MANITOUWADGE – Longtime Manitouwadge resident Margaret Hartling says her experience working with municipalities played a big part in her decision to run for Mayor.
“I’ve lived here for 28 years, I worked in municipal government for 32 [years], 25 of those were actually with the Township of Manitouwadge,” she said, “So I started at the bottom and worked my way up, and I'm now retired, so I have the time and the experience to put towards the mayor's position.”
Hartling says that as mayor she would focus on addressing two major challenges facing the town, the first being infrastructure and the second being economic development.
She says she would, with the consent of council, direct staff to produce a 20-year comprehensive infrastructure plan.
“That is going to include our inventory. What we have, what it's going to cost to replace it, and how do we implement it. That won't get completed in our four-year term, certainly we're not going to do all that infrastructure in four years, but at least it gives a plan for future councils to look at,” she said.
“The second is economic development. North Shore is booming right now, and I'd like, with the permission of council again, to look and see what we can do to take advantage of that because there's great opportunity out there.”
Hartling says her 32 years of experience working at many levels of municipal government make her the best choice for the job.
“I’m just as comfortable talking to the residents of Manitouwadge as I am sitting in front of a minister and saying, Manitouwadge needs this and we need it now, what can you do to help?” she said.
“So, other than catching up on projects that are going on now, I can certainly walk into the job and be an active, participating mayor.”
