GREENSTONE — James McPherson says he is up to the task of leading Greenstone council for the next four years.
McPherson, who will succeed previous mayor Renald Beaulieu, has been acclaimed to his first term.
While McPherson feels privileged to serve as mayor, he said he wishes so many other mayors and councillors wouldn't have bee acclaimed to their posts.
“I am pleased as mayor to be given the opportunity to continue serving, but a little disappointed that so many have been acclaimed. Being in the front lines as a mayor or member of council is not always fun so we need to get people to feel comfortable with these roles and come forward to get involved,” McPherson said.
For McPherson, moving forward once the new council is sworn in after today’s election is crucial, especially with Greenstone’s present strategic plan expired.
He believes that he knows the municipality well, having been a councillor and involved all of his life with the communities.
“I have experienced first hand how things get done and with good policies to allow us to move forward,” he said.
McPherson said he has respect for the outgoing mayor, who he worked with during his time as a councillor.
“I have served with him as a member of council for the past eight years and have spoken often about the kind of direction we see the Municipality of Greenstone moving towards. Our vision aligns and I look at continuing to move forward and work with the communities,” he said.
McPherson identified four key items that must be addressed by the new council, which include the Greenstone Gold mine, the creation of an official plan, a new landfill, and a new strategic plan.
The new mayor will be joined by councillors Vicky Budge, Eric Pietsch, Chris Walterson, Elaine Mannisto, Alan Ouellet, Claudette Trottier, Matthew Donovan, and Fran Koning.
