The race to become the next Mayor of Thompson has it's first entrant. 

Councillor Penny Byer has announced that her name will be on the ballot when Thompsonsites go to the polls in October.

“I am honoured to have served two terms in office, one of them as Deputy Mayor, and I have learned much about the challenges of serving at a municipal level,” said Byer. “I feel I am ready to take a stronger position representing our City and helping us grow as a community.”

In addition to being a City Councillor, Byer has served on many boards and committees such as the Thompson Chamber of Commerce (former President), Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre (current Secretary), Boreal Discovery Centre (current Vice-Chair) and Lions Manor 55 (current Vice-Chair).

Councillor Byer first moved to Thompson in 1978 to open the CBC North Country Studio, before moving on to Vale (then Inco) in 1981 in a communications, event planning and community liaison role. 

Byer said that she is running on three main areas: rebuilding a sense of community, developing strong relationships with organizations, business and other levels of government, and diversifying Thompson’s economy.

She said “I’ve always been proud to be part of Thompson and to raise a family here. I want to be a part of making Thompson even better for you, your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There is much to do, and I am ready to get started.”

The election will be taking place on October 24th.