Brenda Chisholm-Beaton 9/3/24 Brenda Chisholm-Beaton 9/3/24

We Are a Team.

It is September 3rd – many of us are getting ready for school, university, and getting back to the daily grind as the last days of summer come to a close.

Perhaps the upcoming Municipal Election hasn’t consumed much of your thoughts, and that is ok. I just wanted to take a moment to share my ideas and get your feedback.

Municipal Elections are the “grand report cards” for the work your Council has done over the past 4 years, and rightly so! When re-offering candidates come to your door, hold us accountable for the things you don’t like, tell us the things you do like, and share your thoughts about the future.

For new candidates, it’s a perfect opportunity to ask about their ideas and priorities if elected, and their thoughts about the future of the town.

Here are my thoughts.

Our region is on the verge of an economic boom in the green energy sector. To ensure Port Hawkesbury can fully benefit, we have so much to do!

We need to increase our efforts on our housing file to attract private developers to house a growing workforce, seniors, families, students and more. We need to work with partners for non-profit affordable housing developments to ensure everyone has a place to call home, no matter their income levels.

We need to increase our efforts on our economic development file, to ensure we are working with our partners to support existing businesses, and to attract new businesses to our Town, including further development of our business parks.

We need to increase our efforts on growing the Town’s revenues to re-invest in critical infrastructure like roads and sidewalks and to prepare for, and enable, business and population growth.

New housing and new businesses, plus other innovative revenue generating strategies are how we grow our revenues to re-invest in our Town’s future. I know many residents continue to struggle post-covid and increasing our tax rate is NOT the answer.

It is a HUGE decision to pick 5 people that will champion the Town’s future for the next 4 years! I know that you will give it a lot of consideration. Which candidates will have the knowledge, experience, and skills needed to continue the Town’s progress? I hope our residents will have their questions ready, because we need a forward-thinking council with capacity, with optimism, with drive, and with a collaborative mindset. There is no “I” in team!

Finally, I am so thrilled to see so many people stepping up to run in this election! It is no small thing to put your name forward for public service. Having a range of choice for mayor and council is a positive thing! I sincerely hope that candidates and voters alike have many positive and constructive conversations during this election, and that everyone feels heard, respected, and valued for their time. At the end of the day, we ALL want to see good things happen for OUR TOWN - so with that said - TOGETHER we are “TEAM Port Hawkesbury” - no matter who you plan to vote for.

So I will leave you with this question: what opportunities and issues are the most important for you this election?

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton 8/26/24 Brenda Chisholm-Beaton 8/26/24

Our Health is Everything

Our Health is Everything!

My mother Sandra lost a long battle with congestive heart failure and diabetes. She used to say, “when you don’t have your health you have nothing!” Covid reminded us of that fact when everyone’s health was at risk. Covid also highlighted the many issues with our health care system, especially with access and workforce shortages.

The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health care services. The federal government is responsible for setting and administering national standards for health care via the Canada Health Act. Municipalities typically do not work in the area of health care; however, we know firsthand how important access to healthcare is to healthy thriving communities.

This is why the Town of Port Hawkesbury has partnered with the Municipality of the County of Richmond, along with other health care partners, to create, “Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health.” Over the past four years, we have worked together to take a regional approach, building on the strengths of our local communities and providing a more collaborative environment to retain and attract physicians and other health care professionals.

Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health (CBSRH) aims to recruit the medical health care professionals our region needs to help improve health outcomes for residents in our communities. We also focus on retention activities to demonstrate our support and appreciation for our regional health care teams, and promotional work to encourage our students to pursue health care careers.

With the help of community volunteers, local businesses, chamber of commerce, and other community partners, we can mobilize in a very grassroots and hands-on way to show interested health care professionals a true picture of our community. We know our communities best, so it is important to have a seat at the table, so we can work with other levels of government to help steer our healthcare futures in a positive direction.

In the past four years, Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health has worked with partners to secure 4 new full-time physicians, 2 new regular locum physicians, more than 30 new full-time nurses, more than 20 new internationally educated healthcare professionals, 3 new full-time nursing practitioner positions and a diverse array of tools to promote our region, including videos, website, social media, and other electronic/paper promotional materials. We’ve had opportunities to connect with prospective and current health care students (some from our communities) and make hundreds of connections that we hope will lead to continued interest in practicing here.

