Three take run at mayor's office in Quispamsis race

The three people running for mayor in Quispamsis have different ideas for how to lead the town over the next four years.

Incumbent Murray Driscoll says he brings experience to the table. He served as mayor for the past two terms, and as deputy mayor for two terms before that.

There's a need at the helm for an experienced leader.- Mayoral candidate Murray Driscoll

"This term of office will certainly be challenging," Driscoll said Friday in an interview onInformation Morning Saint John.

"The handwriting is on the wall that change is coming that is going to impact all villages, towns and cities, and because of these changes there's a need at the helm for an experienced leader."

New Brunswick's cities and towns may soon have added responsibilities as they work with the provincial government on upgradingtheMunicipalities Act.

"There are certain autonomies we now don'thave, and hopefully this new legislation will give better taxation toward the towns, howthey're able to apply the revenue," said Driscoll.

"[But] Icertainly am concerned thatQuispamsis doesn't have downloaded on them more cost than what the government is prepared to donate or give in tax dollars back to us. That's a major issue We have to be diligent."

Driscollsays his "even-tempered personality" has allowed him to form strong relationships with other levels of government and neighbouring communities.

He says Quispamsis and the Town of Rothesayhave a good working relationship, even though the two areas have at times takena solo approach to major initiatives, such as their separate curbside recycling programs.

"The towns will never agree on everything , but we have come together," Driscoll said.

"Whoever is the mayor of Rothesay, I will work with that mayor to make sure we collaborate and work together on projects of mutual interest."

Cost-share programs

For the past eight years, businessman Gary Clark has served as councillor for the town.

He says he would lead a more transparent municipal governmentby eliminating some of the discussions abouttown business going on behind closed doors.

Another concern is the debt load on the town, Clark said.

We cannot continue to borrow money We need to control spending now.- Mayoral candidate Gary Clark

"We cannot continue to borrow money We need to control spending now, we need to stop borrowing money which increases the town's debt ratio," he said.

"I will provide leadership to a newly elected council [and] concentrate on infrastructure, roads, sewer system upgrades and continue to listen to residents."

Clark says he would also encourage more collaboration with Rothesay, and possibly cost-share on more programs in the future.

"In this economic time in the province, things are not good and I think we can work more closely with the town," said Clark.

"Maybe work together on recreation, street sweeping, we now have a hot asphalt machine we purchased this year for potholes, maybe we can find a way to look at sharing these things and work together."

'Living in fear' of animal control

Clark also wants to review the town's animal control bylaw, which is something candidate Beth Fitzpatrick wants to get started on right away.

She says Quispamsis is earning a cold-hearted reputation for its zero-tolerance approach to animal control.

"I've had many e-mails, and phone calls, messages from people living in fear for their animals. They're living in fear of the enforcement officer, and as a community we can't have that," said Fitzpatrick

"You can't have peopleafraid to take their animals outside to play because of a fear of a neighbour complaining of them barking,and somebody coming will take their dog."

Residents have concerns about how their money is being spent, not being able to get all answers on where the moneyis going.- Mayoral candidate Beth Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick says the bylaw is a touchy subject among pet owners, who feel town employees are making assessments on their animals without anything in place to properlystudy their behaviour.

"The majority I have talked to are living in fear, and that's kind of sad."

Fitzpatrick says over the past eight years, residents have seen little transparency and accountability from council.

If elected mayor, shesays she will immediately issue an independent audit of the town's books.

"Residents have concerns about how their money is being spent, not being able to get all answers on where the moneyis going," said Fitzpatrick.

"An independent audit would give us that, and give thenew council a chance to see where we can cut the fat, where we need to work on areas to keep our tax base down."

Fitzpatrick believes she would make a good mayor because she is open to change.

"I'm open to listening to people you have to address everyone's concerns," she said.

"If you're able to make decisions, while you're not going to please everybody, you've got to make an effort to at least please most of them."