CBRM deputy mayor announces intention to seek top job this fall

Cape Breton Regional Municipality's deputy mayor is seeking the top job in this fall's municipal elections.

James Edwards says there have been a lot of positive developments lately in the municipality and he wants them to continue.

"I want it to be a thriving community," he said. "I want it for not only my [kids] but for our kids and our grandkids. Cape Breton is the place to live. I don't want our kids leaving. There's no need for our kids to be leaving. We've got everything happening here."

Edwards said the booming student population at Cape Breton University and the new Nova Scotia Community College campus in downtown Sydney, N.S., are helping revitalize the area.

The announcement this week of new flights between J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport and Halifax is also going to help drive the community toward prosperity, he said.

Edwards said he intends to talk to people throughout the campaign to get their ideas for future growth.

"Instead of CBRM dictating what happens, the community will dictate what happens," he said.

Edwards was first elected as a councillor in 2020 and has served as deputy mayor for the last two years.

He's a retired Canada Revenue Agency worker, is heavily involved in minor hockey and is a member of the Donkin mine community liaison committee.

In May, former mayor Cecil Clarke announced he is running again this fall.

He was elected for two terms but lost to former councillor Amanda McDougall in 2020.

McDougall also announced in May that she does not intend to reoffer after serving a single term as mayor.

Edwards said he knows he'll have to work hard to get elected and he's counting on his experience as a federal bureaucrat and a local elected representative.

'Let the people decide'

"I'm just going to speak for James Edwards. I'm going to offer the people what I can bring to the table and Cecil, there's no question he's a formidable opponent.

"I'll just go out to the communities, I'll tell the people what I can do, what I can help with, what I bring from the government bureaucratic perspective and the community experience perspective and we'll let the electorate decide who is best suited to steer the ship going forward."

Two other former candidates, Kevin MacEachern and Archie MacKinnon, have also said they intend to run again.

In CBRM, nominations officially open Aug. 29 and close Sept. 10.

The municipality intends to publish the official list of candidates on its website Sept. 11.

Advance polls will be open online and by phone Oct. 10 to 15 and voting in person takes place Saturday, Oct. 19.

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