The town of Churchbridge has a 3 way Mayor race going on this election year, Jim Galant has once again stepped up to run as Mayor as well as Bill Johnston and Kat King. To help the residents of Churchbridge get to know the Mayor Candidates they were asked the following questions:
Who are you, what is your Occupation, how long have you resided in your community? Why did you choose to run for Mayor? Why do you feel you are the best person to be Mayor? What do you wish to see happen in your 4-year term as Mayor?
Jim Galant has sat on the town council for a total of 14 years and during that time he has been involved with such projects as the Introduction of commissionaires as a bylaw officer in partnership with other Municipalities, updated mutual aid agreements, strategic plan development and upgrade twice, crisis management during the 2001 snowstorm and 2014 flood among with a number of other projects.
“I am Jim Gallant and I have lived in Churchbridge for 38 years.
I am a retired electrician.”Galant proudly claims.
When asked why Galant wanted to run for mayor again he explained, “I am running again for the mayor to lead a new team on the future of the town and to continue mentoring new administration.
I feel I am the best person to represent the town of Churchbridge locally, regionally and working with the province to prompt our town and keep the town growing in the future and to be a safe affordable place to live and work..”
Kat King has been a town resident for 10 years and a constant observer of the town council for several years now. King's practical experience as a licensed Security Officer, as well as working in the Commercial art and cooking industry.
“October 18, 2020 – In reply to a request from the Four-Town Journal for a contribution to an article on ‘Mayor Candidates’, on the question of occupation, I submit: How my background studies and training in construction, retail and service industry-oriented careers (being the major ones) where my skill base and understanding of how things worked and what is needed to make things work, will aid in the performance of my duties as Mayor here in Churchbridge. Construction: land use and basic service requirements, knowledge as a contractor and subcontractor, both residential and commercial. Retail: organization, business procedures and money/ funds management. Service industry: Licensed Security Officer, honed my broad base understanding of legalese, psychology and people skills.
On the question of what would I like to see happen in my 4-year term as Mayor, I submit the completion of the R.O. System and any necessary upgrade to the Water and Sewer System that results in its operation. Prioritize drainage, culverts and needed ditches for proper surface water control. Seeing changes in how Snow Removal is done including clearing the ‘road to driveway’ edge for easy exit from driveways. I’ll stop here... and say Being retired from the workaday world... I can now turn my attention and skills to the needs of this community.”
Bill Johnston, has been a resident of Churchbridge for 40 years and is now semi-retired working in his printing business part-time. Why am I running now? "A promise made is a promise kept." For nearly 40 years, whenever municipal elections rolled around, I would encourage others to get involved in their respective communities by allowing their name to stand for election to their local council. During that time I was occasionally asked if I was going to run myself, but in response, I always pointed out that reporting on something I’m directly involved in could raise concerns about objective reporting, so I believed it was best not to run. However every time I explained that position, I added that when I did finally retire from the newspaper business I would seriously consider putting my name forward. I retired last fall, and here I am. A promise made is a promise kept. My concerns? Issues I would like to see Churchbridge council consider are the “Three S’s” -- seniors, streets, and serviced residential lots. Seniors -- Our community has many seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes. They are amongst those impacted hardest by increases to their utility bills and/or property taxes. I would like to see the council look for ways to lessen the financial stresses on our seniors, many of whom have lived in Churchbridge a good part of their lives. Streets -- Nothing provides a faster and lasting image of a community to visitors than the condition of its streets. I would like to see the council carry out an inventory of Churchbridge’s streets as a first step to developing a multi-year plan for repairing, repaving or replacing them as needed.
Serviced Residential Lots -- We want to see Churchbridge continue growing but the town is at a critical point, with very few remaining serviced residential lots available. If we want to draw new residents, including young families, to our town we need to be able to provide them with the kind of serviced residential lots on which they would want to build or place a new $150,000, $200,000, etc. home for their family as has been the case, most recently, on Basken Street and Cedar Crescent. Admittedly, the big challenge will be to somehow tackle the last two projects (streets and serviced residential lots), both of which come with hefty price tags, while taking into consideration the first concern, our seniors and our existing ratepayers. What would I bring to the job? Having run my own successful local business for 38 years I believe I have developed a business-like approach to spending, based on three important questions: Is something really necessary? Can the town afford it? And where's the money for it going to come from? I have been attending Churchbridge Town Council meetings for well over 30 years. However, what I would strongly urge voters to consider, not just for the Mayor’s position, but for all seats at the council table, is how involved has a candidate been in the town in the past? A candidate who has been active through the years as a volunteer and has supported local groups and projects has already shown and proven a commitment to the community and is worthy of consideration for your vote. In my case that includes: Being part of the group which helped turn a wing of the former Churchbridge Elementary School into the Churchbridge Cultural Centre which, in turn, has grown to become the Churchbridge Daycare Co-operative. Being a member of the fundraising group which helped raised over $900,000 to help build the Churchbridge Aquatic Centre. A lay service leader at Christ Church Anglican.
A long-time active member of the Churchbridge Business Association. A Lions Club member for over 40 years, supporting many local groups and projects during that time. Part of the organizing groups for past special events in Churchbridge including the town’s most recent celebrations of Canada’s 150th Anniversary in 2017.
My wife Lynda and I were very proud to have been among the Community Volunteers of the Year recognized by the Churchbridge Recreation Board in 2011. But I am most proud of having raised our two daughters and now our three grandchildren in this great town we’ve called home for nearly 40 years. Each Candidate submitted their replies to the question for the consideration of the Mayor by the residents of Churchbridge.
