3 unknowns join race for CBRM mayor

Nominations for mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality closed on Tuesday with a total of five people running for the top job.

Glenn Jessome, Wilf Isaac and Elizabeth Barrie added their names to the ballot and joined Cecil Clarke and Rankin MacSween, who previously announced their intentions to run.

None of the three newest candidates are well known in the CBRM.

"I taught honours math, physics and calculus here for five years," said Jessome, who currently works as a consultant. "In those five years, I got to meet some very interesting people, and none of them live here anymore."

Jessome said the municipality needs to tackle out-migration and the problems of a shrinking tax base, along with illegal drug use.

Mayoral candidate Isaac is from Millville and also has a wide ranging platform.

"The neglect of rural communities over the past number of years, public housing is one of my concerns," said Isaac. "Public transportation, better elder care, health issues."

Prescription drug abuse, community policing and the municipality's debt are all issues Isaac wants to tackle.

Barrie, the third new candidate, is a private tutor who works mainly with special needs children. She said she entered the mayoral race because she wants to help keep youth in Cape Breton.

Barrie said she's been considering getting involved in politics for a while.

Both Cecil Clarke and Rankin MacSween have been involved with the community for years. Clarkeis a former MLA for the area and MacSween has been involved with community development.

There are 40 people vying for the 12 council seats in the CBRM, including eight candidates in District 5 in Sydney.

There have been two acclamationsGeorge MacDonald in the Glace Bay area and Lowell Cormier in the New Waterford area.

Election day is Oct. 20.