North Perth has a pair of candidates vying for the mayor's seat this year.
Incumbent Todd Kasenberg, fresh off his first term as mayor, is running against challenger Julian George. Kasenberg says over the last 4 years, he's proud of council running responsible budgets, especially during COVID, as well as the new adult learning hub that was established in Atwood. He also pointed to ongoing efforts to try and solve affordable housing issues, including a mayor's task force that was established to try and tackle the issue.
Moving forward, Kasenberg says a big issue to tackle in the next term will be local transportation and traffic issues, particularly the downtown of Listowel. He says truck traffic in particular continues to be an issue, and the ongoing desire to eventually see a truck bypass built is still top of mind for many. As Kasenberg points out though, the costs are steep.
"The costs are daunting, I think that's the right word, but nevertheless I see the resolve of this council having done the studies and parts of the engineering and even in some of the investment into the Line 84 reconstruction, that are going to take us forward into securing an appropriate truck route and bypass for Listowel," Kasenberg said.
The completion of the county official plan, and efforts to continue to beautify the municipality and enhance the arts locally are also important to Kasenberg.
"I'm quite proud, for example, of our efforts on funding the Community Improvement Plan, for downtown facade improvements in Monkton, Atwood and Listowel, and those projects need not just to continue but to be advanced a little further," noted Kasenberg.
In terms of his message to voters, Kasenberg says he loves the community and wants to continue serving the residents of North Perth with an open mind and office.
"My heart is here, my ears are open. I've been proud to serve as mayor, I'm passionate about our community, I involve myself in many of the events and activities by choice that I'm invited to. I have enjoyed the work that has been done, and I think this work needs experience, and I now have that experience, and continue to have the passion to see responsible growth and appropriate development so that we become, and continue to become, a place of pride and a place where people wish to be, to live to grow," Kasenberg concluded.
CKNX has made numerous attempts to contact Julian George, but they have been unsuccessful.
The 2022 Municipal Elections are slated to be held on Monday, October 24. The Municipality of North Perth is offering in-person voting for the 2022 municipal election. There are also advanced voting days on October 12 and 15. For more information, visit https://www.northperth.ca/en/municipal-services/municipal-elections.aspx.
Around Perth County, Jim Aitcheson was acclaimed as Mayor for Perth South, and Al Strathdee was acclaimed as Mayor for St. Marys.