Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Reflects On 2020

The mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield said the pandemic brought several challenges to the town over the past year.

In her final year-end interview, Grace Losier said a number of things had to be set aside to keep residents safe.

“Truth be told, things happened in 2020 that you’ll never be able to get back,” said Losier. “Those times spent in the community with friends and the opportunities that exist for people to come together, they were lacking this year in all of our communities.”

Losier said the town’s Brundage Point River Centre “suffered greatly” as many planned events like weddings had to be postponed or cancelled.

“Our community park where we have music in the park in the summer, we had to set that aside in the name of people’s safety,” she said.

Council Able To Accomplish Its Goals

But Losier said the town did well this year, despite the challenges delivered to them by the pandemic.

Losier said town council was able to maintain much of its direction over the past few months.

“We were able to accomplish all of the goals that we had with respect to paving and infrastructure investment,” she said.

The town also hired John Enns-Wind as its new CAO to replace Sandra Gautreau, who retired after a nearly four-decade career with the town.

“We hired them remotely over Zoom from Saskatchewan,” said Losier about Enns-Wind, adding they had never been to the East Coast until now.

Town Sets Aside $850,000 For Capital Projects

Looking ahead to 2021, Losier said the town was able to maintain the tax rate at $1.37 per $100 of assessed value.

A total of $850,000 has been set aside for capital work, which includes street upgrades and new bunker equipment for the firefighters. The town also hopes to do some recladding on the Grand Bay-Westfield Community Centrum to upgrade the facility.

“The town’s capital budget next year involves the same things it does most years,” said Losier. “Reinvestment in people’s properties. The streets and the quality of life things in Grand Bay-Westfield.”

Will Losier Run For Mayor Again?

Losier is entering her final few months as mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield. In February, before the pandemic hit, Losier announced she would not be re-offering after 28 years in municipal politics.

The municipal election was supposed to take place in May, but it was postponed by a year due to the pandemic.

“I was happy to stand in for this year, but I’m more than ready to pass the reins off to someone new and to start another stage in my life.”