BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Albert Royer was shaped by his upbringing in Matheson’s foster homes and is now hoping to repay the township’s kindness by running for council.
Royer is one of seven candidates vying to be Matheson’s next mayor in the Aug. 12 byelection.
“I grew up in this area in foster homes and stuff, so this town has treated me very well and I feel this kind of connection to the town. People didn’t treat me like an outsider,” Royer said.
After growing up in the area, Royer moved to the Yukon to do subcontracting work on the Alaskan Highway and work as a volunteer firefighter. Ultimately, his roots in Matheson were too deep to keep him from returning.
Royer said residents should vote for him because he’s “willing to talk about the things that nobody is talking about, that everybody’s talking about, that municipal leaders should be talking about.”
“With what's going on and where we're going, in good conscience, I needed to step forward. I just feel it's the municipal government’s duty to uphold the principles and values of the people they represent first and foremost.”
If elected, two of Royer’s priorities are keeping taxes low and taking care of the children.
“I also think there's a lot of the issues that aren't being addressed, that need to be addressed on more than just the municipal that people are concerned about,” he said.
“There’s no faking what I am. If you if you like it great. If not, well, there you go. You're not getting someone who's telling you what you want to hear. And that's a lot of what's happened over the years.”
Following the resignation of former Ward 6 Coun. Kim Druer last year, Royer said he applied for the position. However, Steven Campsall was chosen as Druer’s replacement.
Advance voting for the byelection is Aug. 1-11, with election day on Aug. 12.
SEE: Are you on the Matheson voters' list?
RELATED: Here's the official list of who's running for Matheson's byelection
Seven council members will be elected — one councillor in each of the six wards, and the mayor, who is elected at large.
The byelection is required because the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing declared all of the Matheson council seats vacant after council failed to meet quorum at meetings for 60 days. The little-used section of the Municipal Act hasn't been exercised since it took effect in the early 2000s.
Connect with Royer by emailing [email protected].
The other Black River-Matheson mayoral candidates are Dave Dyment, Paul Fortin, Murray Horan, John MacKenzie, Linda Mercier and Chris Riach.
