Mayor looks back at 2023, looks forward to 2024
Before the New Year, the River Valley Sun reached out to elected officials in our coverage area to reflect on the past year and look at plans and challenges for the coming year.
Here is Hartland Mayor Tracey DeMerchant’s response to our question regarding her community.
RVS: What were the council highlights in 2023?
TD: Highlights include the opportunities we’ve had working with developers who are interested in building in Hartland, working with Carleton North regarding policing review, and continued development of strategic planning.
Another highlight was meeting with ACOA, Tourism NB, and others to have a round table discussion and give a tour of Hartland for future projects.
Highlights include the opportunities we’ve had working with developers who are interested in building in Hartland, working with Carleton North regarding policing review, and continued development of strategic planning.
I have the great pleasure of working with a hard-working council and dedicated community leaders.
RVS: Going forward, what are your challenges, and what are the council’s top priorities for 2024?
Priorities include working with Horizon and the Western Valley Regional Service Commission to bring doctors and nurse practitioners to the River Valley.
We also want to continue working on projects on the waterfront.
Our top priorities are finishing the Central Carleton Community Complex, which we hope will open for the 2024 hockey season.
We also need to improve and replace the town’s aging infrastructure and strive for more engagement with developers.
RVS: What should the province’s plans for financial restructuring include for municipalities?
TD: The province should deal more directly with the CAO and administration when it comes to formulas, grants and taxation. A more realistic and fair approach would benefit our municipalities.
RVS: Policing has been a core focus for your council since the election. If you are unable to get the province’s okay to start a municipal police force, what other options do you have?
TD: Our policing review committee has worked diligently, had public engagement and is now waiting for the province to review our proposal. Should the proposed new police model not go forward, we will continue to work toward ensuring our citizens are receiving a protective, quality police service.
