Who’s back in - or off - for Berwick Oct. 18 ballot

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

There will be some new faces on Berwick town council after October 18 elections - it’s just a question of how many.

First-term Councillor Beth Easson resigned her seat with a move out of town in May, and second-term Councillor Richard Horsburgh - whose father served as mayor years ago - will not be reoffering.

“I did what I wanted to do, two four-year terms, and I enjoyed it,” Horsburgh says. But, I’d like to see some younger people try it. I grew up here all my life, and I always heard so much money comes in, but so much is already committed you don’t realize, to justice, education, housing. There is not a lot for the extras you’d like to see happen.”

Councillor Mike Trinacty, first elected in 1991, is re-offering, saying he’s enjoyed the time and looks forward to serving - and accomplishing - another four years in “a great community with lots of potential.”

Councillor Don Clarke, serving this year as deputy mayor as he has for intermittent years recently, says he will re-offer. He was first elected in 1997, and says he enjoys the work - “even though it is becoming more time-consuming.

“I think we do have to consider, next term, as a staff and council, how many committees and outside groups and projects the town becomes involved with. It goes on, and it’s open-ended.”

Berwick mayor John Prall, elected as a councillor in 1988 and mayor for the past 11 years, says elected life is something “you have to like.

“You have to want to be involved and work with the community, and see it develop. That’s the challenge.”

With a turnover in councillors, Prall would like to see newcomers with energy and an interest in the town.

“We try and make sure everyone understands your a councillor, responsible to the people and susceptible to scrutiny; but, we’re also a team and that’s important. We have staff, and they are the professional resources we work with.”

Prall says Berwick’s position in the 2006 census as the fastest-growing town in Nova Scotia gives it a strong base for future growth, but it’s important “we attract developers and people.

“We hope we’re creating the situation where that can be successful.”

The completion of the Apple Dome community recreation facility in the next couple of years will “really make Berwick a better place to be, and that’s the big project right now.”

Gary Whittier, with over 30 years on council, could not be reached for this article.

Councillor Anna Ashford Morton is undecided after coming to the end of her first term on whether or not she will re-offer, but she has until Sept. 9 - along with other prospective mayor and councillor candidates - to pick up, complete and file nomination papers with returning officer Bob Ashley, also the town’s chief administrative officer, at the town hall.

Ashley says a number of people have already picked up packages, and he is hoping to see some interested faces at a Sept. 3 information evening on what the job of an elected official entails.