All six candidates are well known in the area despite only two being veteran politicians

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While the Dieppe race in Monday's municipal election offers clear choices in most ridings, the "at-large" race appears to be the toughest to call, according to many interested Dieppe voters.

Veteran at-large Councillor Jean Gaudet is the only one of three current at-large members of council re-offering, with Charles LeBlanc and Brenda LeBlanc bowing out earlier for family and health reasons, respectively.

That leaves the well-known Gaudet pitted against five political newcomers, though they are hardly unknowns in their community, with one already having two decades of council experience under his belt.

"I know all about each and every one of them," voter Michelle LeBlanc says.

"That doesn't make it any easier to decide; in fact, it just makes it harder," the retail worker says.

It's probably the closest battle of all in the sometimes-acrimonious election campaign that has sharply divided some voters into anti- and pro-camps regarding the current city council.

"Some want to turf all of council and some want to keep some of them on the job for the next four years," voter Edgar Robichaud says.

"I think most people fall somewhere in the middle and believe that things aren't nearly as bad as the anti-council forces say and maybe not quite as rosy as the city says. If most people think that way, Jean Gaudet is probably a safe bet to keep his seat again," says Robichaud, who will vote for Gaudet because he likes the veteran councillor's style of saying what he thinks and showing up to represent the city at many events.

"After that, it's all up in the air."

Gaudet has been on the municipal scene for 30 years as an employee of the city and then as a councillor. He advocates continued development of the booming city but only with careful planning so that the maximum amount of citizens can reap the most benefit of Dieppe's growth spurt.

Arnold Cormier served as a Ward 2 Councillor for 21 years and now seeks a return as councillor at large.

Cormier says he's always been active at serving his community, including during the last four years when he's been away from the council table, and is anxious to make his return so he can continue to contribute.

Jody Dallaire is making her first foray into politics, but she too is well known in Dieppe and across Metro Moncton for her strong advocacy on behalf of women, children and family issues. Dallaire has appeared before council on several occasions in the role of advocate for groups representing those demographics and has demonstrated a strong grasp of issues and a willingness to stand up for what she believes in.

Frederic Pellerin has been a vocal opponent of the current regime at City Hall, appearing regularly at council meetings to accuse council of not being forthright with details on Dieppe mega-projects such as the new aquatic centre. The businessman and engineer made his name as one of the faces of the Dieppe Citizens' Coalition which dogged the final year of this council's mandate over what it terms as council secrecy and mismanagement of big-ticket projects.

Yvon Comeau, retired from the insurance industry, says he wants to give back to his community by sitting on council.

He vows to work towards a more harmonious atmosphere at City Hall, working with city staff to make the city an even better place to live and listening to the wishes of Dieppe residents.

Michel P. Richard, retired for four years as principal of NBCC Dieppe, brings to the table his involvement, often in a high capacity, with more than a dozen groups, boards and professional organizations relating to education, business and social-development activities. He advocates sound fiscal management and respect for citizens affected by Dieppe's growth.