Everybody Has a Story.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 17th, the day of our Municipal elections, you get to decide what is next.