COCHRANE – From housing development to doctor recruitment, this was a year of trials, tribulations and significant progress for the Town of Cochrane, says its mayor.
As Cochrane closes the book on 2024, Mayor Peter Politis is reflecting on the highs and lows of the year and looking ahead to what 2025 may bring.
“It was our second year in the term and it was an ambitious term, an ambitious agenda,” Politis told TimminsToday.
Politis said that much of the year’s challenges stemmed from the growing pains of enacting change.
“This year has had a lot of trials and tribulations associated with it,” he said.
The lows focus around workforce discontent carried over from the strike the previous year and challenges associated with trying to modernize municipal affairs, Politis said. Efforts to streamline policies and modernize local government encountered resistance, as expected, he said.
Staff turnover in key management positions and local barriers surrounding the town’s physician recruitment strategy also presented hurdles.
“We’re now making Cochrane the destination choice for physicians,” he said.
“But these local barriers are slowing us down from completely turning the doctor crisis around to having a doctor for everyone.”
Adding to the financial strain, the town faced a substantial increase in policing costs, Politis said.
In February, following reports finding that the mayor harassed senior staff members, Cochrane’s integrity commissioner, Harold G. Elston, resigned.
Elston’s reports presented in January found Politis bullied, harassed, and intimidated CAO Monika Malherbe and then-director of community services Jason Boyer. In both investigations, Elston also found that the mayor tried to micromanage town business and events. Politis denies all allegations. His pay was suspended for 90 days.
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In May of this year, Boyer launched a lawsuit against the town for $1.1 million, claiming he was “forced to resign” because of the mayor’s relentless campaign of harassment and bullying.
The highs
Politis highlighted several significant achievements.
“We’ve added key staff and skilled players to the team,” he said.
The town hired a new clerk, a general manager and deputy CAO – which are contract positions – and is hiring a treasurer. They also brought on a strategic and human resource consultant to provide expertise and outside perspective.
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The town also formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to create innovative housing opportunities for low-income residents. Politis said they hope to begin building homes in spring 2025.
In infrastructure, Cochrane adopted a transportation master plan that includes 82 kilometres of new multi-use trails. The town also launched a road paving plan designed to address overdue repairs over the next five to 10 years, Politis said.
The groundwork for the town’s housing development incentive program, including $10 lots, was completed this year and is set to launch in January 2025.
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In healthcare, the Boreal Pulse Healthcare Attraction Team, formed in partnership with Iroquois Falls and Matheson, achieved early success. Dr. Mona Mohamed toured Cochrane in March and joined the Cochrane Family Health Team by October.
“The reality is that, all in all, I think, amidst all those trials and tribulations, in 2024 Cochrane has produced some very encouraging results in progressive advancements,” Politis said.
Looking ahead to 2025
Politis is optimistic about the year ahead, calling 2025 a year of realization.
“Housing development, doctor recruitment, and road repairs will start to take shape,” he said.
“I’m hoping when we have this conversation this time next year, there'll be a lot of really good projects and initiatives that come out of all this hard work we’ve done in 2024.”
