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Whether it was his promises to keep borough residents informed on all levels of council, his dedication to his constituents’ quality of life or his past experience as mayor of the old town of Lennoxville that won him votes, doesn’t make any difference to new borough president, David Price, because he says his thoughts haven’t changed from the beginning of the campaign. 
PHOTO: JEN YOUNG David Price
Price came out strong as votes began to be counted last night and stayed in the lead over candidate Tom Allen, Louise Brisson and Steve Cote.
“I give the voters a great big thank you,” he said from his home last night where he spent a quiet and cozy night with his wife watching results. “I will be there to listen to and work for the people of Lennoxville and the greater Sherbrooke area. I have to tell you how pleased I was to hold this campaign alongside Tom Allen and Louise Brisson. They waged an excellent campaign. It was clean and very fair. Since we didn’t get a chance to have a sit down debate, I believe the actual debating was done during the door-to-door campaigning. I have nothing but respect for my fellow candidates. ”
Price made his intentions clear on numerous borough issues throughout his campaign including College Street safety, the “inadequate” information practices by the borough in times of emergency as well as his opposition to switching Lennoxville residents from well water to the chlorinated Sherbrooke system.
“Win or lose, my thoughts don’t change. I have already gone over past minutes of council meetings and I plan on getting briefed on other files soon. I plan to make sure I have the people’s voices and make them heard, like with the water issue. I’m not letting that sit.”
His opponent, Tom Allen, who spent four terms in borough council as the Fairview District councillor said he intends to “move on”. When The Record asked him if he would continue to work with council pertaining to borough issues he stated: “I’ll move on with whatever that brings.”
Price looks forward to working with his new council.
“I congratulate all the elected council members,” he stated yesterday. “I’m a pretty easy guy to get a long with and I look forward to sitting down with all of them and getting to work. That’s what it’s all about. I care very much for Lennoxville. It’s my home and it’s time for us to work together and improve quality of life for not only Lennoxville, but Sherbrooke as well.”
Working with Price for the next four years of his recently won term was predicted at The Record’s press time to be Uplands District councillor Bill Smith, who retained his seat from candidate Robert Salesse. While the race was neck and neck most of the evening, Smith remained in the lead. Smith, who moved to the area in 1951, says his biggest objective is to continue with the Town Beatification Project.
“We’ve been working with the Queen and College Street merchants and we have developed a financial aid program to help them improve the appearance of their buildings,” said a retired Smith.
His fellow candidate, Robert Salesse, proved to be a worthy adversary as he trailed Smith closely in votes throughout the election’s updated results.
The six-way race for the borough’s Fairview District councillor seat may have been saturated but at The Record’s press time Mark McLaughlin had the lead.
“It’s clear that the English-speaking voters have turned out, unlike prior elections and the merger vote,” said the elected candidate from his home last night. “No matter who won, with the number of candidates who ran in the borough, important issues were brought forward like Lennoxville’s identity, water, safety, revitalizing downtown, and highway 410. They were discussed and debated. Lennoxville will be better for it. I’d like to thank all those who came out to vote, those who showed an interest in our borough and I especially thank my campaign team who worked relentlessly.”
McLaughlin, who recently made a public statement pertaining to his objection in the new City of Sherbrooke’s electronic sign’s placement, feels strongly about preserving and promoting Lennoxville’s English speaking character and identity. The former Bishop’s University vice-principal of finance and administration, who lives in the borough and works out of Montreal during the week goes as far as to say that Lennoxville’s identity and bilingual status is threatened.
Following McLaughlin closely for the Fairview running at The Record’s press time was Al Ansell, who from his home last night stated: “I would like to congratulate all of the winners on their victories,” said candidate Al Ansell, who spent his election night at home, “but more importantly I would like to thank those citizens who took the time to vote. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It’s very hard when there is no debate to divulge people’s flaws.”
When the Record went to bed Norm Green, in his first attempt at municipal politics, congratulated McLaughlin and vowed to help the new council as a dedicated citizen until the next time.
“I would like to thank every one for all their support and their faith,” said the council hopeful from the St. Antoine’s polling station after votes were tallied. “Including the individuals in Sherbrooke who were incredibly helpful for my first jump into the political arena. This was a learning experience and I will definitely try it again, but until them I will continue to help our council to keep our streets and town safe for everyone.”
The newly formed council now has four years to prove to its voters that they were the right men for the job.By Jen Young
Special To The Record 2009-11-02 |
Montreal Canadiens
