CALEB NICKERSON
PORTAGE DU FORT
March 31, 2019
There’s a new face on council in Portage du Fort, following a by-election on March 31.
Edward Thompson received 57 votes to Donald Armitage’s 51 to claim the Ward 6 seat. The position has been vacant since October when former councillor Alan Farrell resigned. The turnout for the by-election represented roughly half of the town’s 203 eligible voters.
Thompson is no stranger to municipal politics, having sat on council from 1989 to 2001. He also ran for a seat in the last election but lost to Gerard Manwell by only four votes. He is also the co-owner of the local convenience store, Depanneur Thompson.
Thompson said that though he still has to attend his first meeting as a councillor (scheduled for April 15), he would bring his experience to bear on municipal issues including public access to information.
“The number one thing is to make everything transparent, so people know exactly what is going on,” he said.
He noted that he will work to make himself available to all local residents if they have questions.
“If anyone has any concerns, they know where to find me,” he said. “I’m here at the store.”
He said he was a little disappointed in the turnout for the by-election but said that the poor weather likely contributed to people staying home.
Each seat is designated different responsibilities, but Thompson said that he was unsure of what files he would be heading up.
“Seat number six was roads before, so I’m not sure if the mayor is going to designate something different,” he said. “We’ll find that out.”
