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Bill Roberts stopped by PELC on September 29 to discuss his track record and some of the biggest issues in the County. The roundtable was part of the PELC Election Connection program. (Photo by Josh Thomas/Gazette Staff)
Roberts was at PELC last month as part of the centre’s election connection program.
A small gathering of interested constituents got the chance to hear what the longtime councillor is all about. Mr. Roberts explained he had initially planned on retiring this year after serving on Council from 2014-2026.
But then came the Trump administration and economic uncertainty.
“I was thinking we would spend some time doing more personal things, stepping away from municipal politics. Then 18 months ago, the world changed. We were getting threats of the 51st state, we were getting threats to our north, threats of climate extremes, tariffs, and global inflation driven by many of these factors. I couldn’t step away, because the municipal level is where we’re going to be hit the hardest,” he said.
The 12-year councillor noted he was a driving force behind bringing a new hospital to the County, and successfully lobbied to save Sophiasburgh Central School.
“I had a gut feeling they were dead wrong (about closing the school). I met with the Premier, and said, you’re talking about community hubs, have these great press releases all about them, well, here’s a living example of one.
“It turned the point on the school. We were able to recruit a new resident to the County, Dr. Charles Pascal, we had Todd Foster (president of the Food Hub), and Mike Farrell (co-founder with Roberts), and in my sun room we created the County Food Hub. That saved the school, and created an institution supporting food security.”
In the last election, Roberts ran on getting County Road 49 reconstructed. Referencing his track record, he explained there is an avenue to improving affordability, by far the largest topic of conversation at PELC, by leaning on already existing organizations.
“We need jobs, we need investment. We also need to create a four-season economy. Not part-time, or seasonal employment. I think there’s a role for StayPEC, VTC, The Arts Council, the Chamber, and Council, to work together in creating a four-season economy and I believe that is the path we’re on.”
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