Article contentAker said that the city has since developed a community-based safety plan, in conjunction with input from residents, the Department of Justice and Public Safety, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC).Article contentIn terms of housing and the rising cost of living, Aker added that right now the market is a seller’s market with a supply-demand gap driving prices up. With this in mind, he said, the city will have to balance services versus affordability. Article content“The council will have to deal with the issue of assessments versus mill rates. I think it’s important that we keep our services, but we also have to keep an eye on the price of those services that we pass on to our residents to ensure that it’s keeping up with what they can afford,” said Aker.Article contentOther issues he heard have to do with maintaining infrastructure such as underground pipes, storm water and sewage.Article contentArticle contentMount Pearl’s council dynamicArticle contentMount Pearl’s council dynamic looks a little different compared to other municipalities, such as St. John’s. Article contentIn St. John’s, there are both ward councillors and councillors at large, whereas in Mount Pearl, all council positions are councillors at large, said Aker. Article content“If you’re a ward councillor, you are extremely busy,” said Aker. Article contentWhile other municipalities provide support for ward councillors, all the little things tend to build up on them as opposed to at-large councillors. Article content“And I wonder sometimes if that’s the dynamic that you know, leads to some great satisfaction at times when you can do things,” said Aker. Article content Mount Pearl’s council building. Photo by The Telegram/File photoArticle contentWho is running for a council position? Article contentMount Pearl only has six councillor positions, whereas the capital city has 11. Article contentAll current Mount Pearl council members are seeking re-election: Nicole Kieley, Bill Antle, Isabelle Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke and Mark Rice. Article contentArticle contentHowever, Mount Pearl residents will also see new faces on the ballot this time around, as five newcomers have entered the race. Article contentNewcomers vying for a seat are Don Kelly, Mike Peach, Susan Pearcey, Bailey Rempel and Wanda Tiller. Article contentAker said seeing new names on the ballot is important, and he isn’t ruling out that some new faces could appear on the council. But he does believe experience matters. Article contentHis advice to anyone who might make it into the council for their first time is to focus on leadership. Article content“I think that’s the key thing,” said Aker. “It’s not about loving Mount Pearl or loving your neighbourhood. It’s about wanting to make a difference in people’s lives and the like.”Article contentElection, voting day details Article contentElection day in Mount Pearl is Oct. 2, 2025, and residents area will have a choice of six places to go and cast their vote for representatives of the city council.Article contentVoting will take place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on that day in these locations:Article contentChurch of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall, 111 Richard Nolan DriveGloria Pearson Community Centre, 25 Holden StreetMasonic Park Seniors Club, Masonic Drive Reid Community Centre, 126 Smallwood Drive Our Lady Queen of Families Parish Hall, 126 Smallwood Drive Soccer Clubhouse, 44 Arena RoadArticle content
Mount Pearl mayor acclaimed, residents concerns take spotlight
