Claude Levac to challenge Lamadeleine for mayor’s seat in Casselman

Long-time Casselman Mayor Conrad Lamadeleine is going to have some competition in the upcoming municipal election.

Claude Levac, a former educator and school principal, has announced his plans to challenge Lamadeleine for the mayor's seat. Lamadeleine recently announced his plans to seek re-election in the October 25 election after taking the summer to "think about my decision and my future."

Levac, who served as an educator for some 30 year, said he polled a lot of people to find out what they felt the qualities of a good mayor were.

"I know a lot of people here and politics has always interested me," he said in a recent press release. "This is my way of giving to my community. After polling several people about the qualities of a good mayor, I realized I have these qualities."

Stressing that he will run a positive campaign, Levac said he will use his experience to woo voters. After living in St-Isidore for 37 years, Levac is certain he knows the "interests and the needs of the community quite well."

Levac said co-operation, team work, communication and transparency are what make a good government. He underlines the need for everyone - council members, employees, community groups, business people and developers - to work together.

Although he does not want to criticize the current council, Levac does think it's time for a change.

"The current council has done great work, but it's time for some new blood," he noted. "Time to change things up a bit."

Though he vows not to make any promises "I can't keep", Levac said there are quite a few issues he feels are important to voters.

He vowed not to increase taxes any more than the cost of living; to work on the raising Casselman's visibility in an effort to attract more tourists and to bring his concerns about the environment and the quality of the water in the South Nation River to the council table.

Levac said he would also lobby to freeze the mayor's salary because this is one job "you don't do for money."