Ah, municipal election season! Communities across the Pontiac have been abuzz with news, rumours, and speculation about who is and isn’t running. It’s a time that renews civic engagement, when residents think critically about leadership and accountability. Now that the nomination period has closed and the dust has settled, it’s time for voters to start weighing the merits of each candidate.
But to be judged fairly, candidates must first communicate. They need to be accessible to the people they hope to serve, and to the media whose role it is to inform the public. How can someone run for mayor if they can’t be reached? And what does that say about what voters can expect from them once they’re in office? At the very least, a candidate should have their phone number listed in the Télé-Pontiac directory, respond to emails, and maintain a visible presence on social media. In short, they need to be reachable and responsive—because transparency starts long before election day.
The first responsibility of a mayor is to show up. Show up for their constituents, for their council, and for their community. Be physically (and mentally) present, prepared, and available. If a mayor can’t show up, how can they possibly do the job? Leadership is not symbolic—it requires presence and accountability. We’ve seen examples of this in the last Council of Mayors: one who hasn’t physically attended an MRC meeting in more than two years, and another who’s been absent for several months. Both live less than an hour from the MRC headquarters. So where are they?
Of course, health challenges arise. No one is immune, and no one should be criticized for taking time to recover or for needing reasonable accommodations, like attending meetings virtually. But if a mayor’s health prevents them from being physically present for the duration of their mandate, it’s worth asking whether they should be running again. Sometimes stepping back is the most responsible choice, allowing someone else with the time, energy, and capacity to serve. There’s no shame in stepping aside when circumstances demand it. Governing is a hands-on exercise, and it demands commitment.
A mayoral candidate outside the Pontiac recently shared an insight worth remembering: a mayor’s real power doesn’t lie within their municipality. Council makes the decisions; the mayor votes only to break a tie. A mayor’s true influence lies in their ability to represent and advocate for their municipality at higher levels—in the committees they sit on, the discussions they join, and the relationships they build at the MRC and beyond.
Be available. Be accessible. Be present. And be willing to go above and beyond. Because if a mayor can’t do that, they don’t deserve the position—and their community deserves someone who will.
