Change will be coming to Ormstown. Mayor Christine McAleer has announced she will not seek a second term in the upcoming municipal elections.
In an April 30 press release issued by the municipality, McAleer said it has been an honour to have contributed to municipal life within the community, and her decision to step away is largely motivated by personal reasons.
McAleer entered politics with the goal of working for the citizens of Ormstown with a fair and honest approach. She noted that municipal politics comes with its fair share of challenges and, while rewarding, the learning curve can be very long. Municipal governance is complex and can be difficult to navigate and understand for both citizens and elected officials. “I can leave with my head held high, knowing that I have accomplished what I set out to do,” she said.
The mayor explained that while she had many ambitions and plans in mind for Ormstown when she ran for mayor in 2021, she quickly realized that achieving all of these would be difficult. “The administrative team helped me to untangle this puzzle and to understand all the bureaucracy behind it,” she explained, while adding that she appreciated her time working with the municipal employees and learning from their expertise.
As for the elections scheduled for this fall, McAleer encouraged young people to become more involved in municipal politics. “We can only benefit from their ideas, perspectives, and vitality. I especially encourage women to get involved,” she concluded. (SR)