I am always excited to help with promoting our community. Our most recent physician retreat occurred this weekend. In addition to visiting regional healthcare sites, it began with a fun social evening in St.Peters; the following day, a luncheon and hike led by Larry and Sherrill MacKeigan through our beautiful trail system in Port Hawkesbury, ending with a sailing adventure in Richmond.

These retreats are wonderful chances to promote our region for both quality of life, quality of practice opportunities, and as a safe and wonderful place to work and raise families. We talked about school, daycares, career opportunities for their partners, sports and recreation, culture and community, and much more. It was a wonderful weekend, connecting in such a personal way with potential future physicians in our region.

So, when it comes to Municipal work, we are coloring outside the lines a little. I hope our communities support our investment and the outcomes to date. I want to thank our CBSRH director Gina MacDonald, our CBSRH chairperson Juanita Mombourquette, as well as the entire CBSRH executive board and our community and provincial partners.

Guest User 8/19/24 Guest User 8/19/24

Everybody Has a Story (updated)

If you want to know me..... truly know me - you need to know how my story began.

At the start of my grade 12 year at SAERC, I discovered I was going to be a mother. At that time, I did not have the support to stay in school (the guidance councilor at that time urged me leave and to apply to CRVS instead of graduating). My mother told me not to listen to this advice because my marks were excellent, and not to give up on my goals to pursue a University education, despite the new demands of raising an infant.

I returned to successfully graduate the following year as a young single parent. I moved to Sydney to complete my first year at the University College of Cape Breton (now CBU) and then transferred to Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, where I graduated with a double major in Sociology and Anthropology and a minor in Political Science and Women's Studies. My daughter Candice was at my side every step of the way, and she grew up to see that a mother can be strong, determined, educated, and independent.

I know adversity. I also know what it takes to overcome it.

I am proud that I funded my own education as a single parent by working nights, studying diligently with every spare second during the day, and all the while - raising an amazing and incredibly talented daughter who makes me proud each and every day.

The stuff I am made of is a combination of my kind, considerate, hard-working and incredibly resourceful father, Archie, and my feisty, determined, stubborn, and incredibly intelligent mother, Sandra. I also have my own unique set of traits that have demonstrated that I can accomplish what I set out to achieve.

Today I have a successful business that I opened in partnership with my father more than 17 years ago. I have a supportive husband and two more incredible children who make me so proud. I have also completed a Masters degree in Anthropology (with a specialty in Community Economic Development) during the early years of the Fleur-de-Lis.

I have dedicated the last 12 years to the Town of Port Hawkesbury; first as Deputy Mayor/Councillor, and now serving a second term as your Mayor. I absolutely love representing our Town and seeing it grow, and as always, working everyday with council staff and community partners for a better future for us all.

I keep this “single mom” photo and - look at it from time to time - to remind myself how far I've come.

It was taken the summer I graduated from MSVU. That same summer, my mother met that former guidance councilor walking along the sidewalk, and she was quick to brag (as some mothers are bound to do) about her daughter who was graduating from University. He noted that was "wonderful" and then proceeded to ask "what ever happened to the daughter with the kid..."?

For those of you who knew my mother (god rest her spicy Acadian soul), I'll leave the results of that question to linger in your imaginations...

Almost 31 years ago to the day, I left Port Hawkesbury in the heat of August, with baby Candice on my hip, determined to make a life for her and I. As life would have it, I was destined to return to be a part of the very Town I grew up in.

It is incredibly fulfilling to be able to do important work that allows me to practice all the skills I've learned in University, combined with my business experience and a strong ambition to improve our Town today and tomorrow.

Starting shortly after Labour Day, and in the weeks leading up to election day on October 19th, I hope to speak to as many citizens as possible. I want to hear your ideas, concerns, and thoughts on the two terms I have served as Mayor, and what we might achieve together in 2024-2028.

If you re-elect me, my promise to you is that I will continue to be a leader who works hard on behalf of our Town, a leader who is determined to overcome our Town's obstacles, and a leader who seeks out and seizes opportunities to benefit our Town and it's citizens.

The next chapter of my story, dear citizens of the Town of Port Hawkesbury, is very much up to you. On October 19th, the day of our Municipal elections, you get to decide what is next.

Guest User 8/18/24 Guest User 8/18/24

Mayoral Balance

Archie, my father, continually encouraged me to run for Council the summer of 2012 until I came to the same conclusion: my education in Community Economic Development, business experience, community involvement, optimism and energy could benefit the Town. I ran that Fall and became the Town’s new Deputy Mayor.

I loved the work so much that in 2016, I decided to put my name forward as Mayor.

