Municipal election field taking shape in Mississippi Mills
Posted Jul 15, 2010 By Tara Gesner
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Tweet ThisEMC News - In Mississippi Mills, candidate names are trickling in for the upcoming municipal election.
Bernard Cameron filed his nomination papers Friday, July 9 for Almonte ward councillor.
"I have been thinking of running for several years," he told the EMC.
Cameron believes he can make a positive difference in the community.
"I have an understanding of our past, our present and our future needs, and the abilities to bring these ideas to fruition, developed through 33 years as an educator and community volunteer," he said.
After marrying Catherine Dunn, the daughter of Almonte and Ramsay historian and author, John Dunn and his wife (Marie) in 1972, Cameron started teaching in southern Ontario.
"We never lost touch with our roots and spent holidays and summers 'back home' in Almonte," he said. "Twenty years later, we moved back to Almonte with our family of four children to be closer to parents and families."
After a 13-year run, Cameron retired from Almonte District High School.
A self-described volunteer within the community, he has served on the Heritage Committee and spent 15 years with the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum - five as president.
"It is my past and present that drive me to help foster, promote and create the future of Mississippi Mills," he said.
At this time, there are three areas he would like to address as a town councillor: accountability, balance and community.
"At all times, councillors must be accountable to the taxpayers in all areas of expenditure," Cameron said. "Full disclosure must be the benchmark of all actions."
Balance is a huge issue, as "we must work with so many diverse viewpoints."
"Care for the aging, support and security for growing families, recreation for the youth, rural and urban issues, heritage and development are key issues that need a balanced and progressive examination," he explained.
In regards to community, Cameron noted it's important to embrace the town as a community - with unique identities within it.
"The 'push-and-pull' relationship between the wards is counter-productive to positive long-term growth," he said.
O'Brien
Christopher O'Brien filed his nomination papers Friday for Almonte ward councillor.
He ran in the 2006 election - finishing sixth - behind councillor Alex Gillis.
"I am running again to fulfill a promise I made on election night four years ago," O'Brien said. "I think I could contribute, with a thoughtful, respectful and open attitude at the council table," and "since selling The Miller's Tale, I need a part-time job, as I am going back to school."
O'Brien moved to Almonte in 1997, opening the bookstore on Mill Street - now called Mill Street Books.
"I am proud the bookstore has been transitioned from my ownership to that of the Lumsdens, continuing an important aspect of retail and culture in Mississippi Mills," he stated.
O'Brien is applying for a place in the Master of Arts in Counselling and Spirituality program at St. Paul's University (Faculty of Human Sciences).
"Wouldn't it be cool, in four years time, to be a counsellor councillor?" he jokingly asked.
The self-described "guy with ideas" has been a member of the Folkus Committee, MAAP (Mainstreets Association of Almonte and Pakenham) and CEDC (Community Economic Development Committee).
If elected Almonte ward councillor, O'Brien hopes to promote "a more transparent approach to government."
"With all our technologies, we should open the doors to the process - shine some light on it," he explained. "Votes should be recorded. Why not web cast council meetings?"
Furthermore, he would like to see the town "embrace and extol" the sense of community - having school's and churches work together.
"I see council as a board of directors, blue skying and overseeing," O'Brien added. "As taxpayers, we pay municipal staff good money... let's let them do their jobs. Council should be about broad strokes and not micro-management."
Municipal offices for which persons may be nominated are:
- Mayor (one position)
- Councillor:
- Almonte Ward (four positions)
- Pakenham Ward (two positions)
- Ramsay Ward (four positions)
To qualify as a candidate, a person must be: a resident of the municipality they are running in, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of a non-resident owner or tenant.
The election is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 25. Nominations will be accepted at the Town of Mississippi Mills municipal office during regular office hours until 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10.
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