘key'.
We have to work, again, on getting a seniors' complex built in Nackawic. This was my pet project when I was on council before.
We have to find more ways to entertain our youth. We also need more media coverage on our town news.
With conflicts on-going within council, what would you do to keep council focused over the next four years?
A council must work as a team. I will discuss, argue over, and agree or disagree on issues - but after the vote, we must walk out as friends and show a united front. It is very important to have different views on issues, but these differences must be dealt with and resolved before leaving council chambers on any given night or day.
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