Interview with Shelley Judge – candidate for TBL mayor

By Francine Bastien

Shelley Judge was elected as councillor for West Brome–Iron Hill in 2021. She made her career in education and is now a daycare educator at Knowlton Academy.
She is a permanent resident of Brome Lake since 1993.

Several priorities

Strategic and Urban Planning

Strategic and urban planning are the single most pressing issues for Shelly Judge if she becomes mayor on November 2.

“We have to make sure there is uniformity in our plan, that’s why we are putting multi-unit construction on hold for a while in Knowlton until all the elements of the plan fit together. In the next few months, I believe the new council will be able to work on it and finalize it.’’

Water Supply

Another priority issue for the councillor is water supply — there has to be enough water.
It is a costly priority but an essential one.

Urban Planning: Past Decisions and Future Vision

Considering that she was on council when decisions were made about the controversial buildings along Knowlton Road across from the IGA, could it not happen again if she becomes mayor?

“Not with a more robust urban plan to work with and a more cohesive council that is more open to discussion, even if there are disagreements. Right now, I don’t always feel heard, and that is what my campaign will be about. I want to change things that I am not comfortable with and silence is one of them. I want to go further to make a difference.’’

What difference does she want to make for citizens of the town?

“I want to continue improving the roads and the general infrastructure of the town.’’

• She wants the library project to come to fruition — it goes hand in hand with the improvement of Coldbrook Park. It is an important project for the town.
• The revamping of downtown Knowlton is a work in progress that needs more consultation before getting started.
• The new fire station is a long-overdue project that has to be done — but not at any cost.
  In 2017 it was estimated at around $7.5 million. Now it’s close to $12 million.

Why should voters pick Shelley Judge?

“Women build communities, men build businesses. What we need here is a community, not a business.’’

She wants to create a new climate at town hall where all feel heard and respected. Judge sees the need for better communication with those who recently chose to live here.

“It’s not always easy but we have to find a happy medium so that we can all work together.’’

Rapid Fire Questions

Would you do more to enforce bylaws?

“We need to do better with the resources we have, with the inspections and the permits, we need to be more vigilant.’’

Would you improve police services in TBL?

“Yes, the services we get now for $2.7 million a year are unacceptable. I don’t know what I can do but I will try.’’

How would you deal with the growing number of incivilities?

“If we had a more open policy, were more transparent, there would be less frustration expressed towards council and the town.’’

Should TBL remain a bilingual municipality even if the number of anglophones is declining?

“Yes and I will work hard to keep our bilingual status.’’

As mayor, Shelley Judge would work at making everyone feel heard, respected and represented. And, as she says in her campaign platform:

“She is ready to bring energy, empathy, effectiveness and a caring vision to the mayor’s office.’’