Where are you from and what is your background?
I live in Centreville. I was born in Berwick and I have lived in 10 various communities within the County. I have been a resident of Kings County all of my life. I was in the Real Estate industry for over 30 years and worked my way up to Manager of two Real Estate companies and Vice President of MacDonald Chisholm Real Estate. For the last 10 years of my real estate career, I was an appraiser for Wetmore & Corkum Appraisals in Kentville. I spent 25 years on the Kentville Town Council and 11 years as Mayor. I also held the position of the President of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM) and served on the National Board of Canadian Federation of Municipalities. While President of UNSM, I sat across the table from the Prime Minister and negotiated infrastructure monies for our area, worked with two Premiers and four Ministers of Transportation to get a new bridge approved in Kentville. Myself and our Council worked with the Minister of Education and the School Board to get a new school built. I collaborated with neighbouring municipalities which resulted in a new library and soccer dome being built in our town. I worked tirelessly with Ducks Unlimited which resulted in Miners Marsh being developed. My Council helped develop Orchard Court, Shannex and after years of delays was successful in seeing Kings Riverside Court constructed. My volunteer experiences have included coaching minor baseball for years, managed minor hockey teams, supported Special Olympics, and the past President of the Kentville J.C.s. While I was the Mayor I was made an honorary Rotarian, and for my efforts with the Lion's Club I was made an honorary Lion's Club member. I also supported the Kinsman's Christmas Miracle for many years. I received the Queen Elizabeth II medal for my municipal contributions.

Why have you chosen to run for office?
I feel Kings County needs a change. I believe there needs to be a more efficient, common-sense and smart growth process in obtaining building permits to encourage the development process. I am passionate to see a positive change in the area. I am also an advocate for holding and reducing taxes and that can only be accomplished through new growth. I am also committed to preserving our existing farmland that is in production. I would like to see a more open-door policy with the Mayor and Council being fiscally and accountable to the taxpayers.

What strengths would you bring to Council if elected?
The strengths that I would bring to Council, if elected, is my vast experience as Mayor and a leadership that is characterized by collaborating for effective community building with other levels of municipal, provincial and federal governments. My related educational training will be an asset to being the Mayor of Kings County which includes successfully completed courses in Committee Management, Parliamentary Procedures, Real Estate Appraisals and Dale Carnegie course.

What do you feel are key issues in this election and how would you address them?
Key issues in this election; people do not want higher taxes, including new taxes ie. deed transfer tax, also Kings County needs to be more of a "can do" county rather than a "can't" county when it comes to developing and building. The impression that Kings County is one of the more difficult areas to build, needs to change. With my background of working on farms as a youth and having managed the Outstanding Young Farmers program for Atlantic Canada in the past, we need to be supportive of our farmers and their existing farmland that is in production. More attention needs to be paid to the road situation; although some of the roads may not be Kings County's responsibility. I feel that the Mayor and Council need to work harder on collaborating with the provincial government to address this issue. I am not afraid to make difficult decisions in regards to what the people of Kings County need.

What is one message you would like to send to voters?
The message that I would like the voters to know is that if elected as your Mayor, I will as I have in the past, maintain an open-door policy to all of the residents of Kings County and that I have real experience and proven ability to act as your Mayor.