A candidate from last fall’s provincial election is looking for a seat around the council horseshoe.
Adam Salesse — a former independent candidate in the riding of Saint John Harbour — is one of seven people running in the Ward 3 byelection.
Salesse said he thinks the city is on the up-and-up, pointing to the strategic priorities established by council several years ago.
“For me, personally, with the business degree and the background that I have, I think my biggest contribution will be towards fiscal responsibility and helping to grow the GDP of Saint John,” said Salesse.
Saint John’s Financial Challenges
Salesse said the city’s biggest financial problem is its $250-million debt, which he would like to see eliminated within five years.
But Salesse said he wants to avoid adding more taxes to make it happen.
“The way that we should increase the tax revenue, which is in line with what the city is already pursuing, is by increasing the population of Saint John, which increases the tax base, and that way we can keep the tax rates the same,” he said.
Salesse said council is on the right track by working on a 10-year financial plan, but he believes the city should also have an “optimistic” five-year plan.
The University of New Brunswick graduate said he has several ideas to help improve Saint John, which include demanding more start-up loans for microbusinesses.
“When a person opens up a business, the city will receive money from electricity, the water, property tax,” Salesse said. “It also increases tourism and gives a reason for people to visit Saint John and spend money in Saint John.”
Voters will head to the polls on Monday.
