Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Develpoment Coucil • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com •
Voter Turnout in the 2012 Municipal Election Saint John
45.6%
Ward 1
54.5%
Ward 2
47.7%
Ward 3
36.9%
Ward 4
42.9%
How Saint John’s Municipal Election Works
There will be Municipal election on May 9th and Saint John’s new city council will take office on May 20th. The City is divided into four wards, the wards are different sizes, but have about the same number of people. Two Councillors are elected in each ward to represent the residents who live there. You can find out more about your ward by checking out pages 3-6 or by calling ElectionsNB. Each voter can choose one Mayor, two “at large” Councillors and two ward Councillors. You will also be voting for someone to sit on the District Education Council (DEC) and the Regional Health Authority (RHA). To learn more about the DEC and RHA, see page 7.
A Message From The Municipal Electoral Officer
By Municipal Electoral Officer, Michael P. Quinn
On May 9, 2016, New Brunswickers will go to the polls to vote in local elections. Electors living in municipalities will have the opportunity to vote for candidates running for their local council and all citizens across the province will have the chance to vote for candidates running for a position on a District Education Council or a Regional Health Authority. Whether one serves as a member of a town council or works as a member of a District Education Council or Regional Health Authority, each of these positions are on the front lines of the decision-making processes that influence the day-to-day services and programs that affect all of us. The candidates who offer their names on a ballot all have a desire to make their communities and our province a better place to live and work. There is no better way to make a difference than by giving of your time and effort to serve your community through an elected office. The democratic process is best served with multiple candidates running for each position in each election. It offers voters a broad selection of a diverse field of candidates to choose from. With all of the different positions being contested, this can also generate greater interest among the voting population and result in a higher voter turnout which, at the end of the day, is critical for any democracy. Whether you decide to offer as a candidate or vote as an elector, I encourage all New Brunswickers to participate in the elections being held on May
Why Vote? It is important to participate in municipal politics because the decisions the local government makes directly affect the quality of your everyday life. “Choices concerning water and waste, police and fire protection, traffic bylaws and zoning regulations, libraries, parks and recreation, and social programs are all essential to the effective pursuit of the good life” (City Politics, Canada, 2006), so it’s important to engage—a good first step is to vote! Page 1
Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com •
The City Of Saint John
Running our city is a big job—literally! With over 315 square kilometers of land, Saint John has the largest land area of the province’s three largest cities. Our city is more than twice as large as either Moncton or Fredericton. It also has the most people, but not by much; according to the 2011 census, Moncton had almost as many people as Saint John. Saint John has significantly more roads to maintain than Moncton or Fredericton—it has almost twice as many kilometers of roads to pave, plow, paint, and clean as Fredericton! Every year, all property is assessed to see how much it is worth. Then, the total value of all properties in each city is calculated and this information is used to set the local tax rate. Properties are either residential or non-residential. Non-residential properties are taxed at one-andone-half times the tax rate. The tax rate in Saint John is 1.785, which means property owners are taxed $1.785 per $100 of assessed value on their property. To get the tax base for the city, you add up the value of all of the residential property, plus one and a half times the total value of the non-residential property.
Candidates for Mayor and Councillors At Large This year, there are five people campaigning to be Mayor of our city. When you go to the ballot box, you can only choose one. Six people are also running to represent all of Saint John as a Councillor at Large. When you go to the polls, you can choose two of the six candidates.
Moving Forward And Voting In Your Community
Did you know? Did you know that the councillor who receives the most votes on election day traditionally becomes the Deputy Mayor of the City of Saint John?
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By Anna James As a resident of the lower west side, it is important to take the time to look at those running to represent you and your neighbourhood and to vote for those who you believe will best look after you and your neighbourhoods’ interest. In order to move forward it is important to have strong representation in all levels of government. May 9th is Election day. It’s your time to be heard. There will be advance polls on Saturday, April 30th and Monday, May 2nd at the Saint John Boys’ and Girls’ Club from 10am to 8pm, and a special ballot at the PACT office, 200 Ludlow Street, on May 5th from 9am to 12pm. Show up and vote and have a say in your future.
Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com • Ward 1 has an area of 118.7 square kilometres, and a population of 16,705. It includes: Fundy Heights, Island View Heights, Churchill Heights, Spruce Lake ,Lorneville, Milford, Acamac, Ketepec, Belmont, Morna Heights, Martinon and parts of the West Side until Duke Street West. Recent immigrants make up 0.3% of the population of Ward 1, according to 2011 census data. If you have any questions about your ward or polling station, contact the returning office at 658-3068.
Ward 1 Candidates
Photo courtesy of City ovf Saint John
Get to Know Ward 1 Ward 1 had the highest voter turnout rate of the four wards in the 2012 municipal election. There is still a lot of room for improvement this time around, though--45.5% of the people who could have voted, didn’t!
Why It Is Important For Our Young Adults To Vote?
By Christa Petts I talked to Cheyienne Cramm who voted for the first time last year. She didn’t make her decision lightly. She researched and learned about each party. She told me she wanted to make sure her vote counted. It was important for her to understand her role in the voting process. To make sure she was making the right decision for herself and her community to the best of her ability. I was very impressed she told me,
“All young adults should realize their vote counts and how important it is to our community and our City. “
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Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition •Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com •
Ward 2 has an area of 30.9 square kilometres, and a population of 17,430. It includes: Douglas Avenue, Old North End, Crescent Valley, Anglin Drive, Rockland Road area, Millidgeville to Foster Thurston Drive. If you have any questions about your ward or polling station contact the returning office,658-3068. Recent immigrants make up 3.50% of the population of Ward 2, according to 2011 census data.
Ward 2 Candidates
Photo courtesy of City of Saint John
Get to Know Ward 2 New Location For Some Ward 2 Voters! If you vote at poll #’s 81, 82, 83, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93 Your new poll location is Vimy Estate, 190 Churchill Boulevard (across from the new Regional YMCA)!
SPECIAL Additional Polls Election NB has set up 5 SPECIAL POLLs in our PRIORITY NEIGHBOURHOODS. 2 of these polls are in Ward 2. Don’t miss your chance to vote early. For the greater North End the locations are: North End: Wednesday May 4, 2016. 85 Durham Street - Nick Nicolle Community Centre. Phone: 658-2980. TIME: 9AM – 12 NOON Wednesday May 4, 2016. 130 MacLaren Blvd - Crescent Valley Community Centre. Phone: 693-8513. TIME: 12:30PM – 3:30 PM.
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Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Developmet Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com • Ward 3 has an area of 13.3 square kilometers, and a population of 17,865. It includes: Lower West Side, Uptown, Lower South End, Red Head, Rothesay Avenue, Morland Trailer Park, Silver Falls, Michael Crescent, Bonita Crescent, and the Mount Pleasant Avenue East area. If you have any questions about your ward or polling station contact the returning office, 658-3068. Recent immigrants make up 2.6% of the population of Ward 3, according to 2011 census data.
Ward 3 Candidates
Photo courtesy of City of Saint John
Get to Know Ward 3
SPECIAL Additional Polls
Election NB has set up 5 SPECIAL POLLs in our PRIORITY NEIGHBOURHOODS. 3 of these additional polls are in Ward 3. Don’t miss your chance to vote early! For the Lower South End, Waterloo-Village and the Lower West Side your locations are listed Waterloo Village: Tuesday May 3, 2016. 1 Paul Harris Street - Saint John Boys and Girls Club. Phone: 634-2011. Time: 9AM – 12 NOON South End: Tuesday May 3, 2016. 251 Wentworth Street - PULSE building. Phone: 632-6807. Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Lower West Side: Thursday May 5, 2016. 200 Ludlow Street – Westside PACT building. Phone: 672-0226. TIME: 9 AM – 12 NOON.
The Importance of Your Vote When it Come’s to Local Non-profits
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By Rhoda Welshman, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Saint John Our local Nonprofits are key contributors to our community’s social and civic vitality, providers of much needed public services and also employers. Social service organizations, charities, advocacy groups and voluntary associations are joined at the hip to the public policy decisions of government officials. It is imperative that our communities support local government officials who are informed and can see the unmeasured value of Nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits are distinctly in the business of human and community service and that means the actions of government intersect with and have a profound impact on their work. Invest in your community, invest in the future of our city - make your vote count!
Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com • Ward 4 has an area of 153 square kilometers, and a population of 18,060. It includes: Glen Falls, Forest Hills, High Meadow Park, Champlain Heights, Lakewood Heights, Golden Grove, up to Garnett Settlement. If you have any questions about your ward or polling station contact the returning office, 658-3068. Recent immigrants make up 1.1% of the population of Ward 4, according to 2011 census data.
Ward 4 Candidates
Photo courtesy of City of Saint John
Get to Know Ward 4
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Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com •
Regional Health Authority
District Education Council
District Education Councils (DECs) are responsible for making sure the needs and wishes of the community are reflected in the management and operation of the community’s schools. The DEC hires and evaluates the Superintendent of the district and works closely with that individual to help build community partnerships, monitor the budget, and help to establish the overall goals of the district. The City of Saint John is part of the province’s Anglophone South (subdistricts 4-7) and Francophone Sud (subdistrict 9) School Districts. On May 9th, Saint Johners in three Anglophone South subdistricts (4, 5, and 7) will elect their representative on the District Education Council. Subdistrict 6, in Anglophone South, and subdistrict 9, in Francophone Sud, will not have elections as each only had one candidate put his name forward, meaning candidates in those subdistricts win by acclamation. Find out which subdistrict you live in and who your candidates are below - and be sure to cast your vote on Election Day!
Health Region B Région de la santé B HORIZON HEALTH NETWORK RÉSEAU DE SANTÉ HORIZON
Dalhousie
Campbellton Tide Head Atholville
Eel River Crossing Balmoral
Charlo Pointe-Verte Petit-Rocher
Belledune
Nigadoo Beresford Kedgwick
Grande-Anse
BasCaraquet Maisonnette
Lamèque
Saint-Léolin Bertrand Caraquet Le Goulet Paquetville
Bathurst Saint-Quentin
Sainte-MarieSaint-Raphaël Shippagan
TracadieSheila
SaintIsidore
Edmundston Lac Baker Saint-Françoisde-Madawaska
BakerBrook St.Hilaire
Clair
Rivière-Verte Sainte-Annede-Madawaska
Neguac
SaintLéonard
B7
Saint-André
Grand FallsGrand-Sault
Drummond
Miramichi Plaster Rock
B8
Aroostook Blackville
Perth-Andover
Saint-Louisde-Kent
Rogersville
Richibucto Rexton Doaktown Bath
Centreville
Bouctouche
FlorencevilleBristol
Hartland
SaintAntoine
Stanley
B5 Woodstock
B1
Upper Miramichi
Shediac
B6
Chipman
Millville
Dieppe
Salisbury Meductic
Nackawic
Fredericton
Canterbury
New Maryland
Oromocto Gagetown
Harvey
Tracy
McAdam
Fredericton Junction
Hillsborough
B2
CambridgeNarrows
B4
Norton
Port Elgin
Memramcook
Riverview Petitcodiac
Cap-Pelé
Beaubassin East Beaubassin-est
Moncton
Minto
Sackville Dorchester
RiversideAlbert
Sussex Sussex Corner
Subdistrict 4 – West Side area (Boundaries range from the Reversing Falls to Lighthouse Rd. and out to Grand Bay-Westfield) 1 to elect
Alma
Hampton
B3
Grand BayWestfield
Quispamsis Rothesay
St. Martins
St. Stephen
Saint John
St. George
Saint Andrews
Deer Island
Blacks Harbour
Campobello Island
Grand Manan
Regional Health Authority
New Brunswick has two Regional Health Authorities (RHA) which are responsible for managing and delivering health care services in the province. This includes overseeing hospitals, community health centres, public health and mental health services, addictions and extramural services. One of these Regional Health Authorities, Horizon Health Network, includes elected representatives for Saint John and surrounding area. These individuals are elected to be our voice and ensure that we have the kind of health services that we need in our region. Saint John voters will be choosing a representative in either subregion B3 or B4, depending on where you live. Find out which subregion you live in and who is running for your RHA below.
