Canada/The municipality of Petite-Vallée has a new mayor

The new mayor, Monika Tait, had been assigned the position of deputy mayor of the village of 161 inhabitants since the resignation of former mayor Mélanie Clavet last March. She was the only one to apply for the vacant position.

A city councillor for the past six years, Monika Tait admits that running for mayor was not part of her plans.

"It wasn't necessarily in my plans, but after three months as deputy mayor, I saw the work, how well I am surrounded and I wanted to do more.

- A quote from Monika Tait, Mayor of Petite-Vallée

Those interested in the position had until May 19 to submit their applications. Advance voting was to take place on June 11.

A citizen of Petite-Vallée for 25 years, the new mayor also works as a pedagogical advisor at the Chic-Chocs School Service Centre.

Over the past few weeks, she has been reflecting on her vision for the municipality. First of all, she wishes to maintain the cultural vocation that her village has had for many years.

However, Mrs. Tait would like the municipal council to give more thought to recreational and tourism development. We have people who are slowly establishing themselves in the recreational tourism sector. What can we do to help them? How can we organize things with them?

She would also like to take a greener approach and implement composting in her municipality. We could also facilitate the access of electric cars, have electric terminals, she adds.

On Facebook, the prefect of the MRC of La Côte-de-Gaspé, Daniel Côté, congratulated the new mayor.

A committed citizen

Ms. Tait says she fell into the political and civic commitment pot very early in her life. Her parents and stepfather were municipal councillors. I was president of my high school," she says.

When she settled in Petite-Vallée 25 years ago, Monika Tait immediately became involved in the youth centre, the music school and then in the local community.When she settled in Petite-Vallée 25 years ago, Monika Tait was immediately involved in the youth centre, the music school, the school councils, the Petite-Vallée Song Festival and finally, community television.

"I think the best way to do it is to get involved ourselves. If we want things to move, if we want things to be enjoyable, this is the best way to do it."

- A quote from Monika Tait, Mayor of Petite-Vallée

Former mayor Mélanie Clavet, who took office in 2020, resigned citing a context of threats and verbal aggression that prevails in small communities.

For her part, Ms. Tait says she toured the village to meet citizens before filing her candidacy. She is not concerned about intimidation. They are all very welcoming people, who are able to ask the real questions, the right questions, but always in a respectful and safe manner," she says.

She adds that she has a good relationship with the elected officials. This is what weighed a lot in the balance when I decided to run for mayor because we have a really good team. We work well together. We have people who are able to debate without arguing. It's always very respectful and civil," says Ms. Tait.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca