By Chris Lewis/September 16, 2021
Denise French my be making her rounds around the city knocking on doors and asking for support, but the veteran provincial civil servant says she still doesn’t consider herself a politician.
French is one of 12 people seeking election to Mount Pearl council. There are six seats available, besides the mayor’s position.
French prefers to still call herself a citizen, and one who loves her city.
She has been thinking of running for council for about a year, she said, and when the call for nominations came, she had to decide.
“’Why not me?’” she remembers asking herself. “I love this city, I love the people in this city, and I want to fight for the people in this city no matter what they need.”
French has been involved with the Girl Guides for over 20 years, an experience she said has helped get to know the city and its issues.
One of the big things on that list is accessibility.
Through her involvement as a volunteer with the Frosty Festival, French took a course on accessibility in cities. She said she is committed to making the lives of people with disabilities easier.
“That doesn’t just mean physical disabilities. You don’t need to be in a wheelchair to benefit from accessibility upgrades in the city,” French said.
She pointed to the traffic lights along Ruth Avenue as an example, which are sounding lights for those who are visually impaired.
“But, that’s only one intersection,” she said. “I don’t know why that can’t be at other intersections around the city. These are things that can be done so easily.”
French admitted her first run at politics has been a learning curve. But she’s discovered she enjoys the door-to-door campaigning.
“I post everything online when I hit the streets. I’m getting pictures taken with residents and having lovely conversations. That’s absolutely what I’ve been enjoying the most,” French said.
Some of those conversations have opened her eyes to even more issues around the city, French added, including things that seem to be common to the minds of most residents.
“Speeding is a big one,” she said. “Taxes is another issue that people speak about a lot. They want their taxes to stay where they are, and that’s something everyone can relate to, I’m sure. Those are all things I’m keeping on my mind going into this.”
French admitted some questions catch her off guard.
“Someone asked me the other day what the tallest building in Mount Pearl was … I had no idea!” she said.
French said the campaign has been an enjoyable experience so far and she is looking forward to having the chance to apply what she’s learned at the council table.
