Sandi Hurcomb
Sandi Hurcomb “I was hoping not to run against him,” Sandi Hurcomb began. The person she is referring to is long time Billings mayor Austin Hunt. “If I win,” Ms. Hurcomb shared, “I will have some regret about it.” “There is potentially a lot of change coming to the community. I definitely want to be part of it. It is what the community wants, not an individual,” said Ms. Hurcomb. With no agenda in mind, Ms. Hurcomb is a firm believer that “you can’t complain unless you’re part of the solution.” People need to vote. Typically one to take on a leadership role, this teacher’s assistant by profession does not back down from a challenge. Ms. Hurcomb feels that a council member who comes to the table with an agenda versus one who comes with an “upbeat positive attitude” will determine how they work together. Having served the past four years as a member of council, Ms. Hurcomb does not feel the role of mayor will be any more time consuming. “The effort is not different,” she said. “I would have the same vote as a councillor with no more power.” The exposure and representation of the township is the one aspect of the job that will be different, she said. “Billings is an open welcoming community,” shared Ms. Hurcomb. With “a nice mix of Islanders and newcomers,” it is well known for being a community where there is always something going on. The fact that there are eight people running for four seats in the upcoming election “is incredible and really speaks to our community,” said Ms. Hurcomb. Ms. Hurcomb, who has been an early supporter of Split Rail Brewery coming to Kagawong, stated “it would fit so well with our community” and wants to be part of a start up business that will enable consumers to enjoy home grown beer. Another project Ms. Hurcomb wants to be part of is the waterfront development project, which is awaiting government funding. As a member of council, Ms. Hurcomb sits on a number of committees including waste management, library and cemetery. “People come here for the community spirit,” shared Ms. Hurcomb. “We’re good looking. The farmland, beaches, escarpment, hiking trails, harbour, the waterfalls, just to name a few.” “We are noted as being the prettiest village, but we are also the sweetest,” she said, “and that is not just in reference to Manitoulin Chocolate Works or Boo Bah Loo, everything is sweet: the view, the welcoming people and the community spirit.” The landfill site, she noted, looks better than it has in the past. “I wish we could do more,” she said. “The (waste management) committee, along with the township staff, need to maintain and keep improving through sorting and diversion through recycling. The committee makes the difference,” Ms. Hurcomb stated. When it comes to technology at the Township office, and more specifically the website, “it needs some work,” shared Ms. Hurcomb. It would be beneficial if residents had the option to pay their taxes online, she added. “Bring it on,” said Ms. Hurcomb of economic development. With a revamped waterfront, the potential to welcome small business and add retail space is very attractive. “Members of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) have done a great service,” she continued. “It is not their responsibility to create jobs but to encourage businesses and support the local economy.” It would be a shame, she shared, to let the (potential) brewery slip through our fingers. There is a large cultural base in the community, said Ms. Hurcomb, and EDC has some great ideas in the works. “The more the merrier,” the candidate for mayor said when it comes to tourists and tourism in the community. There is no industry in Kagawong, “Tourism is the only generator of potential jobs other than artists.” Seventeen years after moving to Billings, Ms. Hurcomb said it’s the only place she ever wanted to live. With the mail-in vote, “it is a new game. It’s no longer about who you know, it is anybody’s race.”
