For the first time in 38 years, the city of Sarnia will have a new mayor. Political newcomer Carrie McEachran soundly defeated 11-term Incumbent Mayor Mike Bradley Monday night. She also makes history as the city’s first ever female mayor. “I’m still in shock. I’m not going to lie,” said McEachran, the day after the historic win. “I’ve gotten lots of messages from women in the community, and men that are just really inspired to see a new energy.” One of the main criticisms in how Sarnia had been run is that it has missed the boat when it comes to opportunities for growth. The mayor elect says she’s hoping to reverse that trend with a team of returning councillors and fresh faces. McEachran, who took leave from her job as CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, says the city needs to be open for business. “Many businesses have looked at Sarnia over the past several years and they went elsewhere. And they went elsewhere because there’s land developed, there’s land ready for them. They’re being welcomed with open arms, rather than throwing barriers to their development. It’s, ‘What can we do to help you? What can we do to have you here in Sarnia?’” Last year, Bradley vetoed plans for a new police headquarters, a controversial move at the time. At an estimated cost of $90 million or more, Bradley argued it would be too big a burden on taxpayers. McEachran, who was appointed to the Sarnia Police Service Board this past April, vowed it won’t happen under her watch either. “So, there will not be a new building in the future, for sure. As long as I’m here, there will not be,” she insisted. McEachran won the election with 13,828 votes, almost double that of Bradley who finished second with 7,189 votes. Rounding out the results were Bill Dennis with 5,899 votes, Scott Molson with 2,207 votes, and George Stanko with 114 votes (Stanko withdrew from the race after the official deadline). Returning councillors say the public was ripe for change. “When the community is ready for a change, and not a change as in a cliché change, but a new direction, and new directions of optimistic opportunity, that change happens. And I’m feeling it. I felt it at the campaign trail,” said re-elected city and Lambton County Councillor Brian White. “The thing that you’re going to find with Carrie McEachran is that she bridges both the business and the social service aspects of community life,” said re-elected city and Lambton County Councillor Adam Kilner. Bradley could not be reached for comment Tuesday. On Monday night, he offered congratulations to the mayor-elect via a social media post. McEachran had this to say a short time later in an interview with CTV News from her victory party; “The fact that he was the mayor here for 38 years tells me a whole lot about the respect of the community, and he’s done a great job, and I wish him all the best.”
