There’s a three-way race to head Blind River’s new council as mayor after the October 22, municipal election. Mayor Sue Jensen is facing opposition for the top political post from former councillor and mayor hopeful Alex Solomon and political newcomer Sally Hagman.
The three put forward some of their campaign platforms and answered questions from the 150 people who attended an all candidates debate Wednesday evening hosted by the Blind River Chamber of Commerce.
Jensen, a life-long resident of the community, has been a council representative since 2002 and was the first woman elected as mayor of Blind River in 2010. She’s now seeking a third term as mayor.
As mayor she has sat on all committees of council and currently serves on the Policy Committee and is a director on the North Shore Power Group Board, a board member with Algoma Public Health, a board member for the Algoma District Social Services Board and the chair of the Huron North East Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee.
“The past 16 years have taught me much but never too much to say I have learned enough. I continue to learn and to experience new challenges and difficulties on a daily basis,” she said. “This is what keeps the interest at a peek. The training, the guidance and the learning is on-going and everlasting. I have learned that your priorities have become my priorities as well.”
Jensen does her best to attend as many community functions as possible, including carnivals, parades, senior events, fundraising efforts and the Canada Day Beach Bash.
“Blind River is a vibrant and diverse community with much to accomplish and even more to achieve,” she added. “Like so many other communities, we have our challenges and I plan to listen to all of the concerns that are brought forward and considered at the council table.”
Alex Solomon is another lifelong resident of Blind River. The former elementary school teacher also has local political experience with 17 years on council. As a local businessman with 20 years’ experience, he operated the original Palace Theatre and now runs the Palace Theatre II.
With his previous council experience, Solomon has chaired numerous council committees. He is currently vice chairman of the Non-Profit Housing Committee, second vice chairman on the North Shore Health Network, and a member of the Blind River Development Corporation board. He also serves as a provincial representative on the town Police Services Board and from 2014 to 2017 was the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
He is campaigning on a platform of more public consultation on issues in the community.
“Residents often feel that they do not have an opportunity to voice their opinion. I would like to adopt a Public Consultation Policy that would clearly state the level of consultation with the residents that would be required depending on the magnitude of the issue,” he said. “This policy would prove invaluable when potential projects and initiatives are being considered and for also the management of community resources.”
“The town is developing a strategic plan which will prove invaluable in setting the goals and direction the town will move forward in. It will also establish a path by which to achieve those goals. It will be very important to follow this document since it reflects wishes and desires of the residents,” he added.
If elected, Solomon would continue work already in progress to establish an asset management plan as a guideline for work needed town facilities and to maintain infrastructure repair and maintenance.
“According to the last Census, the population of Blind River was 3,472 of which 1,165 were 60 years of age and older. That’s one-third of the population. Age Friendly Communities respond to opportunities and challenges of an aging population, where policies services and physical spaces are designed to enable people of all ages to live in a secure and accessible physical and social environment. Moving forward, we need to be cognizant of this. Presently, there are 20 communities in the north with an ‘Age Friendly Community’ designation,” he said.
Holding of regular public meetings with residents, unlike a Public Consultation Policy, would not necessarily be triggered by any single issue. This would be a report to the residents on issues that are, will or might be happening in Blind River. It would also allow for input that would be recorded and taken back to council for consideration, he said.
“Looking for efficiencies in everything we do is of the utmost importance. We must explore avenues of where we might be able to accomplish a task more efficiently,” he said of looking to federal or provincial grant money for projects.
Sally Hagman has lived in the community with her family for 26 years. Although she doesn’t have direct council experience, she can be seen as a strong community activist with several local agencies. An avid nature lover, Hagman has served as a Marina Committee member, Blind River Economic Development Committee member, tennis and cross-country ski instructor, volunteer on fundraising efforts for local schools, Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Society, Anglican Church and Blind River Entertainment Committee member.
She has also worked on doctor recruitment along the north shore that has seen three doctors coming to Blind River.
Hagman said, if elected, she would hold regular public meetings to inform residents of issues in the community.
She singled out the issue of what she termed as “the elephant in the room” referring to the town’s involvement in the municipally-owned utility North Shore Power Group and Plasco Conversion Technologies and its long-term debt obligations. Hagman was referring to $49 million business loan from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that has been slowly paid down through North Shore Power Group and Plasco, but also includes the town’s obligation for a $23.5 million lump sum payment in 2037.
It was an issue also addressed by Jensen who was on council when the loan was approved in 2010. As a member of the North Shore Power Group board, she noted that the loan is being paid off annually and is confident there will be money raised from now until 2037 to pay it out.
Hagman said, if elected, she would look at new investment opportunities for the community and keep residents up to date on the CMHC loan.
“My reasons for running for the leadership of mayor of Blind River are related to my passion for living, working and wanting to showcase this incredible geographical area. Blind River has so much to offer,” she said. “With the support of Council, boards, committees and staff, I want to bring the community up to working at its full potential! My work experience has given me the advantage of working with multi-million-dollar budgets and I know what it takes to get that additional funding required to make our dreams a reality. I have a different perspective and a fresh approach! By listening to the community and working as a team we can make our dreams a reality.”
“My vision is to create and maximize opportunities for social and economic development while retaining an attractive, sustainable and secure environment for the enjoyment of residents and visitors,” she added.
Municipal voters’ information is available on the town’s website.