Being your mayor these past 8 years and playing a role in growing our Town through hard work, detailed analysis, prioritization and collaboration with council, Town staff, and community partners has been such a rewarding experience, and it also has been a huge lesson in life/work balance.

In 2016, when I was acclaimed as Mayor, I felt an immense amount of pressure to prove myself, especially when hearing comments like, “Nobody voted for her,” “She only has the job because nobody wanted it,” and “She is not ready and not qualified.” In response, I tried to do everything, be everything to everyone, be available to everyone no matter the time of day, or day of the week.

I poured myself into the Mayor’s role; and, as I filled up that bucket, my other buckets were slowly running dry.

Don’t get me wrong… All that time and effort translated into a lot of learning, a lot of important connections at the local, provincial, and federal levels, and a lot of collaborative work that helped prepare the Town for growth.

But it wasn’t healthy, and it wasn’t sustainable.

When I was elected to my second term as your Mayor, Covid was in full swing – the ultimate blindside of our lifetimes!

No one escaped unscathed: its fingerprints left physical, emotional, and financial bruises on us all. For many, these impacts are still felt, as the world continues to try to right itself into a new sense of normal.

Covid was also a massive wake-up call that shifted the fabric of our lives. Some people transitioned to working from home. Travel slowed as people connected virtually. We saw a reverse trend as families moved away from urban centers to smaller communities. Health, quality of life and family became a much larger focus for many.

In 2020, I was so grateful to be chosen by you to serve and lead during such uncertain times. Like many, I thought a lot about my health, quality of life and my family. It was apparent to me that I needed to find a better life balance as your Mayor, as a business owner, as a community volunteer, and especially, as a mother.

I made more time for my family, my business, my friends. I spent as many weekends as I could being that loud cheering hockey mom. I invited friends to catch up while exploring new parts of our nature trails. I pitched in more with my Fleur-de-Lis family.

I also gave my fellow council members more opportunities to lead when I was away on town business, had conflicts, or was unwell.

Getting to a better balance isn’t something you find – its something you consciously choose. Its an exercise in prioritizing the way you work, the way you live, and how you manage and use your time.

Some of you may have noticed I spend less time on social media, and that I attend less community events than in my first term. This doesn’t mean I have stopped working diligently as your mayor. I continue to work everyday as your mayor. I continue to advocate, meet with Stakeholders, meet with community members, meet with Town Staff, meet with Provincial and Federal officials, meet with committee organizations and talk with residents both in person, and via phone, social media, email and text.

My work as your mayor over the past 8 years is available to you in just a few clicks on our Town website. https://townofporthawkesbury.ca/.../municipal-meeting.../ I submit written committee-of-the-whole reports that outlines my meetings, my activities, and my projects so that Council, Town staff, and citizens have ready and easy access to everything I do. This is my commitment to transparency and accountability.

If elected for a 3rd term, I will continue to strive for balance in my life so I can keep my batteries charged and ready to do the work that is important to you. Further, I promise to work to the best of my ability with the council you elect, with Town staff, and with all community partners.

Lastly, I promise to continue to lead with that same energy and that same optimist, open-minded and collaborative spirit that inspired my dad 12 years ago when he saw my leadership potential to serve our hometown.

Thank you for your confidence over the past 12 years! It has been such an incredible and rewarding learning experience!

Thank you also to my mentors and colleagues whose support have very much shaped the leader you see today.

Let’s continue to work together for a stronger Port Hawkesbury! I ask for your support on October 19th, 2024.

Guest User 10/15/20 Guest User 10/15/20

The Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport: The Sky is the Limit when we Collaborate.

One thing we do really well in Cape Breton and the Strait Region - Is we know how to come together in times of Crisis.

This rang true when a proposal to build a “$18 Million” publicly funded airport by Cabot Links owners was submitted to the Province of Nova Scotia and the Federal Government of Canada.

In June of 2019, we discovered there was a private application made to the Provincial and Federal Governments for a publicly funded seasonal airport to be built on behalf of Cabot Links owners. The Municipalities in Eastern Nova Scotia and other Regional/Provincial Stakeholders mobilized out of concern. We all wanted to ensure the interests of our “year-round regional airport” were being fully considered. Were the proposal to proceed, our present service provider, Celtic Air Services, would have lost 80% of jet traffic when golfing clients would be diverted to another airport located one hour’s drive away, and gone bankrupt. Then, municipalities and other air access stakeholders would have been left with no service provider, and eventually, a costly “stranded asset.” On July 25, 2019, the Cabot Links proposal to build an airport in Inverness was cancelled by Federal Minister Bernadette Jordan.

