Eganville – The incumbent mayor of North Algona Wilberforce (NAW) Township is anxious to see projects currently underway through to completion.

Mayor James Brose is seeking a second term as mayor and third term as a member of council in the October 24^th vote. He is being challenged by former mayor Deborah Farr, who he defeated in the 2018 vote.

“The reason I want to do another term is we really have made a lot of progress as a council in the last four years,” he stated. “There certainly are a number of projects that are still ongoing that I would like to see through to completion.

“And I have just really enjoyed the past four years with the current council because we’ve really been able to work as a team,” he added.

He admitted council has had some challenges, but members always arrived at a decision and once that decision was made, council moves forward to take on the next project or challenge.

“That’s been really, really gratifying, the fact we can do that,” he said. “We don’t always agree, but once decisions are made, we accept it and move forward.”

He said it’s no secret his initial term on council as a councillor from 2014 to 2018 was a very tumultuous and controversial time in NAW’s history, saying he has used that experience to help him in his role as mayor.

“What’s really helped is really understanding that as the role of council, and in particularly as mayor, it’s so important that you build trust and respect with your fellow councillors and all staff,” he explained. “That’s the most important ingredient in having success going forward.

“You can work together, you can co-operate, and you can get things done without a lot of controversy,” he added.   

With all four incumbent councillors seeking re-election, and only one challenger, he is sure to have at least three familiar faces back at the table if he is re-elected

“I certainly don’t have a problem working with this group. We have accomplished a lot and hopefully will continue moving down that path.

“I like to say we’ve moved from surviving to thriving,” he added. “I think we really are thriving and I want to keep that momentum going. That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to do another term.”

Mayor Brose elaborated on the projects he’d like to see completed including the Wilkens Trail that would provide a link between Grist Mill Road and Fourth Chute Road.    

“We’re trying to finish up our Wilkens Trail. We’ve got the environmental impact study done and the trail has pretty much been completed other than the crossing of the swamp, which will be the last component.

It was members of the Mennonite community who first brought the idea for the trail to council, noting they have been volunteering to help clear the trail. They have also donated some of the fill, etc.

“They certainly have been a very willing and able partner,” he remarked. “They’ve actually built the observation gazebo that will be overlooking the swamp area.

“And there are also kiosks for bikes at both ends of the trail,” he continued. 

The intent of the trail is to allow the Old Order Mennonites to avoid using the busy Highway 60 with their buggies. It is hoped the trail will be multi-purpose for ATVs, bicycles, etc.

On another matter, he said the township has received grant money for upgrades to the rental cottage at Melissa Bishop Park at Lake Dore.

“We’re looking at winterizing it so maybe we can turn it into a four-season rental. And we would like to find a way to maybe expand and get some additional parking at the park there as well.”        

Projects Completed

Mayor Brose is proud the renovations/expansion at the Golden Lake fire hall were completed during this term, noting the idea to renovate the existing building or construct a new hall was discussed for many years. He said when the opportunity arose to buy the former Carl’s Auto Repair garage in Golden Lake, council purchased it and relocated the works department from the fire hall location and opened a satellite municipal office as well. He noted the purchase of the former auto shop was largely covered through the modernization fund grant and very few renovations were required.

“Our volunteer fire department was so great in providing a lot of the manpower to renovate the existing hall and turn it into a complete fire hall, with proper showers, storage lockers, washing facilities for the fire gear,” he remarked.

The building now meets all the recommendations in the report from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.

“It’s something our volunteer firefighters are very, very proud of and certainly glad to have,” he stated.

He was equally proud the fire department now has the equipment and training to provide heavy extrication services.

Mayor Brose said the recent facelift on the exterior for the community hall in Golden Lake was also covered by a grant and included a new coat of paint, some renovations, signage and several murals suggested in a community survey.

“We partnered with the First Nations and the Ottawa Valley Arts Council and part of the grant included money for a tourism kiosk, and that’s going to be in the shape of a schoolhouse, which is still planned for that site. We’re trying to create more of a gathering place there.”

It is hoped it will be completed before winter, he added.     

He continues to lobby for changes at the dangerous intersection of Highway 60 and Lake Dore Road in Golden Lake, noting he had a meeting with Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney this year and she agreed something needs to be done.

“And we’ve certainly greatly reduced the amount of money that used to be spent on investigations,” he stated.

Looking Ahead

Mayor Brose said the need for affordable housing is a major issue, noting with the growth in businesses at Pikwakangan, some of the employees can’t find housing.

“It’s really a challenge to make sure housing is available,” he said.

He said the township has seen the number of building permits almost double in 2022, adding one of the best ways to keep taxes reasonable is through growth.

The possibility of extending water and sewer services from Bonnechere Valley to parts of NAW are being discussed, and he plans to pursue the extension of services. He added NAW would also welcome the proposed Enbridge natural gas expansion coming into their township too when it is extended to Bonnechere Valley Township.

A chair of the community service committee and Renfrew County Housing committee for the past three years, he has helped secure $6 million in funding during COVID for food banks, rent relief, senior centres for extra cleaning, etc.  

“To me, leadership is about working with people, working with a team, and being able to listen and appreciate other people’s opinions,” he concluded.