Today in our municipal election coverage, Moose News talks to Elliot Lake mayor Rick Hamilton. Hamilton says one of the biggest challenges the city faces is restoring the retail sector after the collapse of the Algo Centre Mall two years ago. Hamilton wants to create a mayor’s task force which would help ensure the completion of the Pearson Plaza which would include a department store component. He says that’s critical because not having the plaza is affecting other retailers since many people are shopping out of town. Hamilton also says the economic development coordinator recently hired by the city is now working with business to bring stability back. And Hamilton is putting to rest a rumour that Elliot Lake’s population is shrinking because people are leaving in droves. He says a study this past summer shows the city’s population was stable to the end of last year.
