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The race for the mayoralty of Petit-Rocher involves two men with no shortage of political experience.

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Pierre Godin

Roland LeBlanc

Incumbent Pierre Godin is facing off against former mayor Roland LeBlanc in the May 12 municipal election. Mr. Godin was mayor of the village from 1975 to 1980 and also served as the Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nigadoo-Chaleur from 1978 to 1991. Mr. LeBlanc served 15 years on Petit-Rocher's village council and one term as mayor, from 2001 to 2004.

"I want to give to Petit-Rocher something solid, something very strong," said Mr. Godin, a retired social worker.

"I've got 15 years experience in municipal politics so that's a main reason they should (vote for me)," said Mr. LeBlanc, a salesperson for Home Furniture in Bathurst.

Since being elected the village's mayor in a 2006 byelection, Mr. Godin said he has helped bring low income housing to the area, a sewage lagoon and the 2009 Acadian Games. He is ready to keep working on other projects, too, if re-elected.

"I would like to put more money into infrastructure of sports. We've already applied to federal and provincial government. The municipality will put in money, too. "I want to help more the Rendez Vous Acadian...and the Festival des Rameurs. I would like to develop...(the vacant) Alpho (fish plant property). We've got an eye on that part of land to maybe develop some tourist attractions there."

Mayor Godin also wants to improve on the mining museum in Petit-Rocher by adding more arts and culture. He also wants to get money for a CN station in Petit-Rocher where passengers can wait for the train.

"We applied to build a CN station. We used to have one a hundred years ago. We have to same plan but (a smaller building) just to give people a place when they're taking the train."

With the village set to host the Acadian Games in 2009, Mr. LeBlanc said that's going to be a big undertaking for the village, and as mayor he would make sure all the work that needs to be done in preparation would get the attention it requires.

"Next year, we'll be the host of Jeux de l'Acadie and it will be (a) main topic...for the next year's council," he said.

Mr. LeBlanc does not have any specific job creation ideas at this point but said employment must be a big priority for the next council and surrounding municipalities. He believes team work is important in order to benefit the entire Chaleur region.

"We should try together to bring jobs to the area," he said.