Members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte head to the polls this Saturday – Kingston | The Canadian News

The 2021 Tyendinaga Mohawk Council elections will take place this Saturday.

Members of the Quinte Bay Mohawks are encouraged to cast their votes to decide who will serve as chief and council.

Incumbent Chief Don Maracle is running for re-election after serving as chief for 28 years and as a board member for 12 more years.

“The community knows that I have always been very dedicated and will leave no stone unturned to achieve success,” says Maracle. “I don’t like a lot of rhetoric, I like the results. And, you know, you can speak well, but at the end of the day, you are measured by what you accomplish. Not because of what you say, but because of what you do and the results that benefit people. “

Local business owner Andrew Miracle will compete against Maracle as boss.

“Look, look around you,” says Miracle. “Look at what I have done, look at the things that I have created. I have built multi-million dollar businesses and can still do so. I have friends who are billionaires who are willing to help and willing to work with us. Let them work with us. “

Both candidates say they want to prioritize long-term care homes, clean water and job creation as platform points, but have different views on how to be successful.

Maracle says she would also like to focus efforts on affordable housing, funding for postsecondary education, and continuing the “good working relationships” that have been built with the federal and provincial governments.

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“There are many challenges we have to face, ”says Maracle. “And I think if we have a dedicated leader on the council, then progress can be made. I am very proud of the progress we have made in terms of our community. “

Miracle believes that the problem that worries members is the lack of communication between the council and its members. And he says that development within the area would benefit the community through job creation.

“35 years (I was) the only gas station here in the territory,” says Miracle. “Now we have about 30 gas stations. We have enough gas stations, but now we have to start doing other things. “

Complete political platforms for each candidate can be found in the elections. Web pageme.

When asked what voters should consider when casting their vote, here is what the two candidates had to say:

“We are the people who control the government,” says Miracle. “You are the people who should have the floor. You haven’t had this, but you are going to have a voice in this government. “

“If I have your continued confidence, vote for me,” says Maracle. “And let’s all work together and continue to make our community strong and prosperous.”

Members can cast their vote at Quinte Mohawk School from 9 am to 8 pm, or in advance by mail.

While Quinte Mohawk School was closed on Friday for contact tracing and disinfection after a couple of positive COVID cases were identified, members are assured that there is no additional risk to voting at the school on Saturday. .

The results of the vote are expected to be announced Sunday morning.