Where are you from and what is your background?
I am a lifelong resident of Kings County. I grew up in Aylesford and am a graduate of West Kings High School. After I got married, I built a house in Morden and have lived there since. I am retired from a thirty-six year career as a Red Seal carpenter at 14 Wing Greenwood. Both during my working career and in my retirement, I have remained actively involved in various community organizations and activities. I served for twenty-five years as a Municipal Councillor in Kings County. I now enjoy retirement as a grandfather and a community volunteer. I have fifty plus years of service and am still active as a volunteer fire fighter with the Aylesford & District Fire Department, and have also served for more than twenty-five years with both the Western Valley Shrine Club and the Order of Masons.
Why have you chosen to run for office?
I decided to re-offer for a municipal councillor position as I feel with my twenty-five years of council experience I have a good deal to offer to help our municipal government effect positive change. Our municipal government must work to ensure that all members of our local communities have the opportunity to maintain or improve their quality of life living and working in a safe environment. I want to help keep building a Kings County that has effective and transparent government; quality and effective policing; with a budget based on needs, not wants. Our tax system must be open for review. Our government must be a strong voice for agriculture, fishing, forestry and small businesses. Agriculture is our inherent strength in the county and our municipal government must not only strive to protect our farmers and farmland but be an active partner to ensure that our food producing potential is realized. Our government must work hard to eliminate red tape for development. In effect, our municipal government must show that it is open for business.
What strengths would you bring to Council if elected?
I would bring a wealth of experience and a thorough understanding of the workings of a municipal government due to my previous twenty-five years of service as a municipal councillor. I also bring the knowledge of the workings of many boards, having served formerly as the Past Chairman of the Grand View Manor; a board member of Kings Transit; and a board member of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library. I currently serve as a member of the Ecology Action Centre of Nova Scotia; the Sierra Club of Canada; and the Canadian Taxpayers Association. With any task I undertake, I have a track record of getting the job done efficiently and effectively.
What do you feel are key issues in this election and how would you address them?
A key issue is that our taxes must remain affordable. We do not need any new taxes. As with our budget, our taxes must be based on needs, not wants. This can only be addressed by clear direction from our municipal government. In recent years our strong tax base has encouraged both residential and commercial development in the county, and we must work to retain this as we deal with an economy currently fighting the threat of inflation.
What is one message you would like to send to voters?
I am a proven performer who is approachable, accountable, community-focused, and trustworthy; who will listen diligently to your concerns and be your voice at council; and who is capable of committing 100% of my time working for Kings County as a Councillor.