LeBlanc Pays $3 Debt To City Hall

When a recent article in The Call highlighted a number of candidates for municipal elections that owe the city money, Kathryn LeBlanc was surprised to see her name make the list. 

Leblanc, a city resident with more than 10 years experience in the accounting field, was unaware that, as the article reported, she owed an $8 motor vehicle tax. Not one for lateness, LeBlanc was at City Hall just days after seeing the article. When she arrived to pay the $8, she was told the amount due was only $2.83.

"As a citizen and taxpayer I know the struggles we all face," said LeBlanc. "Many residents are facing having to pay bills owed that are much higher than that, and they are facing the decision of having to pay another tax bill or fee; or put food on the table or pay for their families other basic needs. I am not exempt from these decisions either."

LeBlanc's experience in the financial sector has made her uniquely prepared to face city's fiscal challenges. She worked as a Project Accountant for 8 years at an environmental company, working with multimillion dollar clean-up projects. There, LeBlanc was tasked with responding to emergency sites prepared with everything needed to begin containment within 24 hours. Currently, she works as an Accounts Payable Supervisor. 

"The citizens and taxpayers, my employers, are deciding whether to hire me for this job, they can be assured I will work hard, I will be honest and fair, and most importantly make choices that best serve and represent my employers - the hard working citizens and taxpayers of this great city," she said.

LeBlanc ran for City Council in the 2009 election and came in 8th, missing the win by a narrow margin. During her time in Woonsocket she has been involved with school PTO, serving as secretary and treasurer and is involved with the New England Bully Breed Club (promoting responsible ownership and fighting against breed specific legislation) along with other members of the Woonsocket community.

She joined the Woonsocket Taxpayer Coalition in 2010 as an Executive Committee Member and Fundraising Co-chair. She is a member of the local Elks and most recently, in 2011, she served on the .

"We need a new way here in the city," Leblanc said. "While we are so busy in react mode we are not planning for the future. You know what they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?"

Leblanc feels Woonsocket needs decisive leadership in 2011 and that residents are ready for a change. "I am tired of hearing 'should,' 'probably' or 'maybe.' How about 'it is' or 'it isn't,' 'we can' or 'we can't,' 'we will' or 'we won't?" she said. "Will we vote change in this election? I will. Will we stand up for our rights and our city? I will. Do we care what will happen for our future generations who grow up and live here, raise their families here, work and grow businesses here? I do!"