Valley election race approaches finish
Nine incumbents, newcomers challenge for six Nackawic town council seats
The race is on in the Town of Nackawic as nine candidates attempt to earn citizens' votes to fill six town council seats.
On Monday, May 12, residents will cast their ballots and decide who will join the new mayor and lead the town for the next four years.
According to the candidates, the main issues revolve around economic development, recreational activities for the youth and enhancing community involvement.
Pushing through the Nackawic ‘standstill'
Amy Marie Cronkhite
Amy Cronkhite said it's time for the town to progress and move on with the future. She said local residents seem to be divided because of "an argument right now over everything," and it's causing a "standstill."
If elected, she plans to encourage the public "to speak out and deal with the issues rather than ignore them." And, she added, working with council members will provide the much-needed opportunity to fix any and all disputes.
The member of the Parent School Support Committee (PSSC) said attracting new residents may ease another one of her main concerns, which is watching the three local schools head for a "downward slope."
"They're saying in 2014, I think, that we're going to have one school in the area, so I'm hoping that we can get some more businesses in there and move some more young families into town."
The Last Word: "My family is going to stay here. Our kids are probably going to be here. We have four generations of living relatives. Cronkhites were one of the first families in Nackawic, so our ambition is to just make this a community and build our home."
As chairperson of the PSSC, Cronkhite's biggest goal is to promote homework. She is also a litigation paralegal with William Stephenson & Associates. The local resident of 12 years was born in Fredericton and grew up just outside of Nackawic in Temperance Vale.
Aiming to keep this ‘great, little town' going
Douglas B. Brown
Douglas Brown said the previous administration did a "great job," and Nackawic doesn't need a dramatic change. But attracting new businesses and encouraging people to move into town are high on his priority list.
"My wife and I both work outside of Nackawic, but find it is a great place to live because of what's there. There's a lot in the town to offer, and the important thing is to get that word out."
If elected, Brown plans to accomplish his goals by working with fellow councillors. He said keeping taxes as low as possible and being prepared to combat any economic downturns will keep the town viable.
The Last Word: "I would encourage everyone to vote because there are lots of people running. It's very, very important to get out; it doesn't take much time. It means a lot to the town to know where the voices are and to get the right people in there."
Brown is Nackawic's Emergency Measures co-ordinator and a member of the protective services committee. He was born and grew up in Woodstock and has lived in Nackawic since 2002.
Campaigning on ‘honesty and integrity'
Carl Gavel
Carl Gavel is always eager to take on leadership roles. Before he moved to Nackawic, the active community member worked as a volunteer firefighter in Canterbury and quickly became chief.
He also has experience as a councillor and served for the Town of Nackawic from 1995 to 1998. During his time on council, the town hall was rebuilt, a wellness clinic was set up and the town reaped the benefits of a new fire truck and ambulance.
"I have been a resident of Nackawic for 34 years," he added, "and employed in our town during that time. I have years of experience on council and various boards and committees and hope to bring a continuation of the good works with honesty and integrity."
The Last Word: "My goal, if elected for town councillor, will be to continue the work of encouraging business and residential growth, maintaining infrastructure of the town and working to represent all age groups."
Gavel served on the general and executive committees for the New Brunswick Division of the Canadian Bible Society for the past five years. He has been on the Sure Life Assembly board of directors "for most of the time since 1982." He also served on the Canterbury Village Council, and, prior to Canterbury establishing a council, he served on the community improvement committee for several years. Gavel was born in St. Stephen and grew up in Canterbury before moving to Nackawic in 1973.
Seeking to fulfill Nackawic's needs
Brian Allison Grant
Brian Grant is re-offering for his position on council, which he has held for the past year and a half. From campaigning door-to-door, Grant said he discovered the most pressing issue is recreational activities for the youth.
"(Residents) want things for the kids for playground equipment. And they want McNair Park developed, the skateboard park expanded – more things for the children to do. Just lately, there's been quite a few young families moved in and there's a lot more children now."
Grant said he believes the community would also like to see more activities or facilities on the waterfront.
"I hope with council that we can all get our heads together and make these things happen and start seeing some action and get it done."
