Former Tory MLA Tanker Malley returns to politics at the municipal level

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The people of Miramichi have a new leader and what is nearly a brand-new city council.

Gerry Cormier won the mayor's seat in last night's municipal elections, handily defeating his three opponents. Cormier more than doubled second-place Reg Falconer's total while Falconer nearly doubled third-place Tim L. Hoban. Patrick William O'Brien trailed his opponents by a distant margin.

Current Mayor John McKay chose not to seek re-election.

A staggering 33 people ran for city council's 10 seats, and only two incumbents survived to remain on what is nearly a brand new council.

One new councillor in Miramichi is a familiar face to many not only in the city, but also across the province. Michael "Tanker" Malley, former Conservative MLA and Speaker in the provincial Legislature, now has a council seat.

"Tanker" was Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA in 2006 when he left the governing Conservatives to sit as an Independent after then-Premier Bernard Lord refused to meet a list of demands furnished by Malley, who was also angry at the time for being passed over for a cabinet job.

It was a move that made headlines at the time, but not so much as when, only two months later, Malley returned to the government side.

Incoming mayor Gerry Cormier was elated last night at the Rodd Miramichi Inn where he had just finished giving a victory speech when the Times & Transcript reached him.

During a brief interview, Cormier had to stop several times as Miramichi residents stopped him to congratulate him on his big win.

"I'm just elated," he says, his excitement palpable over the phone. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Cormier says the new city council will work closely with the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce and provincial and federal politicians to move the city forward.

Cormier's three major goals are to create more jobs, fix city roads and bring more decorum to council chambers.

Municipal politics have had trying times in recent months and divisions on council have often halted city business. Most recently, Mayor John McKay walked out of a council meeting, leaving the remaining council members without a quorum and an important city deal up in the air.

"People were saying they wanted decorum around the table and they wanted some new blood, and that's what they're going to get," Cormier says.

He sounded ready to get right to work, as did Nancy Lordon, the Miramichi council candidate with the most votes at the end of the night.

Lordon is one of eight newcomers to city council. The only returning council members are Brian J. King and Rupert Bernard. The seven other newcomers include Joan M. Cripps, Derek Burchill, Robert B. Trevors, Michael J. McCoombs, Jason J. Harris, "Tanker" Malley and Bill Treadwell.

"It's just totally, totally exciting and just awesome," Lordon said of her first try at politics.

"I think people were looking for a change and of course, one of the big things people are looking for is economic growth through knowledge and technology-based industries."

Miramichi has suffered from job losses as a result of the downturn in the forestry industry in the province. Both Cormier and Lordon noted the need for job creation.

Lordon said a healthy environment is important to her and mentioned creating a home-pickup service for recyclables and working with Northumberland Solid Waste Commission on other environmentally-friendly projects.

Lordon says over the last year she has paid particular attention to the goings-on in Miramichi and says she simply felt the municipality needed change.

She wasn't comfortable talking about past problems with city council in Miramichi, but she said "respect around the table" was one item she campaigned for while running for a council seat.

Tim L. Hoban didn't win the mayor's seat last night, but he was quick to offer a hand should the new city council need it at some point.

"I wish the rest of council that are being elected the best of luck," Hoban said from his home last night. "I hope they stick to their guns and do what they promised they were going to do for the city. And I'll just wait until the next time."

While Hoban is originally from Sydney, N.S., he has lived in Miramichi for 22 years and it is his home. He believes the nearly brand-new council has been needed for some time and he hopes it will result in a more united council and in turn, a more united city.

If Gerry Cormier has his way, Hoban will get his wish for a stronger, more united city. "I think people were looking for a change, and they were looking for new faces and ideas," says Cormier. "And that's what they're getting."