This outcome was the result of lobbying, letters of support, meetings, social media pleas, petitions, and old-fashioned public pressure. Many joined this fight: the Allan J MacEachen Airport Committee (with elected officials from Inverness, Richmond and the Town), local Chambers of Commerce, respected Eskasoni Elder Albert Marshall, Strait of Canso Superport Corporation, the Tax Payers Federation of Canada, the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, the Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia Association, the large majority of Municipalities in Eastern Nova Scotia, as well as a multitude of citizens who signed petitions and were active in writing letters to the editor and social media posts. Without this massive mobilization effort - we’d not have been able to save our Regional airport or the local business that manages it. (NOTE: Inverness County Council remained neutral on the subject, and no motions were made to support/reject the Cabot Links Airport Proposal). See the letters of support on the Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport Website.

The spirit of regional collaboration continues. New ownership models for this air asset is under consideration. It is recognized that the current ownership model does not reflect the regional function of this airport. It is in the best interest of all municipalities and airport stakeholders to continue to fight for the best interests of the Allan J MacEachen Regional Airport, as it is an important transportation asset that is part of our Transportation Hub of Port, Road, Rail, and Air. To lose our regional air asset would greatly disadvantage our economic future.

Guest User 10/14/20 Guest User 10/14/20

Our Town’s Future.

As Municipal leaders, we are the closest to the everyday lives of the people we serve. These elected positions are on lend - and our citizens trust us to do our very best to both manage and grow our communities, with the anticipation that we will also work collaboratively with our neighboring communities to grow our regions and our Province together.

There is a Municipal election this October 17th that will determine the direction of our Town’s future.

It is time for our citizens to reflect and decide which leaders are demonstrating the kind of work ethic, mindset, optimism, success, management, communication, and values you would like to have represent and grow your communities for the next four years (2020-2024). This will also be the time to consider new potential leaders as well.

I am thoroughly optimistic about the future of our Town, and also the future of our region. Working with the citizens of Port Hawkesbury and our Town staff and Town leadership - as well as the leaders of the Strait, Cape Breton-Unama'ki, and across our great Province - has been both exciting and rewarding.

A lot has been accomplished yet there is still so much more work to do.

The best part of being your mayor is seeing our community come together.

I thank all of our citizens who have rolled up their sleeves to help make Port Hawkesbury thrive and grow. Seeing the phenomenal community pride in our Town, the incredible volunteerism, and the resilience of our citizens has been inspiring. Seeing our community help one another despite the hardship of Covid 19 has warmed my heart.

I am so PROUD of our Town and it’s people! Our citizens are our most valuable resource. I hope I have been, and will always be a mayor for the people.

If the citizens of Port Hawkesbury decide to entrust me with another term as your Mayor, I will continue to work hard with our Council, with our regional partners and with our Province. I promise to demonstrate the same level of energy, open-communication, optimism and dedication.

Throughout the past four years - particularly over the last three months - I have spoken with many citizens about the exciting future of Port Hawkesbury and I’ve listened to your ideas and concerns and discussed our Town’s present and future projects. I’ve shared my ideas to grow our town and I’ve taken notes about your ideas and concerns.

I also want you all to know my door is, and has always been open to all Town citizens interested in learning more about municipal government and Town Council. Please reach out to me if you’d like me to visit in the final days leading up to the election if I missed you at the door.

And lastly, I want citizens to know that I will always advocate for growth and positive change.

In order to grow our community, as well as all of the communities across our region and province - we need to elect leaders who will be change agents and long-distance thinkers. Yes, we all need to make decisions today for tomorrow, however we also need to be thinking about 10 and 20 years down the road. If we are not thinking about our long-term future, then we are just managing or maintaining the status quo.

The most impactful leaders plant seeds for trees that grow strong and tall and cast shade that she/he may never feel on their own faces. I ask for your support so we can build a strong and resilient Town - a community that we can all be proud of today and tomorrow, and also a town that is full of potential and possibility for our children and grandchildren and successive generations.

It would be an absolute honor to serve as your Mayor for 2020-2024. This October, I ask for your support.

Guest User 10/11/20 Guest User 10/11/20

A Place to Call Home

Presently, HOUSING is a challenge to find in Port Hawkesbury. We have a shortage of available housing for seniors, families, students, professionals, and differently abled citizens. Affordable and public housing is in extremely low supply and accessible housing is non-existent.

