BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Dave Dyment is hoping to bring positivity to the mayor’s seat and the community.
Dyment is one of seven candidates vying to be Black River-Matheson’s next mayor in the Aug. 12 byelection.
“Just seeing the negativity in the town, whether it be against former council, whether it be poor decisions, whether it be on social media … No matter what anybody does, it always turns negative,” Dyment said.
“If I can take this town and make one positive move, then one positive move will result in one positive comment, which results in another one, and another one. And that's that's how you make a community.”
Born and raised in the north, Dyment moved to Matheson 13 years ago. He works at Agnico Eagle Mines as an underground miner and owns and operates a construction company.
“Volunteering is close to my heart. I’ve been a local fireman for 11 years,” he said
Dyment was appointed to council in the 2018-2022 term and won a seat in the 2022 election. He is one of the three councillors who boycotted council meetings to force the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to step in and call a byelection earlier this year.
If elected, Dyment said his priorities include reviewing staffing requirements, transparency and openness and to create a positive environment to work, live and play in.
Dyment said people should vote for him because through his previous experience on council, he knows to ask the hard questions.
“I’m not afraid to ask the hard questions. I will say no if it’s not in the best interest of our community. This is our town. This is our money,” he said.
“It's going to be a terrible ride for a couple of years, but in the end, I think it's worth it. I’m in it for the long haul. That was always my motto, rest at the end, not in the middle.”
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.
Connect with Dyment by calling 705-465-3850 or emailing [email protected].
“I’m available by text, messenger, email or telephone, or by stopping me on the street. I’ll even come meet you for a coffee or a bowl of soup,” Dyment said.
The other Black River-Matheson mayoral candidates are Paul Fortin, Murray Horan, John MacKenzie, Linda Mercier, Chris Riach and Albert Royer.
