In the final local news day before Monday’s election, CHMA brings you its last day of candidate interviews ahead of Tantramar’s municipal election on May 11.
Local journalist Clinton Davis met up with Ward 1 Candidate Jason Holmes at Dorchester Consolidated School, ahead of Monday’s vote.
Listen to the interview below.
This interview has been edited for clarity
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, I wasn’t born here. I was born in Alberta but my parents moved back a year later, so I’ve been basically raised here my whole life. My parents were raised here, my grandparents, my great-grandparents.
I went to school in Dorchester. My kids have gone to school in Dorchester. I’ve dedicated 33 years to the Dorchester Fire and Rescue, serving the community and the outlying community LSD areas, which are now all part of Ward 1 in Tantramar.
What made you decide to run in this year’s municipal election?
Well, I had run before under the village of Dorchester. Unfortunately, I wasn’t elected, which is okay. They got a good candidate.
The fire department has given me a lot to see and a lot to learn, and now I’m just looking for that next step to help the community in other ways. The fire department helps in the prevention of health and safety, but now I’m looking to do more, so with the schools and the roads and things like that.
I want Dorchester to have a good, strong voice. I grew up here. I have lots of connections here, so I believe I have the drive to get things done that the people of Dorchester would like to see done.
And, if you are chosen and elected for this year’s municipal election, what is it that you hope to accomplish?
Well, there are lots of mountains to climb. There’s big mountains and little mountains.
Some of our big mountains are the federal institution, the penitentiary. That’s a huge mountain to climb. But we have many small mountains to climb. Our road improvements, good parks, safe parks for our children, sidewalks that are up to date and in good repair for our students to walk to school.
Of course, our roads, and the main thing is our school. Our school is a fantastic school. I think if I would’ve been in a bigger school, I may not have done as well as I have in a small school.
And our small businesses. There are some that I didn’t even know were here. Dorchester has a fair amount of small businesses that we should be supporting and advertising ourselves to get more families in here, and get more children in here, because Dorchester really is a great place to live.
Thank you so much for your time and chatting with me ahead of this year’s election. We’re wishing you the best come Monday.
Thank you. Hopefully if I get in, I’m going to do my best. The only promise that any candidate can really make is that you’ll do the best you can for the constituents.
Ward 1 voters will choose their Councillor and Mayor on May 11th, 2026. To review all candidates we could schedule interviews with, visit CHMA’s Tantramar Municipal Election 2026 page.
Clinton Davis is a community journalist and audio producer covering the people, events, and ideas shaping the Tantramar region.
