BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Residents of Black River-Matheson deserve transparency, and that’s one thing Linda Mercier plans on giving them if she’s elected.
Mercier is one of seven candidates vying to be Matheson’s next mayor in the Aug. 12 byelection.
She’s lived in the municipality since 1988 and is a retired federal public servant.
“I was the director for Service Canada Northeastern Ontario for old age security, Canada Pension and employment insurance,” Mercier said.
“Because I am familiar with government, I know that oftentimes discussions and decisions are not always public. But that doesn't mean you cannot explain to the citizens why decisions are being made,” she said.
Another priority if elected is to recover the township’s reputation, Mercier said.
“I would look at information, do some investigation, provide the citizens the information they need to understand what the situation is, how we got there, and what the plan is to move forward,” she said.
“So, definitely open communication and collaboration with the citizens and the businesses of Matheson.”
Other key priorities would be citizen participation, investigating the condition of infrastructure including the water infrastructure in Holtyre and having councillors working together productively, Mercier said.
One of the main reasons for running was last year’s 34 per cent tax increase.
“I always said that I should get more involved. And so ... the time is now,” she said.
“I believe people should vote for me because I have very strong ethics and values and I represent a big change. I'm not vested in any outside interests in terms of businesses. I believe in people and I believe in participation of the people when we're spending their tax dollars.”
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 Mercier by emailing [email protected].
The other Black River-Matheson mayoral candidates are Dave Dyment, Paul Fortin, Murray Horan, John MacKenzie, Chris Riach and Albert Royer.
