THREE RIVERS, P.E.I. - A divide of pro and anti-amalgamation still exists in Three Rivers during the lead up to the new community’s first municipal election next month.
But, whichever side they’re on, many residents are expressing desire for the same outcome from the Nov. 5 election.
“New young blood is what we need,” said Jimmy MacKenna, a resident of one the municipality’s previously unincorporated areas.
The Guardian canvassed several coffee shops and gathering places in the area, and the phrase “new blood” was brought up repeatedly when residents were asked what they would like to see in the next election.
Residents who were in favour of amalgamation shared the same hope.
In fact, when asked what issues they felt could dominate the election, many residents could not pinpoint anything specific.
There are simply too many unanswered questions about how the new council — which will represent about 7,500 residents in a diverse area with both urban and rural elements — will actually function.
“Really, since amalgamation, there can’t be too many issues until you see how the new council works,” said one resident. “I don’t know how (a candidate campaigning) can address any issues until (a new council) straightens everything out.”
It appears that residents will get part of their wish for a political shake-up. The amalgamation process has combined seven separate municipal councils into 12 elected representatives and a mayor.
That means that regardless of who wins on Nov. 5, there will be many previous councillors who will not be on the new council.
The municipality currently has four mayoral candidates. While a handful of people have put their name on the ballot for council seats, it’s still unclear whether all of those races will be contested.
The newly formed municipality is one of the largest population-wise on P.E.I., but its electoral process is still operating in a fashion similar to the smaller communities. Unlike the other large municipalities of Charlottetown, Summerside, Stratford and Cornwall, candidates do not have campaign signs erected in the Three Rivers area.
Some residents approached did not know who was even running for council while others did not know which ward they were in.
Stacey Toms, owner of the Maroon Pig in Georgetown, said she had also only heard of a few who have put their name forward.
“I think people are waiting to really decide,” she said.
Toms, a member of the vocal Rural Coalition of P.E.I., said she was not against the entire idea of amalgamation but was against the process.
While she also expressed a desire for “new, young blood,” the main concern she’s heard regarding the upcoming election is how much attention will be focused on the larger communities.
“I think that’s my biggest concern, right now, is that the infrastructure that’s already there stays there and that things are shared equally throughout the region,” she said.