The Last Word: "We need so many things. We need this town promoted. We need more businesses to move in here. We want to get our population built up. We need decent established programs for our youth. I'd like to get more police presence in town too and develop some of the unused land for residential."
Grant is a member of the Valley Solid Waste Commission, the public works department and also serves on the Mactaquac Chamber of Commerce. He was born in Woodstock, grew up in Canterbury and moved to Nackawic in 1973.
Bringing back the ‘old Nackawic spirit'
Leslie Hawkes
Leslie Hawkes is keeping track of the main issues in town and thinking up ways to tackle them. Besides a need to create more jobs and build on tourism, she said the town's spirit needs to be raised following the closure of the mill.
"Basically, we need to bring back the town spirit we once had years ago," she explained. "And I really feel that Nackawic needs a change, meaning more things to do, bringing young families back to the community and more things for our youth."
If elected, Hawkes said she plans to solve problems by working with council and the community.
Her goals are to have a woodsmen's museum built on the waterfront to honour the town's rich heritage; to work hard to represent citizens' concerns and ideas on council; to provide a team effort with all staff and council members for the betterment of the community; and to have a tourism building erected next to the World's Largest Axe to promote Nackawic to visitors.
When it comes to the tourism aspect, Hawkes is prepared. She is currently taking a tourism course at Woodstock's New Brunswick Community College.
The Last Word: "It's time for a change ... to uplift the spirit; to bring back the old Nackawic spirit."
Hawkes added the most endangered species are dedicated leaders, which she hopes to personally revive through devoting herself to the town and fellow residents. Also, she said, the most satisfying work is helping others. Hawkes was born in Woodstock and raised in Nackawic, which has been her home for the past 30 years.
‘Running for the right reasons'
Karen Howell
Karen Howell is an experienced candidate who served on Nackawic Town Council from 2001 to 2004. Today, she said, a major issue facing the town is economic development.
"I think we need to grow our population by enticing more families and smaller businesses to move to our area. We need to get out there and be a cheerleader for our town."
Many people consider Howell to be a go-getter, and, when residents said they wanted a skateboard park for their children, she took the reigns and a park was developed. In the future she would like to see the park moved near the tennis courts on the waterfront to minimize the noise.
The active community member said residents still believe there is a lack of recreational activities for children.
"I'd like to see McNair Park developed with swings and a splash pad, like the one at Connell Park in Woodstock," she explained. "And, I don't like to make promises because I don't want to break any promises – and you only have four years – but I'd like to look into a youth centre, a place for the kids to hang out."
Howell helped revived Nackawic Community Days in 2001 and, in the future, would like to take the initiative to return the event to a three-day festival on the bend of the St. John River.
If elected, another goal for Howell is to seek council's support in communicating more to the public. Although she is not publicly supporting one mayoral candidate over another, Howell said she agrees with deputy mayor Rowena Simpson's idea of having a public forum where the citizens can voice their concerns and opinions.
The Last Word: "I feel I'm running for the right reasons. I love the town. And, after John (husband) accepted a job with AV Nackawic, we could have lived in Woodstock or Fredericton or outside the community, but there was no question. We just moved right back into the community and got involved, and I think that shows our dedication to the town."
Howell has served on approximately 22 local committees, teams and associations and continues to volunteer her time. She was chosen as one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century. Howell also received the New Brunswick Day Merit Award for Community Leadership in 2004. She was born in Fredericton, grew up in Pokiok and attended all three Nackawic schools.
Providing years of experience
Jacques Laroche
Jacques Laroche has sat at the council table for 16 years and has been involved with almost every council committee.
"My favourite ones are anything to do with development to bring new employers to the town and new residents to the town."
If elected, Laroche said he will take advantage of any development opportunities for Nackawic and also promote teamwork between the community and council. Today, he said, "the main issue is to keep all our services in good health – to keep everything strong."
"And the infrastructure is always important, and also to try to bring Nackawic as it was as far as relationships between people and the town. We went through a very hard time with the mill closure and the restarting of the mill. There is a bit of hardship in town, and ... there is still some of that I would like people to put aside."
Throughout his council career, Laroche has witnessed many accomplishments, and "probably too many to remember." He was involved with opening the local health clinic, the formation of the chamber of commerce and several infrastructure projects.
