TRURO – Half of Truro town council will include new faces.
Truro Mayor Bill Mills and councillors Raymond Tynes, Brian Kinsman and Greg MacArthur were re-elected on Saturday night. New councillors include Cheryl Ann Fritz, Tom Chisholm and Danny Joseph and Mills said it’s a good group of people forming the next council.
“I’m pleased council members are back and I’m very pleased with Tom who worked on the municipal planning strategy. It’s good to have a woman representative, Cheryl Ann, on council and I’ve known Danny for a long time.”
The town had 8,933 eligible voters. Voter turnout was
46.8 per cent, compared to 19 per cent in 2008.
Returning councillors were excited to continue their municipal careers.
“It feels good,” said Ward 1 Coun. Tynes, who went to town hall to see the unofficial results shortly after they were released on Saturday night.
“I wasn’t nervous … there’s always room to learn but I have no regrets about the way I’ve handled myself,” said Tynes who has been on council for three terms.
Tynes said he’s looking forward to working with the new council and has some goals he’d like to see fulfilled.
“There are some projects I’d like to move forward on like attracting businesses here, dealing with flooding and continuing to work on equity, diversity and inclusion (issues).”
Joining Tynes in Ward 1 is Fritz, who ran for council in 2002 and lost by only a handful of votes.
Ward 2 returnee Kinsman told the Truro Daily News he was “surprised and pleased” with the election outcome.
“I’m very thankful,” said Kinsman, who has been on council for 18 years, adding he’s excited to see a mix of new and returning members.
“Half of council changed. People wanted change but they wanted continuity too. It’s a great (group) of people and I’m pleased with the turnout,” of voters.
Kinsman is happy Chisholm will work with him in Ward 2. Chisholm, 61, has been in the medical business for 34 years.
Ward 3 Coun. Greg MacArthur, who has eight years on council, said he felt good going into the election.
“I think my record spoke for itself and people like what they see,” MacArthur said. “I don’t mind speaking my mind.”
MacArthur is pleased Danny Joseph will join him as a Ward 3 councillor.
“He’s a classy guy and a lifelong friend,” he said of Joseph, 63, who was previously on the parks and recreation committee for four years and is now the chairman of the Truro Sports Heritage Society.
The election also included voters choosing their Truro representative for the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. Susan MacQuarrie received 1,941 votes, defeating Bob Cullen, who had 1,501 votes. Angela Dwyer-James did not re-offer for the position.
The African Nova Scotian school board member will not be verified until Tuesday.
