Big shoes to fill for next election

The political landscape in Windsor is about to change. After Oct. 18, the Town of Windsor will have a new mayor and deputy mayor.

We can say without qualification the announcement last week by Anna Allen not to run in the upcoming municipal election took just about everyone by surprise. The mayor says her reasons are personal and her decision has nothing to do with council itself. We respect that and appreciate her candour at what must surely be a difficult personal and professional crossroad.

Indeed, life is rarely predictable and while we believe the town will miss her verve and political acumen, we suggest that sometimes it's necessary to take a step back, assess where you are and chart a new course. We wish her well, and acknowledge at the same time that whomever ascends to the mayor's chair will be hard-pressed to fill her shoes.

Allen has served with vigour and vision, and brought Windsor to the forefront as the economic gateway to the Annapolis Valley. Windsor has grown tremendously under her leadership and stands poised with the recent announcement that Highway 101 twinning from Avonport to Falmouth will be complete by Nov. 30 to assume an even greater presence as a geographic nexus.

Allen understood the value of this and worked hard to capitalize on its significance. It must be hard to step away at such a critical time, yet we suspect she can enjoy some measure of satisfaction knowing the bulk of the work has been done.

As well, The Hants Journal confirmed late last week that Deputy Mayor Andy Kirk will not reoffer either. That too will leave a substantial hole. Kirk has been solid in a supporting role and he has touched many corners of the community. He, like Allen, has thrived in a very public role to promote the town's economic and social virtues and the two of them were an effective one-two punch.

Their departures opens many windows of opportunity for those seeking a seat around the council horseshoe, but it predicates a tremendous onus as well. Allen and Kirk have accomplished much and in many ways put the Town of Windsor on the map.

As we proceed toward election day, we recommend that pretenders need not apply. The stakes are too high, the reward too rich. As much as the groundwork has been laid, it will be incumbent on the town's next mayor to pick up the ball and be prepared to run with it. Anything less will produce more harm than good.

We're not trying to scare anyone off, nor would we be so bold as to say that each position won't attract good people. Quite the contrary. Change is a good thing and fresh ideas and new faces can have a positive effect.

However, we send a cautionary word to those who might be licking their chops over the possibility of becoming Windsor's next mayor and deputy mayor.

Come to the table with the requisite skills and be prepared to have an immediate impact. Anything less would dishonour the efforts of our mayor and her deputy and could very well compromise the good that has been done already.