There was an elections forum in Ste. Anne Wednesday night and some of the main topics covered with the mayor candidates were growth, infrastructure and attracting business.

One of the questions that came from the floor was how each candidate plans to handle the infrastructure to support all the recent growth. 

Richard Pelletier

Incumbent mayor Richard Pelletier explains the town has purchased some additional land in order to expand its lagoon facility noting they are currently getting funds in order so they can begin construction next year.

Mike Bernier admitted to not knowing a lot about the infrastructure required in a community but says he will work diligently with the public works staff and developers to make sure developments and projects are moving along at a steady pace and that the town remains on the right track.

Gerald St-Laurent

 

Meanwhile, Gerald St-Laurent, who works as the Head Custodian at Ecole Pointe Des Chenes in Ste. Anne, notes the current council has done great work in growing the community and keeping up to date with the required infrastructure needs. He says he would like to follow in the footsteps of what they have already started. St-Laurent adds the reason he is running is that he feels that he is in his prime and has time to give his all to the community of Ste. Anne.

 

 

Mayoral candidate Don Simard was not present at Wednesday’s forum. 

One topic that each candidate touched on multiple times during the evening was attracting more business into the community.

Bernier touched on it during his opening and said he would like to revive the Community Development Corporation, which he formerly chaired, and see that go full steam ahead. He also notes, if elected, he would strive to see commercial business come to Ste. Anne and keep more people in town by creating jobs. 

Mike Bernier

St-Laurent says economic development is a large part of his platform. But says aside from attracting new business, he would like to come alongside their current businesses and help see them flourish.

Pelletier, who is also a small business owner in town, notes they have had a great team these past four years and in that time, have seen the community grow and develop tremendously. If elected, he says he would like to see that continue and with growth comes more amenities and business.