St Pierre mayor looks for another term

Raymond Maynard still recalls why he first wanted to be on the village council in 2002, and it’s a reason that still motivates the incumbent mayor today.

“It was to get the town to grow,” he said. “In my mind, a town that doesn’t grow is a town that’s going to die.”

Maynard sat as a councillor from 2002 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018.

He has served as mayor for eight years.

He said he wanted to run again to see more priorities completed.

That includes things like the arena portion of Le Rendezvous Community Culture and Recreation Campus, and investments in local health care.

“Right now, our emergency is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” he said. “I would like to see that emergency open 24/7.”

Maynard said they need more bilingual doctors, and he is looking to upgrade the hospital designation.

“I’d like to be able to see if we could get this hospital designated a regional hospital to be able to increase the services we have,” Maynard said.

He’s also hoping to see more daycare spots in the community and wants to see the province improve Highway 59, a goal he’s had since he was first elected.

“I would like to see it twinned all the way to the corner of Highway 52,” he said.

Maynard said talks have begun with Southern Health. He admits health and highway issues are not within the village’s control but pledges to continue advocating.

Something that is on the radar for Maynard is to see development continue.

“It’s essentially taken off in the last term,” he said. “We’re getting to the point where we’re going to need more space.”

Maynard said land is slated for development south of St Pierre on both sides of Highway 59, though timelines as to when it will happen are not yet clear.

With 23 years of experience on council, Maynard said he continues to be fueled by success in the community.

“Seeing the town grow, seeing that things are happening and to feel that I can be there to help it happen, it just makes you want to keep on going,” he said.

Maynard hopes his experience will resonate with voters.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” he said. “I’ve been on pretty well every committee that’s associated with the council.”

Maynard’s father was in the construction business, and he said he helped install many of the water and sewer lines in the community.

His experience in the world of insurance is also an asset according to Maynard.

No matter who people select on their ballot, Maynard had one message for local residents.

“Go out and vote,” he said.

Raymond Maynard is competing against Liz Karpinchick for the position of mayor.