Former deputy mayor declares candidacy in Wolfville mayoralty race

By Wendy Elliott

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

There will be a mayoralty race in Wolfville next month.

Former Wolfville deputy mayor Jeff Cantwell has decided to run against incumbent Bob Stead, but says he is not pulling a slate of candidates together.

This is Cantwell’s second run at the mayor’s position in 10 years. Previously he served three terms on town council, six of them as deputy mayor.

The 58-year-old car salesman stands by his service as chair of the planning advisory committee (PAC).

He says the recent decisiveness over R1 zoning makes him believe that a lot of residents are worried about the current council being returned.

Cantwell says he has talked with a number of Wolfville citizens before taking out nomination papers. “I’m hearing that people want to restore core services, get back to the basics.”

He added, “I think the town has to rethink its duties – garbage, snow removal, safe streets – and be fiscally responsible so more people can afford to live in town.”

Cantwell is hopeful that voter turnout will be higher this October. “This year I’m thinking more people will be active.”

He noted that he is aware of the commitment being mayor would entail. “At this stage of my career, my kids being grown, I’d like to get back into politics.”

Meanwhile, street signs on Main Street indicate another former council member Garry Balcom is also running for the mayor’s position.