We must seize the opportunity to bridge this housing gap. We must continue to bring all stakeholders together to find solutions.

I have met with New Dawn Enterprises. This is a community enterprise corporation that is active in creating and managing housing in CBRM. They would like to expand their work island-wide. I met with them about potential housing projects for our Town. I plan to continue these conversations.

I have also spoken to developers about the potential for housing as well. Some developers are in the process of working on housing options while other developers are in the process of renovations. I hope we can continue to advocate housing opportunities and attract many more developers to invest in our Town.

Port Hawkesbury is an amazing Town to invest in Senior’s Housing!

I have been contacted by seniors living in our Town and surrounding counties - asking about housing options in Port Hawkesbury. I am confident that any senior housing developments in our town would have immediate occupancy!

While campaigning, I have heard at the doors that senior home owners want to stay in Port Hawkesbury. They would require accessible turn-key options before they sell their homes. Again, this is a huge opportunity for investors; we must keep them engaged and interested.

Safe and Affordable Housing for families is in shockingly low supply!

I have spoken to many citizens who rent houses, apartments and rooms in our Town. I was told there is little or nothing available, only waiting lists. As Mayor, I get calls weekly asking for assistance.

This is a clear sign we need more housing - and a huge opportunity for developers.

Accessible housing is another opportunity for developers. We continue to make our outdoor and indoor public spaces more accessible in advance of our mandate for 2030. We must consider the need for accessible housing in our Town. Accessibility means that citizens who are differently abled can live safely and comfortably, such as wheelchair accessibility. We have amazing differently abled citizens who live in our Town and who could benefit from more housing options that are accessible.

The opening of the “51 bed” NSCC student residence in September of 2021 will address some of our student housing gap. However - I am contacted daily with requests for help in assisting NSCC and Nautical students to find rooms, apartments or houses to rent. I try my best, however there are just not enough options for them. Additionally, we have single professionals who work locally and cannot find a place to rent.

Again another huge opportunity for developers!

Public Housing is another important file that our Town must continue to advocate for. We continue to work with Cape Breton Housing to improve conditions at Sunset Manor for our Senior citizens. We have been told there is a long wait list for the 31 apartment units at Sunset, as well as the 31 units scattered throughout our Town. If the Province of Nova Scotia doubles our existing public housing from 62 to 124 units, they would be filled quickly and we would likely require more.

We need to work with our Province to remedy this!

There are incentives offered to developers to ensure a percentage of their units are affordable. However, developers are not always able to access this incentive. We as a Council must meet with both government and developers to address why our Town is experiencing difficulty accessing these incentives.

We have secure temporary housing (5 bedrooms) in our Town for women and their families who are experiencing domestic violence. Unfortunately, we have no second stage housing for families who are transitioning from and starting “anew” after leaving domestic violence situations.

I applaud one local landlord who is keen to work with Leeside to try to determine remedies for the future. I hope more can be done to transition women and their families into safe and affordable homes.

I also applaud the ROC Society for their commitment to Shalom House - a housing unit that helps adults who are differently abled to live independently. Shalom has 5 permanent spaces and one respite space for differently abled citizens. In my conversations with the director, the Province has about 500 differently abled citizens on a wait list. We sorely need more of this type of housing.

I applaud the work of Fresh Start Peer Support Society as well. The organization is exploring options for temporary housing for citizens who are transitioning from addictions and homelessness. I hope they are successful and we can continue to explore ways to work together.

I am the co-chair of the Strait Richmond Housing Coalition. We discuss and advocate for housing matters, as mentioned above. We have also hosted “Housing Think-tank” conferences to understand our local housing needs. We have also assisted in hosting a “People’s School” for Housing with STFX Extension to generate ideas for housing solutions.

It is extremely important that we continue to work on housing matters. We must continue to engage citizens, developers and our Provincial and Federal Governments. We need to collectively and collaboratively address these housing challenges and opportunities.

Each and every citizen - no matter what your age, level of ability, personal situation, level of income, or stage of life - deserves safe, affordable and adequate housing.

Let’s make Port Hawkesbury a place where everyone can live their best life in a good home.

Guest User 10/10/20 Guest User 10/10/20

Dark side of Politics in Elections

Elections should be a fair, clean and transparent process, with healthy debate about divergent perspectives or platforms.

Different perspectives should be embraced. Having multiple perspectives at our Council table is important and usually make for better decision making.

