OXFORD, N.S. – Like all small towns in Nova Scotia, their future depends on retaining their youth, and that is the goal of newly-elected councillor Wendy Sweet-Kontuk.
“We need to keep as many young people around here as we can,” said Sweet-Kontuk. “If the jobs are here people will stay here and raise their kids here.”
A special election was called after deputy mayor Tom Kay vacated his seat.
Sweet-Kontuk won the Feb. 2 election with 107 votes, while Alfred King received 74 votes, and Arnold MacDonald 63.
Sweet-Kontuk grew up in Collingwood and worked as a summer student with the Town of Oxford
“I moved into Oxford last year, and when the seat became available I thought it would be a great chance to give it a go.”
She has two boys, a 12-year-old and a 10-year-old, and says Oxford is a ‘great place to live and a great place to raise kids.’
“I’ve had the boys in lots activities over the years, such as hockey and baseball and soccer.”
The 47-year-old has worked fulltime for 20 years helping seniors at VON.
She says she wants to see Oxford ‘flourish and be what it can be.’
“Economic growth would be wonderful, and is something that can happen here,” said Sweet-Kontuk.