Subregion B3 – West Side, North End, Uptown area (Boundaries range from Foster Thurston to Lighthouse Rd. and out to Grand BayWestfield)
Subdistrict 5 – Uptown, East Side area (Boundaries range from Recycling St. to Doyles Ln. and Read Head Rd. to the North End) 1 to elect
Subdistrict 6 – Millidgeville, North End Usually there would be one candidate to elect, but there will not be an election for this subdistrict this time around because only one person put their name forward. Bernie Regenbogen will be the representative by acclamation. Bernie Regenbogen:(acclaimed) Telephone: (506) 644-8088 Email: bregenbogen3@gmail.com Subdistrict 7 – East (Boundaries range from the intersection of Rothesay Ave. and Tim St., to the Saint John Airport, to the intersection of St. Martins Rd. and Range Rd., and out to Rothesay.)
Subregion B4 – East Side, Airport area (Boundaries range from Crown St. And the St. John Thoroughway to the intersection of St. Martins Rd. and Range Rd., and out to Rothesay.)
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Municipal Election Edition
Special Edition • Human Development Council • sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com •
HOW TO VOTE!
If you didn’t get a Voter Information Card in the mail, don’t worry! You do not need a Voter Information Card to vote. If you did not receive a card, contact your Returning Office or Elections NB to confirm if your name is on the voters list. If it is, they can tell you where you can vote. When you do visit a polling location, tell the Polling Official your name and address and your name will be looked up. If your name is not on the List of Electors, you will have to be added to the list before you may vote.
SPECIAL Additional Polls Election NB has set up 5 SPECIAL POLLs in our PRIORITY NEIGHBOURHOODS. Tuesday May 3, 2016. 1 Paul Harris Street - Saint John Boys and Girls Club. Phone: 634-2011. TIME: 9AM – 12 NOON Tuesday May 3, 2016. 251 Wentworth Street - PULSE building. Phone: 632-6807. TIME: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
How to add your name to the voters list: You can be added to the List of Electors during an election by visiting a Returning Office or Satellite Office and completing an Application for Addition form. You can also add your name to the list when you got to vote, either at an advanced poll or on Election Day.
Wednesday May 4, 2016. 85 Durham Street - Nick Nicolle Community Centre. Phone: 658-2980. TIME: 9AM – 12 NOON
You will need to bring one or more pieces of ID that between them show your name, address and signature. You can use: • A New Brunswick driver’s license (this has all 3 things you need) • Medicare card • Passport • Rent receipt • Utility bill (no bank or credit cards!)
Wednesday May 4, 2016. 130 MacLaren Blvd - Crescent Valley Community Centre. Phone: 693-8513. TIME: 12:30PM – 3:30 PM. Thursday May 5, 2016. 200 Ludlow Street – Westside PACT building. Phone: 672-0226. TIME: 9 AM – 12 NOON.
If you got a Voter Information Card in the mail, it will tell you where your polling station is and when you can vote. If you didn’t, you can look online at www.electionsnb.ca
How do I find my polling station? Under “Where Do I Vote” click on the link that says “Municipal/District Education/Health Authority Elections”. Then, enter just your street name (e.g. If you live on Charlotte Street, just put Charlotte) and select Saint John from the drop down menu.
Note From Guest Editor:
By Jenny O’Connell, jenny@sjhdc.ca Spring is in the air and it’s that time again—municipal election time! Municipalities make decisions that affect us every day, in more ways than we realize. They make important decisions that shape our city, and make it a great place to live, work, and play. The people that we will elect on May 9th will be the face of our City government for the next four years; they will be our voice, representing our interests and voting on things that impact our lives, and the lives of our families. In 2012, less than half of the people in Saint John who were eligible to vote made it out to the polls. Four years have come and gone, and now is our chance to improve voter turnout. Talk to your neighbours, friends and family about voting, and encourage the people you know to get out to the polls. If you’ve voted before, take someone with you who hasn’t—go with a group and make it a fun outing! We hope the information in these pages will help you get out to the polls and vote. Thanks for reading! P.S. If there is something you would like to know more about for the next special election edition of Around the Block, please let us know at sjcommunitynewspaper@gmail.com. Page 8