BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - After 25 years of laying down foundations in the construction and mining world, Paul Fortin is now setting his sights on building a new future for Black River-Matheson.
Fortin is one of seven candidates vying to be Black River-Matheson's next mayor in the Aug. 12 byelection.
There are two paramount reasons Fortin — who has lived in the Matheson area for about 20 years — is running.
“The taxes going up as high as they did, well that made it very difficult for a lot of us that are struggling with the pandemic and now this extra blow,” he said.
He also wants to be the voice for the people of Matheson.
“I don't have my tongue in my pocket and it's gotten me in trouble in the mines. I thought this is the best place for me because at least here I can actually voice for the common ones that would love to have somebody speak up for them,” he said.
Fortin said he doesn’t currently have any priorities in mind.
“And the reason why is I haven't spoken to the people. I want to know what their priorities are. Because you see, a mayor is not supposed to be political. He's there as, I don't mean a puppet, some would say that, no, as the people’s voice. I haven't had a chance to ask them. So what their three priorities are will be my three priorities,” he said.
Whether the public wants to vote for Fortin or not is up to them, he said.
“Most of these people know me from here, right. They know what I am. I'm an extremely hard worker, always outgoing and always there to help people. That's my nature. So that'll be their decision,” he said.
“So how can I coerce or move people to do so? No, I don't believe in doing that. It'll be if their heart motivates them to vote for me, then so be it. If not, well, hey, I'm not going to take this personal.”
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’s 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 Fortin by calling 705-570-1777.
The other Black River-Matheson mayoral candidates are Dave Dyment, Murray Horan, John MacKenzie, Linda Mercier, Chris Riach and Albert Royer.
