Blacks Harbour mayor throws hat in provincial ring - Jul. 29, 2010
By KATHY BOCKUS
kathy@stcroixcourier.ca
BLACKS HARBOUR – It all started with an invitation for tea and cake.
It has resulted in Terry James, mayor of Blacks Harbour, being proclaimed as the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick (PANB) candidate for Charlotte-The Isles.
James will run against incumbent Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet and Progressive Conservative candidate Sharon Tucker.
James said she didn’t know anything about the party when a group of people invited her out for tea and cake and told her they would like her to be a candidate.
After meeting with leader Chris Austin and investigating the party’s goals and what it stood for, James accepted the invitation. “It took me a long time to decide. I wanted to make sure they were in keeping with my own values and beliefs.”
If elected, James said she will resign with regret from the job as mayor which she has held for six years.
James was proclaimed a candidate at a convention Wednesday evening at the United Church in Bocabec.
She said she really liked what she heard about PANB.
“It’s all about representing the people. People were tired of the two party rule and wanted an effective second choice.
“I really, sincerely feel there’s a sense people want effective change in their government and in their representation in government and the time is right for that change. I will work tirelessly for the people of Eastern Charlotte.
“We’re lacking a voice of reason, a voice of common sense in the Legislature. The voice of the common folk is not being heard and is being overwhelmed by the voices of those who are already enjoying the power.”
James said Doucet is bound by party lines but admits he has worked hard for the people in his riding. “I’m not going to run a campaign on negativity,” she stated.
James said she is all about getting the job done and has a proven track record on council.
Her priority if elected would be to gain a secondary water source for the village, a critical necessity for its growth and economic development.
“If we can’t say yes to economic growth and development, we might as well roll up our streets,” said James. She noted taxes were up slightly in the village and the village has only experienced a 0.06 per cent growth. “That’s someone building a garage.”
James hopes residents will attend a rally Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Eastern Charlotte Lions Club in Pennfield where they can meet PANB leader Austin.
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