Libby O'Hara. (Image submitted)
After two terms as deputy mayor in Quispamsis, Libby O’Hara has put her name forward to become the next mayor of the town.
O’Hara said running for mayor is something she has contemplated for several months, even before the pandemic.
“I saw some opportunities when the region began working collaboratively together and felt that this was an exciting time to be a part of a new beginning for the southwestern portion of New Brunswick,” O’Hara said in an interview.
“Running for this position as mayor would give me a birds-eye view of all the changes that we could incorporate into Quispamsis and in moving the town forward.”
O’Hara said as one of the fastest-growing communities in southwestern New Brunswick, they have to take advantage of what is going to benefit the area.
If elected for the top job, O’Hara said one of her priorities would be to develop a strategic plan for the town. She said she is all about planning and having a vision for the future.
“Having a strategic plan in place and knowing what we should be looking like 10 years out and having it fluid so that we have a path to go down, we have some ideas and we have a plan, but it’s fluid enough that we can add to it, we can take away from it,” she said. “The key thing is to keep moving the town forward, to keep it growing, to keep it developing.”
O’Hara said she believes she has the trust of residents after nine years as deputy mayor, pointing to her integrity, honesty and commitment to work.
Because of the pandemic, O’Hara said she will not be doing door-to-door campaigning, even if Public Health says it is permitted.
“I don’t feel that that is the way to go, but we will have other ways that we can get the word out to people and let people know who I am and what I stand for,” she said.
O’Hara is the first person to publicly announce their intention to seek the mayoral seat in the upcoming municipal election. Current Mayor Gary Clark has not yet said if he will be reoffering.
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