Gerry Cormier beats cancer and 4 rivals to win re-election in Miramichi

Gerry Cormieris looking forward to completingsome unfinished work after being elected mayor in Miramichi for the third consecutive term.

"I was hoping to win by a few hundred votes I would have beenhappy atthatbut people gave me quite a mandate," he told Information Morning Moncton on Wednesday.

Cormier was worried heading into the election on Mondaywithfour other candidates running against him.

Hislist of opponents included John Foran, the city'sdeputy mayor and aformer provincial cabinet minister,Keith Kenny, Coun. Peggy McLean and Ren Smith.

I didn't know if I was going to live let alone run for council.- Miramichi MayorGerry Cormier

In the end, Cormierwon easily with4,152 votes, which was2,614 more than his closest competitor, McLean.

Cormierattributes the large number of candidates for mayor this year to the fact that Miramichi is "on the upswing," withthe Public Service Pay Centre building nearly complete, airport improvements and the re-opening of a mill byArbec Forest Products.

"I think over the last while things have changed here on the Miramichi," he said.

"The community college has expanded, we've had three new schoolsbeing built here soI think people seen what we didand I just want to finish it."

'Things weren't going so well for me'

During the past year Cormierfought cancer, and didn't think he would be able to continue asMiramichi's mayor.

"When I was in Moncton at the hospital and things weren't going so well for me, I didn't know if I was going to live let alone run for council," he said.

Information Morning - Moncton4:44Mayor Gerry Cormier

The mayor of Miramichi is re-elected having beaten four challengers... and cancer."I feel some good today to be cancer free and to be strong... this is one of the biggest battles that I've ever fought."

Cormier saidhis health is good and he's looking forward to working with his eight-member council, which includes fiveincumbents and three new members.

He hopes to see the federal pay centre employees in their new building during his mandate.

Cormier also wants to find a way to re-open a plywoodmill and attract more retailers and restaurants to his city.

"If I could do that I would be happy with my term," hesaid.