Local News

Antigonish's mayor says he'll run in the upcoming municipal election.

Carl Chisholm made the announcement following Monday night's monthly town council meeting.

He was elected in 2008; the next round of municipal elections is in October.

Chisholm said the majority of the town's councillors plan to run for re-election as well.

"Hopefully the citizens of the Town of Antigonish think that we have done a good job for them, and if they do then they will indicate that by voting us back in."

Chisholm said the only member of council who isn't running is Deputy Mayor Diane Roberts.

He said he feels they've done a good job, but there's still unfinished business including a solution to downtown parking issues.

Town councillors in Antigonish have adopted a new bylaw that deals with kennels.

Councillors passed second reading at Monday night's monthly town council meeting.

The bylaw limits kennels to certain zones and bans them in residential areas; the owner of Happy Dogs Antigonish told councillors she's moving her business from Court Street to Adam Street.

After the meeting, Mayor Carl Chisholm said he's pleased.

"I think it is great, I think it is going to be something that is well used," he said. "You heard me ask a question, I just want to make sure there is going to be control of it. Our bylaw enforcement officers will make sure of that."

Chisholm said the owner has to renew her licence on an annual basis, but she has been upfront and he doesn't expect any problems in the future.

Antigonish town councillors have decided against using electronic voting in the upcoming municipal election.

E-voting would have allowed residents to vote over the phone or online during the next round of municipal elections in October.

Town councillors voted four-to-three against the idea at Monday night's monthly council meeting.

After, Mayor Carl Chisholm said he would have liked to make the switch.

"I compared it to moving ahead with technology or staying behind the Stone Age and people are scared of technology."

Chisholm said it's proven that e-voting has led to higher voter participation.

He said more and more municipalities are making the change and there may not be a choice when the next municipal vote comes around.

The deputy warden of Richmond Co. says a recent meeting with the Independent Electoral Boundary Commission went very well.

The meeting took place in Louisdale last month.

The commission is reviewing boundaries in the province; their terms of reference make it harder to respect protected minority ridings such as Richmond Co.

The county would have to double its electors if it loses its protected Acadian riding.

At Monday night's regular monthly meeting, Deputy Warden Victor David said the county may not have a lot of voters, but the ones they do have make sure to vote.

"Richmond County has the top number of voters virtually every election going in, so as far as representation goes I think we are represented well here then anywhere’s else in the province," he says. "Our voter turnout was in the top five in the last five years."

David said roughly 75 people attended the meeting.

He said he hopes the commission decides to keep the county's boundaries the same.