Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CLARENDON Oct. 18, 2017
The current mayor of Clarendon is running for re-election and he’s hoping his dedication to safe, maintained roads will cruise him back into the office.
John Armstrong isn’t looking to clean out his office yet, especially with all the work he has planned for the municipality.
“The main focus that we have to have constantly is our roads,” said Armstrong. “We’ve got roughly 270 kilometres of road, but farming is the main industry, so we’ve got heavier equipment on the roads all the time. We’re constantly trying to upgrade our roads, to make them suitable for the traffic.”

Armstrong said that he doesn’t just plan on getting things fixed up, but the whole job done quickly enough, too. That’s why he’s put a focus on the job and keeps a keen eye on maintaining all of the roads year after year.
“It’s not just a matter of keeping them open,” he said. “We put calcium down in the summer to try and keep dust down and every year … we keep track of how many roads got it this year, so we can focus on others next year.”
The mayor also has issue with increasing payments to the MRC, as he said it is getting too high.
“Another issue is our municipal shares to the MRC,” said Armstrong. “In my opinion, in our councillors’ opinions, they’re high.”
Though he understands that the amount paid is determined on household income, size and population of the area, Armstrong would like to see the shares paid levelled out.
The mayor said that he plans to continue his open communication policy, looking to stay easy to get a hold of.
“If somebody calls me at ten o’clock at night, if I don’t happen to be in, they will get a return call the next day,” said Armstrong. “I’m approachable in every way, there’s no way I’m going to be rude with anybody in anyway when they share a request.”
As well, he points to his success with maintaining a budget as a great accomplishment.
Armstrong said that when he entered office by acclamation, a budget was previously set. When asked if he’d want to reopen it, Armstrong replied that a budget was already in place and it’s best to stick to it.
“Eventually your taxes may have to go up, because there’s always an increase in cost to everything,” he said. “But it’s important that if you make a budget, you do the best you can to stick with your budget.”
As for why he wants to stay mayor? There’s still work to do.
“I’m very proud of my municipality,” said Armstrong. “It’s something that when I take a drive around our municipality, it’s nice to say that I’m a part of this. We can always make improvements and you’re never completely satisfied because there’s always thoughts that you’re going to do more, but I’m very pleased with it.”