However- when elections become marred with lies and misinformation, with people choosing to make a fake profile to share a malicious video, or call citizens to pick up a magazine that has negative stories in it about a candidate - to tear at a person’s character to try to make another candidate look better - this is the Dark Side of politics and we need to reject it.

I was very honest when I spoke out about the Dark Side of politics and my experiences with it.

Unfortunately, the Dark Side is occurring during this election.

I am asking our citizens and our candidates to Publicly reject this kind of politics – To Publicly Reject the strategies employed that are meant to derail, humiliate, and annihilate a person’s character or credibility.

I ask our citizens to choose their Mayor and Council based on truth, experience, work record, their platforms, how involved they are in the community, and the job YOU think they will do in 2020-2024.

When people campaign AGAINST someone using dehumanizing political tactics instead of campaigning FOR a candidate - we ALL lose as a community.

Please stand with me against this kind of negative and divisive politics - it hurts us all and turns friends and family into enemies. I will continue to reject it - and stay strong - and I hope citizens and candidates will do the same

Please stand against “The Dark Side of Politics”!

If people are telling you “negative things” about a person instead of differences in platform ideas or campaign issues - Tell Them To STOP!

The Dark Side of Politics is not welcome in our community - in any form!

I hope you all stand with me on this, both citizens and candidates.

Guest User 10/9/20 Guest User 10/9/20

A Doctor For Everyone

A Healthy Port Hawkesbury Starts with Improved Access to Health Care!

While campaigning, I have heard that Health Care is on the minds of many citizens. Families, seniors, students and young professionals still find themselves without a family doctor. Our hospitals continue to face temporarily closures. We have medical health care professionals nearing retirement and we absolutely need a succession plan for them.

Health care recruitment is not the primary responsibility of municipalities; however, the Town of Port Hawkesbury is making it a priority!

The Town of Port Hawkesbury joined forces with Richmond County and many stakeholders in both the health care field and in the community. We are called “Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health.” We have hired a health care navigator, Maggie MacDonald, to work towards the goals set by our team.

One of those extremely important goals is ensuring that site visits with doctors, medical students, and medical health professionals are successful. This takes careful and diligent planning and coordination with all involved.

As seen in this photo, on March 2nd of this year, we hosted several visiting doctors who were very impressed with our Town. Covid has delayed the results of that visit. We will continue to pursue their interest in our Town.

We have another possible site visit for November. Why are site visits so important?

We want to leave an amazing impression. We want them to tour our community and all of its amazing assets. We have a collaborative health care centre, schools (including French Immersion Program), trails, waterfront, gym, park,recreation, artisan hub and more. We want them to envision our community as a place to call home. We want them to feel welcomed.

The other important aspect of what Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health can do is to work directly with our health care professionals on retention. This is a direction our group will be exploring as well.

Another important step is that we need to stay in touch with our youth who are pursuing medical health careers. We want to ensure that they have opportunities to return home to practice.

At the SAERC graduation this year at the Allan J MacEachen Airport - I was standing 6 feet away from Margie Pace (who knew EVERY ONE of these young men and women). I asked her, “how can we stay connected to these amazing young people because our community will need them when they complete their studies!?” Margie agreed, “we absolutely do!” (I think we need to recruit Margie for Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health to help us!)

I make these points because health care recruitment and retention is no simple task. If the goal we seek is full and accessible health care for all of our citizens, then we must acknowledge that there will be divergent and multiple paths to get there and we must be ready to “think outside the box” and get creative!

We need to be thinking about today, tomorrow and 10 and 20 years down the road.

The most important thing we have accomplished with the Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health Team is that we have made a commitment to become directly involved in - and not sit by and depend on others to do this important work. We are rolling up our sleeves, taking our health care future seriously and doing this important work to improve the overall access to healthcare in Port Hawkesbury and Richmond County.

Thank you to Trevor Boudreau and Juanita Mombourquette who are co-chairs of Cape Breton South Recruiting For Health and all of the active members of the committee.

Please like and share if you agree that our Town MUST continue to make this a priority.

Guest User 10/8/20 Guest User 10/8/20

The Dark Side of Politics

Bill Dunphy wrote an editorial in the Oran this past week entitled, “Why Should She Run?” He articulates his answer as follows; “She should run because she can. It’s up to the rest of us to ensure that she can – safely and free of all the abuse and stereotypical bullshit that they face.” Bill then goes on to promote the Leadership School for Women – a gender equity project I was proud to help organize in Membertou this past weekend.

