Elliot Lake's Margaret Pollard became the third woman to enter the race for the six councillor spots on Elliot Lake city council when she filed her nomination papers on July 15.
When the dust settled after the nomination deadline on Aug. 19, 16 other people had also entered the councillor race to decide who will lead the city for the next four years.
Four of the candidates are women, including Tammy Van Roon, Tammy Brown and (incumbent) Sandy Finamore.
As well, Geraldine Robinson is running for mayor.
Pollard told ElliotLakeToday she believes serving on council is her way of giving back to the community, by being a participant in the decisions to decide Elliot Lake's future.
"I have a vested interest in that future as the owner of a small business in Elliot Lake, but perhaps more so as the grandmother of three young children growing up here.
"I wish to see them thrive as much as I hope for the community to do so as well," Pollard added.
Pollard spoke of inclusion in government and decision making, and advocates for a broader representation to guide Elliot Lake ahead in a positive way.
She also wants more youth representatives from the community to take part in the decision making process.
"I would like to see a youth advisory committee formed at the grassroots (level) to that end."
She said, just as we embrace our status as a retirement community by addressing the needs of seniors, we need to balance that by recognizing the value of our young and embracing their needs too.