Tori Weldon
for
Tantramar Ward 3 Councillor
Vote May 11
I'm a journalist, communications professional and small business owner who has spent years covering municipal governments in New Brunswick. My family has lived in Sackville for generations, I've lived here most of my life, I’m raising my kids here. I’ve watched Tantramar grow and change, and I care deeply about where it's headed.
I'm not running for council because I have all the answers. I'm running because I know the right questions to ask, I know where to look for good information, and I understand the importance of being honest with people about what our options are.
Good local government isn't glamorous. It's reading the reports. It's calling the engineer before the meeting. It's putting out a clear statement when things go wrong instead of going quiet.
The residents of Sackville deserve a council that does the work, consistently, transparently, and with genuine care for this community's future.
I'd be honoured to earn your vote.
The Platform
1. Smart, Responsible Growth
As a longtime CBC journalist, I've spent hundreds of hours watching municipal councils in action. I know my way around a budget, what a functioning council looks like and I've seen what happens when problems are left to fester.
Take the ongoing troubles with the fire department. Tantramar needs accountability and follow-through.
Amalgamation was difficult to navigate, and our council handled it well. We don’t have to look far for examples of other municipalities that didn’t fare so well. That's worth acknowledging.
But we need to move beyond managing day-to-day procedures. Councillors must come to the table prepared: having read the materials, asked the right questions in advance, and done the homework before the meeting starts. Council sessions are for hearing new perspectives, not for learning about the issue for the first time.
Tantramar is growing fast. Downtown is changing. We're seeing and feeling the effects of this. We need to make decisions before decisions get made for us.
2. Open and Honest Communication
As a journalist, I know firsthand how frustrating it is when institutions go quiet. The public deserves to know everything that can be shared, promptly and clearly.
We're fortunate in Sackville to have local journalism: CHMA, the New Wark Times, and CBC Moncton. But even with this coverage, many residents still turn to social media for answers, where rumours and misinformation can spread unchecked.
Council needs to be the trusted source. That means being responsive, being civil, and communicating proactively, not waiting for questions to pile up before speaking. When people trust their local government, the whole community works better.
3. Experienced, Prepared Leadership
Municipal government affects so much of our daily lives. Garbage pickup, fire protection, infrastructure, parks and trails, to name a few. We need experienced community members in those council seats.
My background gives me a distinct edge. I have spent hundreds of hours covering municipal council meetings. I understand how to ask hard questions, find answers, and communicate clearly with the public. I know how to hold institutions accountable because I've done it professionally for years. Now I want to do it from the inside.
A Council That Does the Work
Tantramar is growing, and changing.
Let’s do it right.
I'm running to bring knowledge, preparation, and genuine accountability to my seat at the table.
What I’ll Do
Plan ahead for growth and change: Engage the community on development, infrastructure, and environmental priorities before decisions arrive at the door, not after.
Arrive prepared, every time: Read materials, consult experts, and ask questions before meetings , so council time is spent on informed deliberation, not catching up.
See issues through to resolution: Track outstanding reports and commitments, and push for timely action so residents don't have to fight for follow-up.
Communicate openly and proactively: Share what council is doing and why, in plain language, through multiple channels not just when problems force the issue.
