Krystyna Pottier is thrilled voters in Alberton will have choices to make on Monday.
Pottier is one of 12 people vying for 12 council seats, although incumbent Mayor Michael Murphy will be returned to the position by acclimation.
Sixty-nine municipalities across the province are either holding public votes or special nomination meetings on Monday. Polls open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Kensington, Alberton, North Rustico, Borden-Carleton, Georgetown, Montague and Souris. Meetings will be held at 7 p.m. everywhere else, likely in community halls.
Elections are not being held in Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford, Cornwall and the Resort Municipality of Cavendish.
Pottier is seeking her second term on council.
"People deserve to have a choice,'' Pottier said. "The more people that are running as candidates, I think, demonstrates an interest in municipal government in this town.''
Her father was a doctor in Alberton and she grew up there before moving to Ontario. Pottier came home after she retired.
"This community provided a very good living for my family when I was growing up and my parents were living here. I just felt maybe I had something that I could offer that I could give back to the community.''
Vying for the six seats are David Cahill, David Campbell, Pottier, Shane Gillis, Drew Rickard, Alan Curtis, Blair Duggan, Natasha Dunn, Claudia Gallant, Gerald O'Meara, Leonard O'Meara and Kelly Williams.
Voters in eastern P.E.I.'s largest town have a choice between two very familiar faces Mayor Richard Collins and former mayor Pat McGowan.
"I would like the opportunity to contribute once again,'' said McGowan.
Meanwhile, Collins likes his job and wants to keep it.
"The Town of Montague is a success story and a work in progress,'' Collins said.
In terms of council seats, the six current councillors have re-offered, along with two newcomers, former MLA Jim Bagnall and well-known local sportsman Wayne Spin.
The current council consists of Deputy Mayor David Mabon, John MacFarlane, Peggy Whitlock, Peter Doucette, Marian Robertson and Debbie Johnston.
In Georgetown, incumbent Mayor Lewis Lavandier squares off against former mayor Peter Llewellyn and newcomer and current councillor Craig Murphy. Those looking for the six council seats include incumbents, Allan Gallant, Michael Gallant, Ronald Gallant, Faye McQuillan and Wade Williams, while newcomers or former councillors include Gary Sheppard, Mark Stephen, Melvin Ford, Gordon Lavers, Kelly Gray and Cindy MacLean.
In Souris, current councillor Shane Clements is challenging incumbent Mayor David MacDonald. The current council of Wanda Bailey, Jim Cheverie, JoAnne Dunphy, Thelma MacDonald, D. Kenneth Peters and Denis Thibodeau have won by acclamation.
In the Town of Borden-Carleton, three names will be on the ballot for mayor Dean Sexton, Shane MacLean and Jamie Hagen.
In Kensington, Mayor Gordon Coffin was unopposed at the deadline to declare candidacy and was automatically acclaimed to the position but there will be some changes around the council table.
Current deputy mayor, Paul Chessman, didn't re-offer. Two new candidates, Ken Simmonds and Rodney Mann, have also stepped forward to challenge incumbents Roman Caseley, Mack MacLean, Marvin Mill, Jeff Spencer and Gary Gallant.
In Tignish, Gerard LeClair did not re-offer for chair of council. Allan McInnis will replace LeClair as chair since he was the only one to file papers for the top elected position.
Contesting for the six council seats in Tignish are Joey Carragher, Edward Gallant, Alan Gavin, Cassie Gavin, Wayne Gavin, Thish Handrahan and Angel Murphy.
In North Rustico, current council chair Fred Doiron is re-offering as are councillors Gail Gallant, David Gallant, Robbie Doiron and Anne Kirk.
