When it comes to running a political campaign, Lisa Mullin is well versed. She already had three under her belt, running for the District 11 council seat in 2004, and as a Liberal candidate in the 2006 and 2009 provincial elections. Now she’s in her fourth campaign, aiming to become the city councillor for District […]
Feleshia Chandler
On the phone with Spryfield’s number-one fan Kristen Hollery, District 11
“I think Spryfield is the greatest community in the world,” says lifelong resident Kristen Hollery. “We are well-connected. We have a lot of resources that people don’t necessarily know, and we work together really well.” The area also gets a bad rap sometimes, but Hollery hopes to change that by running for District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect […]
On the phone with affordable housing advocate Matt Conrad, District 11
Ever since he was 14 years old, Matt Conrad knew he wanted to run for city council. “I couldn’t wait to vote and I was always really involved,” he says. Conrad never considered running for a specific party—for him it’s always been about city council and representing District 11 (Spryfield—Sambro Loop—Prospect Road). “I find that […]
On the phone with affordable housing advocate Ryan Burris, District 4
When Ryan Burris was deciding how to give back to his community, it was a toss-up between running for council and starting a not-for-profit affordable housing organization. “I thought I could get more done on council short-term,” says the 34-year-old stepfather of two about his decision to run in District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal). Burris shops, […]
On the phone with public servant Jessica Quillan, District 4
Jessica Quillan says she never backs down—and she’s not about to start if she’s elected councillor for District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal). She is ready to improve her community at a higher level, and although politics was never at the forefront of her mind, she says if she wants to make change, politics comes with the […]
On the phone with retired teacher John Stewart, District 4
John Stewart retired from teaching after 34 years, but he’s not ready to give up public service. With current councillor Lorelei Nicoll deciding not to run for re-election, the race for District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal) is wide open, and Stewart decided to join it as a political first-timer. “This looks like it was the next […]
On the phone with fitness professional Trish Purdy, District 4
Four years ago, when Trish Purdy started her divinity degree at Acadia University, she knew her end goal was to help her community in some way. When she saw that her current councillor Lorelei Nicoll decided not to run in this election, Purdy felt now was her time. “To represent and advocate for my community […]
On the phone with son-of-a-councillor Chris Mont, District 4
Politics is nothing new to Chris Mont. Besides growing up in a household with a history of public service—his father Stephen was a two-term Halifax County councillor—Mont himself ran in the 2017 provincial election with the Progressive Conservative party. So when people asked him if he was running for council, he figured there was no […]
On the phone with long-time area resident Kevin Foran, District 4
“Cole Harbour is a great place,” says Kevin Foran about the town where he’s lived for 46 of his 50 years. With the district’s current municipal councillor, Lorelei Nicoll, retiring from politics instead of running this election, Foran was inspired to throw his hat into the ring for District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal). “I have lots […]
On the phone with barbecue sauce entrepreneur Jerome Lagmay, District 4
Proud Phillipino immigrant Jerome Lagmay has been a community advocate since he arrived in Halifax nearly nine years ago. While he frequently sends money back to the Philippines, he’s also been heavily involved in volunteer work for several years in his community. That’s part of why he chose to run for the District 4 (Cole […]
On the phone with author and anti-racism advocate Darryl Johnson, District 4
Darryl Johnson was first inspired to run for city council four years ago, but it didn’t pan out. This year, he says it’s “perfect timing” to vie for District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal). “Being an African Nova Scotian male, what with the George Floyd movement and social justice movements and Black Lives Matter, I figured I […]
On the phone with political team-builder Marisa DeMarco, District 4
Even before she got involved in politics by working for a provincial MLA, Marisa DeMarco knew she wanted to help people. “I’ve always been very passionate about community development and bringing people together to make change,” says the candidate for Halifax council’s District 4 (Cole Harbour–Westphal) seat. She’s worked with women facing domestic violence and […]

