Image

Graham wants to put experience gained in homeland to work in Petrolia

September 5, 2018

Nicee Graham thinks she can contribute to her adopted hometown.
The 48 year-old mother of five is running for a councillors’ seat in Petrolia. While she’s never been elected to public office, she has worked in municipal politics in her native Brazil. She’s hoping that experience will translate in Petrolia.
Do you have any political experience?
“I worked in Brazil in a political office,” she says. “I was working with the mayor in my town in Brazil. I worked for five years there.”
She says municipal government in Brazil is “pretty much the same” as in Ontario.
And she says she enjoyed being part of the mayor’s staff.
“I found it interesting that you can make things happen; you’re working for the good of the people and you do have the responsibilty of representing the taxpayers’ money…you have purpose to work in a way people will be happy.”
What made you decide you want to run for council?
To be a voice of people of people who cannot be there. I have the time and the energy and the creativity to do things.”
What is the biggest issue in the election in Petrolia?
“I don’t think there is one big issue or a big purpose. I look at it as an opportunity to be there and, again, represent people…I’m not concerned about those issues, they will always be there, whether I’m there or not.
What do you bring to council that other people may not?
I will have time on my hands right now while kids are at school and independent – I’ll have time…I’m not afraid to be there. People say, ‘I can’t do it because I’m not available to be there or I’m not educated enough or I don’t have time, but I think I bring that, too.”
If you are elected, would you vote to have the Fleming report on the actions of the former CAO released?
I think people need to know, I think I would vote to release it.
Do you favour moving town hall out of Victoria Hall as suggested to council by a consultant?
I would have to look at that issue.

Share This

Image
Front Page

MPP asks Integrity Commissioner to investigate links between Ford and York1

May 10, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent A Liberal MPP is asking the province’s Integrity Commissioner to investigate the ties between the Ford government and the owners of York1 Environmental Services. It comes after the province reneged on a promise to force an Environmental Assessment of the controversial York1 Environmental project near Dresden. Ted Hsu, the MPP for Kingston-Frontenac, has written a letter to

Read More

Image
Front Page

Vanni receives Canada’s highest volunteer honour

May 9, 2025

Cathy Dobson/The Independent The executive director of Sarnia/Lambton’s largest food bank, shelter and soup kitchen has received national recognition for the volunteering he does outside of work hours. Myles Vanni who operates The Inn of the Good Shepherd, accepted the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, at a recent ceremony at Rideau

Read More

Image
Front Page

Scientist suspects virus in massive fish die-off from Lambton Shores to Bruce Pennisula

May 9, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Jim and Marlene MacGuire have never seen anything like it. The Ipperwash couple were among the two dozen volunteers at the Lambton Shores beach Friday morning, cleaning up thousands of dead fish, many of them Gizzard Shad. The dead fish started to wash up on the Ipperwash sand about two weeks ago, says Jim. “I walk every

Read More

Image
Front Page

Ajax man arrested in Lambton drug investigation

May 9, 2025

Lambton OPP say two people – one from Thedford, the other from Ajax – have been charged after a drug investigation that started in March. OPP released details of the April 30 arrests Thursday. Police say around 9 pm, officers from the Lambton Street Crime Unit and uniformed officers stopped a vehicle on Deacon Street in Thedford as part of

Read More