The Last Word: "With all the committees I've served, and I'm serving at the moment, I strongly believe that I would be a good candidate to keep on council because there are not too many re-offering, and it's important to have the feedback of what took place and how it took place for the new council."
Laroche has been a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association board of directors for 10 years and president for three. He has also been involved with the Injured Workers Advisory Committee for nearly six years. He has served on the Greater Fredericton Economic Development Corporation (GFEDC), and, after the corporation was changed by the provincial government, he became a member of the advisory board for Enterprise Central New Brunswick. Laroche was born and grew up in Trois-Rivieres, Que., and has lived in Nackawic since 1987.
Intending to establish a connected community
Paul G. Legere
For only living in Nackawic for a short time, Paul Legere has shown his dedication to the town by instantly becoming an active community member. He said he is aware of the pressing issues facing the town.
"One of the main issues is economic growth in our community and also another thing is a way of connecting with our residents, for instance, we have no welcome wagon."
If elected, Legere said he will work with council to establish a welcoming committee, which demonstrates to newcomers what services Nackawic has to offer and provides an opportunity to see what services the new residents can offer the town. Legere said, as a councillor, he could develop several ways to get people connected.
"Another way is offering incentives for people to volunteer and give back into the community. Because, at one time, Nackawic had tremendous Community Days and streets would compete against streets in the parade and they really got involved. And after the mill went down everything kind of shutdown, so we need somebody with leadership to get the community back."
The Last Word: "What I hope people focus on with this election is that I'm already working for the community. I immediately got involved with the fire department. I've served on the Pandemic Influenza committee and the Mapping Asset committee, and I've coached minor baseball each summer I've lived here. Working on council is just another way to advance the community. Some people get involved because of issues. My reasoning is because I'm already doing things in the community, and I think I can do a little more by being part of council."
Legere attended Bible college in Fredericton.
He is an instructor with the Canadian Red Cross, a level 2 firefighter and an ordained minister. He has also served as a member of the Carleton Pioneer Credit Union board and was co-chairperson of the marketing committee.
Legere was born in Saint John, grew up in St. George and has lived in Nackawic for nearly three years.
Envisioning positive growth in the future
Peter Seymour
Each of the candidates have pin-pointed economic development as the town's main issue, and Peter Seymour feels the same way.
He said businesses don't necessarily have to set-up shop in Nackawic, but a goal is to attract families to the area.
"We've got available land, we've got relatively cheap prices for houses and I think that's some place to start. Obviously, we're going to try to attract employers, but that might not be the case all of the time where they're looking for larger places. Woodstock is slowly becoming a city. I work in Woodstock and I recognize by talking to people there the price of housing is extremely, extremely wicked. And there's people who are looking for that place where everyone knows your name.
"And I don't know if that can happen anymore in Fredericton or Woodstock.
"I think for a small family looking for a safe place to raise their kids, good schools and for retired people who want to participate in golf and curling, we have all those things in Nackawic and we just have to start asking, ‘Why not Nackawic?'"
Seymour said, if elected, he will communicate the virtues of the town by using his family as an example.
"We've really developed a life there and it's a great place to raise our kids. We're not saying this is a portion of a life – we're saying this is the place we want to retire to. We've been there long enough that I'm considering it home, and I would like to give that opportunity to other young families coming to the area and people who want to retire there."
The Last Word: "I want people to wake up to the fact that Nackawic is an opportunity for almost everyone and sometimes we get stuck in ‘it's a pulp-and-paper town.' It really can't be a pulp-and-paper town anymore; it has to be more diversified than that. I think that we've got to grow the town based around the opportunities we have. I see all sorts of issues in cities and larger towns, and we don't have those in Nackawic. I think it's proven over and over again – it's been a great place to live."
Seymour is an adult learning co-ordinator with the Department of Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour.
He is a part-time faculty member at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and has served on various community organizations, including the Nackawic Curling Club, the Nackawic Golf & Country Club, the Town of Nackawic fire committee and the Kirk United Church.
He is also a volunteer coach and supervisor at Nackawic High School. Seymour was born in Fredericton, grew up in Chatham and moved to Nackawic about 25 years ago.
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