Beaconsfield election heating up

It’s official, there will be a mayoral race in Beaconsfield this fall.

Incumbent Mayor Bob Benedetti registered as an independent candidate with Elections Quebec last week, ending months of speculation of whether or not the 70-year-old retired broadcast journalist would seek a second term.

So far, the only other person officially in the mayoral race for the Nov. 1 election is Hela Labene, who is up in arms over what she considers poor fiscal management by the city and too high taxes. This is Labene’s first try at municipal politics, though she has run for public office before, such as the French school board election in 2007, and she has been involved in provincial politics as well, sitting as an executive member of the Parti Québécois Jacques Cartier riding association.

Benedetti stated his record speaks for itself.

“During my first term as mayor of a demerged Beaconsfield we provided better services to our citizens, controlled costs and improved transparency,” he said.

Some highlights he pointed out include the annual budget consultations with citizens, a marketing survey commissioned by council to gauge residents concerns and the launching of a 13-year infrastructure renewal program valued at over $35 million.

According to Quebec election rules (regarding municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more), independent candidates can register as of Jan. 1 the year of an election and can start raising funds or incur expenses prior to their official nomination (made closer to the election date). Several Beaconsfield candidates have registered, including incumbent councillors Karen Messier and Wade Staddon. As well, there are newcomers Rhonda Massad, Gilles Perron, Pierre Demers, an engineer who sits on the city’s urban planning committee who will be running in District 6, and Barbara Baudinet, a real estate agent who will be running in the district being vacated by longtime city councillor James Hasegawa.

Baudinet, a member of the Beaconsfield Newcomers club, said one issue of great interest to her is the environment. She added she hopes to be an advocate for citizens on city council. “I wish to represent District 1’s constituents and merchants in a fair and impartial manner. I hope to be their spokesperson so that we will continue to see Beaconsfield evolve and prosper as well as stay the wonderful city that it is,” she stated.

Hasegawa, who is not seeking re-election, said he recently met with Baudinet for a couple of hours at his home but said he has decided to back someone else, a candidate who lives in District 1 but isn’t ready to make their intentions public just yet.