Five questions with Linda Seccaspina, candidate for Carleton Place council in the 2026 municipal election

Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Lanarkist will be asking the same five questions of all council candidates in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth and Mississippi Mills in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 4, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from candidate Linda Seccaspina.

1) Tell us a little bit about your professional background, including any prior municipal or other political participation, as well as about you, personally. What made you want to run for council?

My name is Linda Seccaspina, and I am running for council because I believe that good communities are built by people who care enough to get involved. My professional background is a little unconventional. I spent much of my career owning my own business for 30 years on Rideau as a fashion designer. After I closed my store, I went into communications: writing, research and history, developing a deep appreciation for the stories, people and places that make a community unique. I have written extensively about local history and continue to believe that knowing where we came from helps us make better decisions about where we are going.

I was also actively involved in municipal government before I ran for council, and have had the privilege of serving on council for eight years. That experience has given me a firsthand understanding of the responsibilities, challenges and opportunities that come with municipal decision-making. It has also taught me that listening is just as important as speaking.

Personally, I am curious, energetic and probably incapable of walking past an interesting local story without wanting to know more. At my age I am certainly not ready to sit quietly in a rocking chair. I want to keep working, writing, asking questions and contributing. I am running because I love this community, I care about its future, and I believe experience, common sense, compassion and a good sense of humour all have a place around the council table.

2) How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?

I have never believed that municipal politics should be about wearing a particular political jersey. At the local level, I see myself as an independent, community-first candidate who is willing to listen, ask questions and make decisions based on what I believe is best for our community.

I respect that people come to the council table with different political philosophies, priorities and life experiences. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, and I certainly don’t believe a council should become an echo chamber. Good government requires discussion, compromise and, occasionally, the willingness to say “I may have been wrong.”

My political philosophy is fairly simple: be fiscally responsible, treat people fairly, make decisions transparently and remember that behind every policy, budget number and planning application are real people who live here. I am not interested in importing federal or provincial partisan politics into municipal government. Roads, infrastructure, housing, accessibility, responsible development, community services and the character of our community don’t come with party labels- it needs to be taken care of one way or the other. I would rather be judged by my record, my questions, my willingness to listen and the work I do than by a political affiliation. For me, local politics should always be local.

3) What are the three most common issues voters bring up to you as you campaign?

The three issues I hear most often while speaking with residents are responsible growth, affordability and infrastructure.

First, people want growth, but they want it done thoughtfully. They want to know that new development makes sense for the community, that our infrastructure can support it, and that we don’t lose the character and sense of place that makes our community special.

Second is affordability. People are feeling the pressure of higher costs everywhere—from housing and taxes to everyday expenses. Seniors, young families and people trying to establish themselves in the community are all asking how we can keep our communities livable for the people who already call them home.

Third is infrastructure and basic municipal services. Residents want roads, sidewalks, drainage, recreation facilities and other essential services maintained properly, and that costs money. They also want accessibility taken seriously so that everyone can participate fully in community life. What strikes me most is that these issues are connected. Growth affects infrastructure. Infrastructure affects taxes. Affordability affects whether families and seniors can remain here.

4) What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?

The answers are basically the answers to number three. In my opinion, the three most pressing issues locally are responsible growth, infrastructure and affordability.

First, responsible growth. Our community is changing, and growth can bring opportunities, but it needs to be managed carefully. We need to ensure that development is supported by adequate roads, water, wastewater, transportation and other services, while protecting the character and livability that attracted people here in the first place.

Second, infrastructure. We need to plan beyond the next budget cycle. Roads, sidewalks, drainage, recreational facilities and municipal buildings require ongoing investment and maintenance. Accessibility also needs to be part of that conversation. A community works best when everyone can move through it and participate in it.

Third, affordability. Municipal government cannot solve every affordability challenge, but we can make thoughtful decisions about taxes, spending, development and services. We need to be particularly mindful of seniors, families and residents who are finding it increasingly difficult to remain in the community they call home.

These issues are interconnected. If we grow without planning, infrastructure suffers. If we spend without thinking ahead, taxpayers pay the price. My goal would be to bring common sense, fiscal responsibility and a long-term perspective to those decisions.

5) What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?

What sets me apart is the combination of experience, curiosity, community knowledge and a genuine love of where we live. I have already had the privilege of serving on council, so I understand that municipal government is not simply about having good ideas. It is about listening, asking difficult questions, understanding the details and sometimes making decisions that are not easy. I bring that experience with me, along with the perspective of someone who has spent years researching, writing about and documenting our local history.

I am also a communicator. I believe people deserve to understand why decisions are being made—not just what the decision is. I like talking to people, hearing different viewpoints and, perhaps most importantly, I am not afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Being a senior, I bring a lifetime of experience but still have the enthusiasm and curiosity of someone who wants to keep learning. I am honest, independent-minded and willing to challenge ideas respectfully when I think something deserves another look. And I have a sense of humour. I think that matters, too. Council is serious business, but you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to take your responsibilities seriously. I am running because I still have work to do—and I care deeply about this community.