I waged an inner battle with myself about whether or not to share my own experiences. I decided that if we want things to change, not just for women, but any politician who has been a victim of this kind of poor behavior, then we must talk openly and honestly about “the dark side” of politics.

In my experience, I want to point out that this “dark side” of politics is not perpetuated by all men, nor by men alone; some women can also be disrespectful, hurtful, and disparaging.

Here is my experience with the “dark side” of politics.

I have received a range of threats, both directly and indirectly, since I became an elected official.

Severity ranged from threats to have me "kicked off council" to “I’d be sorry” or would “regret it” if I didn't stop posting information on social media that refuted misinformation (particularly during the Destination Reeves Street Project).

I’ve been referred to as “that stupid blonde B*tch” (our Council chambers double as a small concert venue and have very good acoustics).

When I was fighting for our regional airport’s future survival on behalf of our Council and other Strait Area Councils, I was targeted several times and received disturbing private messages and offensive public posts for two months straight, and in the months that followed.

Over the past year, a man was sending me extremely disturbing texts, and posting equally disturbing misogynistic public posts on my social media Mayor’s page under a variety of pseudonyms (thank you to the RCMP for stopping him).

It isn’t very nice when you get messages like, "tell her I'll make sure the next six months will be the worst of her life."

I could share more, but you get the picture.

Aside from threats and name-calling are the accusations.

I've been accused of soliciting seniors to vote a certain way in exchange for dinner tickets for the Cape Breton Christmas for Seniors. My father Archie is still upset about this; dad and I donate almost $10,000 worth of food to feed more than 500 seniors and volunteers each year, and have done so for the past five years. I have dedicated 100s of hours of time to organize this venue, as have others, to collaborate and coordinate to transport seniors, buy and wrap Christmas gifts, organize entertainment, decorations, prep, and cook – all which is required to make it a success each year. The Town donates the venue and Town staff and the Evergreen Club have taken on the registrations. The accusation diminishes us all because this event is the result of teamwork and done for the love of our seniors.

I've been accused of being "self-serving" and “in conflict” regarding Destination Reeves Street. The Fleur-de-Lis was not one of the businesses who participated in, or benefited from, the facade program. Several business owners did, my father and I were not one of them.

I could again share more, but you get the picture.

This past weekend, more than 100 women joined virtually and in person for a leadership school for women. So many other strong powerful women shared their stories and used their voices to encourage and inspire more women to leadership.

Bill Dunphy also used his voice to talk about what he is witnessing and recognizing as poor treatment of women in the political sphere.

In truth, I consider myself one of the luckier women in politics, despite what I’ve experienced. I have the support of many citizens who stand with me - women and men who see my worth and recognize my hard work; men and women who defend me when they see or hear what Bill Dunphy describes as “abuse and stereotypical bullshit” towards female leaders.

As for the people who feel it is okay to blame me, threaten me, accuse me, say I am "over my head" or think that because I am a woman that I am an easy target, well, do your best. Launch your negative whisper campaigns. Use all of your Trump-like strategies to chip away at my character. Say all you want because the ones who will believe you are the ones who have never supported me anyway. And that’s okay. I’m not going to be everyone’s cup of tea!

But before I end this post, I want to set a few things straight.

A Mayor is not a dictator.

You might have been led to believe that, but guess what? Did you know that before a meeting agenda is finalized, it is sent to all of council to add their own items should they wish? Each elected official around the Council table has equal opportunity to help determine our strategic direction each year, negotiate the budget each year, and play an active role in the progress of our Town. Agendas, every motion, every decision is voted on. It is a democracy.

Oh, and it wouldn’t be an election without an impassioned discussion about Reeves Street.

Some people love it, and some hate it. For those people who hate it – who gets the blame?

Before you decide - let us look at some basic facts…

Reeves Street is a Provincially-owned road.

The road diet is a “pilot” and not yet set in stone.

The Province is collecting data on speed/number of accidents, and will consult with the Town before a final decision will be made.

The Destination Reeves Street Project (road diet pilot and all) was unanimously endorsed by this term’s Council.

Town staff worked hard to leverage this $5 million dollar project with federal and provincial dollars without Council having to increase taxes to pay for it; additionally, it only cost us 10 cent/dollars (10% of the total cost).

Lastly, “if” the new road design does not reduce speeding or reduce accidents – the Province will put it back as it was, at “no cost” to the Town.

Thus, Reeve Street is still in progress.

