There are two candidates running for Mayor in the Municipality of Kincardine for the 2022-26 council term.
Current councillor Laura Haight is running against former councillor Kenneth Craig.
Haight, who has served multiple terms on council, says she’s running because she noticed a need for strong leadership at the head of the council table.
“There wasn’t enough actual discussion of the issues around the council table. We need a mayor that will actually facilitate some of those discussions, rather than having councillors come into the meetings already in their corners ready to fight for what they believe is the best answer,” said Haight. “That’s why I’m running, to be the leader who will facilitate the discussions in a decorous and civil manner.”
If elected, Haight says her top three priorities would be community engagement; economic development; and partnering with outside agencies like the hospital school boards.
She says a lot of work was done over the past four years to service lands in Wards 1 and 2 to set the community up for growth over the next term. “We’re really well positioned now for both residential and commercial investment of growth, but in the next four years, we need to concentrate on servicing lands and increasing the capacity in the villages and the hamlets,” said Haight. She adds once servicing is completed, then they can focus on actual economic development and adding brick and mortar.
Kenneth Craig, who has served three different terms on council in the past, and wants to use his experience to better the community. “When I saw some of the challenges that our council is facing, [I thought] I have some skill sets that might address some of those issues. If the community allows me to, I’d be delighted to offer what I have to make a difference here in the Municipality of Kincardine,” added Craig.
Craig says his top priorities, if elected, are improving council decorum; growing the population; and improving daily life in Kincardine by furthering development. “Every community has basic needs that they need to provide, whether it’s healthcare, roads, or recreation. But sometimes it’s the little things in life that can slip through the cracks that make a difference whether or not someone has a great quality of life,” he added.
Both candidates encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote. The 2022 Municipal Elections are slated to be held on Monday, October 24. The Municipality of Kincardine will use Internet and Telephone Voting for the 2022 Municipal Election.
More information can be found on the Municipality of Kincardine’s website.
