Eastern Charlotte At-Large Candidate: Faith Avery
1. As candidates, what would be your key priorities over the next four years in your community?
In a period where fiscal restraint is essential, my priority is to listen closely to residents and ensure that every decision is guided by honesty and transparency.No promises about infrastructure but I will carefully listen to everything that is brought to the table.
2. How would you achieve those priorities within your mandate?
I believe Transparency in municipal work begins with making information accessible and understandable. Residents need to see not only what decisions are being made, but also the reasoning behind them. Sharing agendas, budgets, reports, and updates in plain language helps people feel informed rather than left out of the process. When information is easy to find and clearly it fosters trust.
Long‑term trust is strengthened through consistency and follow‑through. Admitting when information is incomplete, being upfront about challenges, and reporting back on what was heard and what actions were taken all demonstrate accountability. When leaders communicate the same message publicly and privately, residents feel confident that decisions are being made with integrity.
3. How will you ensure transparency and accountability in council decisions and communication with residents?
I believe I addresses question 2 and 3 as one.
4. What is your approach to managing growth and development while preserving the character of the community?
I believe Eastern Charlotte first needs to decide the places, landscapes, traditions, and gathering points that are the identity. Once those are defined then we have a starting point .
Intentional development grows out of that clarity. When you know what must be protected, you can guide new projects to complement rather than replace the community’s identity. It also helps ensure that growth feels like an extension of the region’s character, not a departure from it. This kind of work builds pride, strengthens unity across a large geographic area, and gives residents confidence that change won’t come at the cost of what they value most.
5. What is your position on property taxes, and how would you balance affordability with maintaining services?
The toughest question.
Municipalities have fixed responsibilities that can’t be ignored. There are bills to pay, loans , and essential services that must continue regardless of the economic climate. Roads still need maintenance, facilities still need repairs, and staff still need to be paid . Its important helping residents understand that financial decisions aren’t made in a vacuum.
Growth and new projects are part of long‑term stability. Communities that stop investing in themselves fall behind. Planning for new projects — whether infrastructure, recreation, or economic development — is part of ensuring the town remains viable and attractive for future generations.
Transparency helps people see the “why” behind the numbers. When residents understand the pressures on a municipal budget, the cost of maintaining aging infrastructure, and the long-term benefits of certain investments, they’re more likely to trust the decisions being made.
In 2016 when I was in council we had a do you know day on friday where the town staff put a financial fact on Facebook. Like do you know how much 1km of pavement costs? Or guess how much a tonne of road salt cost and how much do you think we used last year.? Although it did not last maybe we would have better engagement now. So as long as taxes don’t go much higher I think I could accept them at this point
6. Why are you the best candidate to represent your ward, and what experience do you bring to the role?
It takes courage and commitment to run for municipal office, and our community is fortunate to have strong candidates who care deeply about Eastern Charlotte so I would applaud everyone who put their name forward .. What I can speak to is what I personally bring to the table. I have a clear understanding of our municipality’s challenges, a grounded sense of our identity, and a commitment to listening, being transparent, and making decisions that reflect the needs of residents. My experience is 8 years on a council . I don’t claim to be “better” than anyone else — only that I am ready to do the work with integrity, openness, and a genuine respect for the people who call this place home.
Each candidate was provided with the same six questions and equal limits on response length and time. Candidates who did not have publicly available contact information through Elections New Brunswick were required to contact The Courier in accordance with its Municipal Election Coverage Fairness Policy. Candidates who did not respond or declined to participate are noted. Failure to participate will not result in additional coverage elsewhere in the newspaper.