In the past 7 years, my response to the “dark side” of politics has been to laugh and make light of it (I get that from dad). Other days, when I can’t find anything funny or ridiculous about this bad behavior, I eventually vent to friends who hear some not-so-politically-correct responses (I get that from my spicy Acadian mother). Another trait I inherited from my mom was broad shoulders and a thick skin.

Everyone has different coping mechanisms. I am always working on ways to balance the positive experiences about being an elected official with the negative experiences. This post is part of that journey. It is not an easy thing to show any kind of vulnerability, especially as a politician.

My favorite Michelle Obama quote is, “When they go low, we go high.” Therefore, I forgive all of the people who have spoken poorly to me, or about me. I forgive the people who have threatened me, or scared me. Life it too short for anger and grudges. And maybe in my anger I have offended my offenders. I’m not perfect. No one is. No one prepares you for the “dark side of politics.”

Why am I sharing? At the leadership school, many brave strong women with many years of experience shared their own experiences with the “dark side” of politics in hushed voices, in the hallways, and in between sessions. Some shared them out loud.

So I will attempt to answer Bill Dunphy’s million dollar question “Why should she run?”

I run because I want to make a difference in our home Town. I want our children to have a reason to stay if they want to. I want to be part of a plan to grow a better economy so families can return, and newcomers can make Port Hawkesbury their forever home. I want to see our Town’s citizens not have to worry about housing, loneliness, hunger, mental health, and aging in place. I want to be part of ensuring all citizens – from our youngest to our oldest, feel welcome and belong. I want to see our Town be the most inclusive, most active, most accessible, most musical and artistic place to live. I want to see our Town fully connected with our neighboring municipalities, so that we have a strong town that sustains our rural neighbors and they have strong rural communities that sustain our Town. I want to see our waterfront reach its full potential; I want to see it diversified in new and wonderful ways for citizens, visitors, businesses, our NSCC Nautical Institute, and industries. I want to see our Strait of Canso zone flourish so we can seek out new opportunities and innovate for our future using our regional transportation hub of rail, road, air and port here in the Strait and Western Cape Breton to attract new industry and businesses.

In short – I run because I can, and I should. I have a Master’s degree that specializes in Community Economic Development. I am a business owner of 17 years. I have worked these past 8 years building relationships inside and outside of our Town.

I run because my love for our Town is greater than all the bad experiences combined.

I find it exhilarating when I can see positive changes occurring before my eyes that will benefit our Town for generations to come. I remember meeting with Tom Gunn in 2013 and speaking about how important a safe walkway would be for NSCC students. Being an integral part of the plan to build an active transportation trail - to safely connect NSCC and Embrees Island to our Town - is something I am so proud of, and I know our entire Council is proud too. There are so many other examples I will share with you in the next couple of weeks.

With that, I will end with a simple request.

Raise your voices, and expose the truth about the “dark side” of politics.

The proponents of divisive and negative politics only have power if you continue to let them.

Guest User 10/7/20 Guest User 10/7/20

Everybody Has a Story.

Everybody has a story. If you want to know me..... truly know me - you need to know how my story began.

If you want to know me..... truly know me - you need to know how my story began.

At the start of my grade 12 year at SAERC, I discovered I was going to be a mother. At that time, I did not have the support to stay in school (the guidance councilor at that time urged me to apply to CRVS instead of graduating). My mother told me not to listen to this advice because my marks were excellent, and not to give up on my goals to pursue a University education, despite the new demands of raising an infant.

I know adversity. I also know what it takes to overcome it.

I have dedicated the last 8 years to the Town of Port Hawkesbury; first as a Councillor, and now as your Mayor. I absolutely love representing our Town and seeing it grow, and working everyday for a better future for us all.

I keep this photo near to remind me how far I've come.

For those of you who knew my mother (god rest her spicy Acadian soul), I'll leave the results of that question to linger in your imaginations...

Almost 27 years ago to the day, I left Port Hawkesbury in the heat of August, with baby Candice on my hip, determined to make a life for her and I. As life would have it, I was destined to return to be a part of the very Town I grew up in.

Over the remaining days, leading up to election day on October 17th, I hope to speak to as many citizens as possible. I want to hear your ideas, concerns, and thoughts on the 2016-2020 term and what we might achieve together in 2020-2024.

The next chapter of my story, dear citizens of the Town of Port Hawkesbury, is very much up to you. On October 17th, the day of our Municipal elections, you get to decide what is next.