With the municipal election coming up in November, and news that there will be a changing of the guard at least as far as the role of mayor goes, Fort Frances town council also may see a number of new faces after citizens head to the polls.
One councillor whose name definitely won’t be on the ballot is Coun. Dave Bourgeault, who’s finishing up his second-straight term.
“I still haven’t changed my mind,” he said yesterday, referring to the fact he made it something of a New Year’s resolution not to run again.
“There’s been a lot of pressure for me to keep going [on council], but no, I won’t do it,” Coun. Bourgeault added. “There’s a fair amount of stress with the job, and with my heart attack, I don’t think it’s wise.
“The doctor even said [being a councillor] had at least partly to do with my heart attack.”
Coun. Bourgeault said he’s enjoyed his time as a councillor, despite the fact the public may not be pleased with every decision that’s been made in the past six years—citing the River Walk condominium as a project in which he’s always felt the town should never had invested.
“I was elected, and the people had faith in me. I think I did a good job,” he remarked. “But who knows who will be on council after the election. It could be very interesting.”
“I haven’t decided one way or the other,” said Coun. Roy Avis, who also has served two-straight terms. “But I will make up my mind in the next couple weeks.”
“I think the biggest issue facing the upcoming council is the budget,” Coun. Avis added. “I see that, and I think I might want to part of it all.”
On the other hand, Coun. Struchan Gilson confirmed he would take a stab at another term after his first two.
“I find it intellectually challenging,” he noted. “I find it interesting how a small town council works, the politics of it all.
“For instance, there’s the smoking debate. Everybody agrees with me on it [that smoking in enclosed public areas should be banned], but here we are, nothing has changed—no bylaw.
“And the thing is, we all know it’s not even going to be an issue in 10 years,” Coun. Gilson added.
“It keeps me going. It’s certainly different than being a teacher,” he enthused. “And I’m just enjoying it all.”
Likewise, Coun. Neil Kabel, who is finishing up his third non-consecutive term as councillor, said he’s definitely going to run again.
“I discussed it with my wife [Doreen] after last Monday’s meeting, and yes, we both feel good about staying for another term, God willing,” he noted.
“It’s an interesting job. It’s a public service—I want to do what’s best for the ratepayers—and I have the time to do it. I enjoy it,” added Coun. Kabel.
While Coun. Deane Cunningham hinted two weeks ago that he might run for mayor again (he had served as mayor from 1981-85), he said yesterday he had no comment to make on the matter.
Coun. Sharon Tibbs previously said she definitely would be interested in running for council this November, but would not confirm the rumour she may run for mayor.
As reported in the July 22 edition of the Times, only Dan Onichuk has declared he would run to succeed Mayor Glenn Witherspoon in November.
Other names out there, including Tannis Drysdale, president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, still had not confirmed their position as of yesterday.
Mayor Witherspoon announced July 20 that he won’t be seeking a fifth term.
The deadline to file a nomination for the position of mayor or councillor for November’s municipal election is Friday, Sept. 26 at the Civic Centre.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
