Municipal District of St. Stephen Ward 1 Candidate: Kris Booth
1. As candidates, what would be your key priorities over the next four years in your community?
My priorities will be focused on lowering crime and homelessness caused by the drug epidemic. fixing our economy and working on revamping tourism , bringing in manufacturing and build St. Stephen as a distribution hub. Build beaches, a marina, expand our airport. Work towards fixing water quality issues. Support farmers, , our charity clubs, increasing activities and enticing more doctors and support staff to our area will me a priority. “We will focus on putting more eggs in our basket so if one should crack, we can still make our cake.”
2. How would you achieve those priorities within your mandate?
I will work to remove roadblocks and restrictive bylaws hindering our growth and against the core values of our rural residents. We will ask the system to enforce community safety and play hardball with those dealing hard drugs. I will work to make the province more accountable and offer viable rehabilitation to those effected. We will diligently work to bring more opportunities for Advancement and bring our young people back to help build a new thriving economy. I will work to make St. Stephen more attractive and affordable to live and build a business.
3. How will you ensure transparency and accountability in council decisions and communication with residents?
I will listen to the public before voting on bylaws not afterwards. I believe there would be very few instances that closed door policy is acceptable by the public. Such as going after those dealing meth and fentanyl and destroying lives and property. I will work for rural residents and so long as we have their best interests at heart there should be no secrets in a democracy.
I will work on development in many areas at the same time. “more Eggs means more cakes”
4. What is your approach to managing growth and development while preserving the character of the community?
5. What is your position on property taxes, and how would you balance affordability with maintaining services?
Lower Property Taxes. Property taxes for retired or lower income areas should help, We will Make the town more affordable by taking the tax burden out. The civic center at about 800k in the red can be in the green with 4 or 5 major concerts or events per year and bring needed growth and revenues to local businesses and the people who depend on them.. That’s 3.4 million in just 4 years, the price of a marina or other much needed staple to the community. And translates long term to 800 households paying 1,000 less annually. Let’s work to lower your cost while increasing services.
6. Why are you the best candidate to represent your ward, and what experience do you bring to the role?
I have been the only candidate for our area offering a plan, videos and brochures explaining not only what I intend to do for constituents but how we can do it together. I have experience in growing a business, project management and marketing and would like to use those skills to help You, the voter. I share your values and really do want this to be the Town our children will come back to while putting in place a great economy to see that no child shall ever grow up and be forced leave ” for greener pastures” Let’s bring them Home together… Our 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.
