Old habits die hard for Joanne Fralick. 

The career journalist and Bloomfield/Hallowell candidate — one of eight running in Ward 2 Bloomfield Hallowell— has been dealing with complex municipal issues for decades — on the other side of the horseshoe, where the reporters sit. 

With the County facing generational decisions on housing, water, and growth, Fralick is ready to apply her skills in a different way.

“I am willing to listen to every side, everyone, and then support what I think makes sense. I’m going to ask the questions people want answered, and then give them those answers,” Ms. Fralick said.

“I’ve spent my life asking questions and trying to find out more.” Having attended over 500 council meetings, Ms. Fralick is confident she knows which questions matter to constituents.  

“We need to do more public outreach. It would allow our taxpayers to put a face to a name and be more inclined to approach us.”

But don’t expect to see snap decisions on major infrastructure if Ms. Fralick has any say. Getting into anything without a full understanding of how ratepayers will be affected won’t happen. She wants Council to be clear and transparent with residents on how a project will affect their bottom line before granting approval. 

“I’m not going to promote tourism, development, or anything like that if there is any chance it is going to damage the quality of life of people already here,” Ms. Fralick detailed. 

In her mind, there is no better example of an under-considered issue than housing development. When it comes to large developments, Ms. Fralick says council has not satisfied the level of due diligence necessary. 

“I don’t think it was well thought out. I don’t think there’s a plan in place for development, and how to ensure it goes smoothly. I think that needs a good, solid second look.”

As for affordable housing, Fralick would start with redefining what affordable housing actually is. Currently, the definition means it costs 30 percent less than current market value. According to Fralick the formula needs to be entirely re-written, starting with the question, what is an affordable home? 

“It’s not affordable. In this community, the current market value of a detached home averages between $700,000-$800,000. The numbers don’t jive with people making $17 and change an hour, probably seasonally. We need a new formula,” Ms. Fralick said. 

In her years spent covering some of the biggest stories in the County, Fralick is no stranger to hearing out all sides of an issue. 

“It’s ingrained from the first day you take journalism in college or university, neutrality, no favourites. I think it’s going to open up opportunities to ask questions,” Ms. Fralick said. 

Sometimes, facts come with harsh realities, like a potential hike in municipal taxes, or raising the Municipal Accomodation Tax (MAT).

“Anybody who says they are going to hold the line on taxation right now is a liar. Cost of living is going up, tariffs have made everything crazy. Nobody can guarantee we’re going to hold the line on taxes. It’s just too volatile right now. That hits home with one of my biggest priorities, affordability. How do we give people struggling to make ends meet a hand up, not a hand out,” Ms. Fralick said. 

Raising the MAT will help the County squeeze more out of tourism. Ms. Fralick hopes residents will be the beneficiaries of any increase. 

“Tourism brings in millions of dollars every year. I think the MAT can be increased a percent or two and be used to boost up the people who are working minimum wage. We wouldn’t have a tourist industry without them. The people who make the food in kitchens or clean rooms in a hotel. Even if it is full time hours, $17 an hour just doesn’t cut it in our community,” Ms. Fralick said. 

The current living wage in PEC is $21 an hour.