Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins says he’s grateful for an opportunity to continue the work set out by the last council – particularly projects related to infrastructure, housing and economic development.
Jenkins was re-elected Monday night in a close race with challenger Scott Munroe. Of the six councillors elected, four were already on council, so there won’t be much change at Town Hall.
Many city projects, like the Main Street Makeover or the new library-housing development, are only just getting underway. So Jenkins says he’s pleading with residents to be patient, as these projects get completed.
“We have a plan, it’s been in place for a while,” Jenkins says. “We have to stay the course. We are seeing the results. They’re incremental results. They’re not going to be dramatic.
“You have to be patient, be persistent. The results are coming. They’re here and even more work will come.”
Jenkins adds that now’s an exciting time to be in Bancroft, as more people are choosing to live in and invest in rural communities. He says because Bancroft is the hub for the whole North Hastings region, it’s in a great position to see more economic growth.
He also says improving the town’s financial situation will continue to be a priority, as he moves into a second full term.
In the past term, many housing and infrastructure projects got underway. They’re intended to increase population and business growth, which can bring in new revenue for the town.
Jenkins hopes that work will continue because he wants to keep Bancroft growing, without having to raise municipal property tax rates.
“There are a lot of challenges out there,” he says. “You’ve got the extreme high costs of materials. You have rising interest rates. Getting a project approved is one thing; getting a shovel in the ground and getting it through to the end still takes a lot of effort.
“The financial position of the town has increased dramatically and we must continue on that path. We have to do our best to keep tax increases down.”
Jenkins says the past council has worked hard to bring down Bancroft’s debt. And he says the town’s now in a position where it doesn’t have to borrow money regularly.