Newcomer enters mayoral race

By JENNIFER BURDEN, THE PACKET AND TIMES May 26 2010
Mary Bax has entered the race for mayor of Ramara Township.
The Washago resident had been thinking about becoming involved in politics for a while after helping a local federal candidate on his campaign two elections ago.
“This year I decided to jump in and go for it,” she said. “I want to get involved and make a difference locally.”
Bax, owner of Bax Financial Services, a bookkeeping company for small businesses in the area, opted for the mayoral position instead of a councillor because there were already two candidates in her ward.
Marilyn Brooks and Bill White have already filed their nomination papers for Ward 1.
“I decided the two of them could fight it out locally,” Bax said.
“I don’t believe in going to a different ward and running there. I feel as if you should represent the ward you live in.”
The 50-year-old does not have previous political experience aside from volunteering on the election campaign, but said she keeps abreast of all local issues, volunteers in the community, and attends council meetings on a regular basis.
If elected as mayor, Bax would like to “bridge the gap” she believes exists between the two old townships of Rama and Mara.
She did not identify any major issues she would like to tackle in Ramara.
“The only issues I have concern with are ones that will be dealt with before the election,” she said.
“I just feel there is different things we can be doing in the township and I just want to get out in the Ramara Township and see what the people want.”
She is in the process of going door-to-door asking residents what they would like to see in a mayor.
“I think I’m a go-getter. I really enjoy working hard,” she said. “It wouldn’t take me long to get up to speed if I were elected as mayor.”
Bax has two children and twin grandchildren.
In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking on the Black River, reading and knitting.