Matheson residents optimistic as by-election to replace ousted council approaches

An important vote is coming for a small Northern Ontario town, east of Timmins.

Some residents of the Township of Black River-Matheson, Ont., say they're hoping an Aug. 12 by-election brings change to the town. It comes after the provincial government declared its mayor and council seats vacant back in April because council was unable to meet for more than 60 days.

The move followed a string of controversies, including a 34.2 per cent tax increase that prompted a petition to Queen's Park and a strike by 14 public works employees. 

One woman whose family has farmed in the town for four generations said Matheson is a great town, but it needs a clean-up.

"Lately, to have the council sort of rashly raise the taxes by 33 per cent so that some of us could hardly afford to stay on the older properties, and just the backbiting and distrust – it's just a bit heartbreaking," said Sharon Nascimento.

"I'm glad there's an election, and I'm glad that there's some really solid citizens stepping up. So I think it's getting better, and I think people are happy."

Dolly-Anne Martin, who has lived in the town since 1972, doesn't go near the town office because "I don't like any of them up there," she said.

"There's a couple I do like, but I certainly don't like the people that's running it."

Martin said she can't afford the increased taxes, and she wants to know where all the extra money's going.

"We need our streets and that all fixed up. They're all just bump bump bump," she said.

"I just want them to fix the township so we can have something half decent in this town."

Martin particularly lamented the lack of shops and activities for seniors, a concern echoed by resident Carole Gravel.

"There's nothing in town. There's nothing," she said. 

"There's no Tim Horton's. There's no motels…My cousin came down from down South, and there's nothing. There's no place for them to stay."