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Jeffery Cooke, a lifelong resident of Hillsborough in Fundy Albert, is one of two candidates running for councillor in Ward 3 in the 2026 Fundy Albert municipal election. With a background in small business and community involvement, Cooke says he is stepping forward after years of observing and engaging with local issues.
Jeffery Cooke, a lifelong resident of Hillsborough in Fundy Albert, is one of two candidates running for councillor in Ward 3 in the 2026 Fundy Albert municipal election. With a background in small business and community involvement, Cooke says he is stepping forward after years of observing and engaging with local issues.
Background and Experience
Cooke has spent most of his life working in the Hillsborough area, beginning employment at a young age and later becoming a business owner. After early work in meat packing and electronic services, he launched his own company before transitioning into retail.
In 2002, he and his wife purchased a local convenience store, later expanding operations to include a second location. They operated both businesses for approximately two decades before selling in 2023. He now runs White Rock Cabins, a small tourism accommodation venture.
“I’ve lived here my entire life… I haven’t moved very far,” Cooke said, which gives him a unique perspective on the community.
Community Involvement and Leadership
Cooke has been involved in several community initiatives, including coaching minor hockey, serving on boards, and co-founding a youth soccer program that continues today.
He describes his leadership style as hands-on and flexible.
“I expect a lot… but I’m willing to bend… [when employees were out last minute]...I would cover the shift… mopping the floors,” he said, reflecting on managing staff in his businesses and his hands-on style. He shares that this mindset would roll over into his hands-on approach to service on municipal council.
Approach to Conflict
Cooke said his approach to conflict is rooted in listening and collaboration.
“You have to listen to both sides… and try to make a group decision that’s going to work,” adding that while he is open to compromise in most cases, he would stand firm on matters he considers moral issues.
Decision to Run
Cooke said his decision to run came after years of attending council meetings and expressing concerns.
“I’ve complained long enough that I figured I better try to do something about it,” he said.
He noted that being retired from the stores, and being in semi-retirement with adequate supports in place for his business, has given him the availability needed to commit to the role.
Platform and Priorities
Cooke does not describe his campaign as platform-driven but emphasizes the need for strong financial oversight and securing external funding.
“I want to look at the books… find if there’s waste… and… find money,” he said, reflecting on the need to advocate for more provincial and federal funding.
He highlighted disparities in provincial funding compared to other municipalities and said addressing this would be a key focus.
Time Commitment
Cooke said he now has the flexibility to dedicate sufficient time to council responsibilities. “I feel I can find a lot more time… and justify it to the constituents,” he said.
Training and Governance
Cooke supports access to training but not mandatory requirements.“I don’t like the word mandatory… but I really do think it should be made available,” he said, noting that in business you take training that is needed to be successful.
He acknowledged limited familiarity with the New Brunswick Local Governance Act but said he intends to study.
Transparency and Conflicts of Interest
Cooke described conflicts of interest as a reality in small communities and emphasized transparency and accountability.
“Everybody knows everybody… there are going to be conflicts,” he said.
He said councillors should disclose conflicts and step aside when necessary.
“If it affects me or my close family, then I have to step aside,” he added.
Environment and Natural Resources
Cooke emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship while supporting balanced development.
“We have to embrace it… but… we have to have industry too,” he said, noting needing information to make decisions and how sustainable foresting can not only care for the environment but create employment.
He expressed clear opposition to glyphosate spraying. “I’m against it… I would much rather employ some people (to care for the forests and best utilize it’s resources)… than spray,” he said.
Housing, Poverty, and Cost of Living
Cooke identified affordability as a growing concern and linked solutions to funding and development.
“We cannot start taxing people out of their houses,” he said.
He supports encouraging new housing development, including affordable units, and attracting younger entrepreneurs.
Economic Development
Cooke said municipal government should actively support new businesses while avoiding duplication of existing services.
“We don’t need duplication. We need new,” he said, offering examples of how he lived this viewpoint in his past business dealings.
He emphasized working with investors and balancing development with environmental considerations.
Arts, Culture, and Heritage
Cooke said arts and cultural assets are key to the community and should be supported. “We have some great artisans… museums… we need to help them any way we can,” he said.
He also proposed having a dedicated municipal role focused on securing grants and funding as a way to support this file from a municipal standpoint.
Infrastructure
Cooke identified infrastructure, particularly roads, as a major issue and stressed the need for prioritization and efficiency when saying, “We have to prioritize… and look where we’re wasting money,” he said.
He again emphasized seeking external funding to avoid increasing taxes, and shared frustration on what he sees as unfair or unequitable fund disbursement by the provincial government.
Amalgamation
While expressing reservations about amalgamation, Cooke said he accepts it as the current reality.
“I don’t like it… but that is not going to change. We have to make this work,” he said, stressing the importance of serving all communities within Fundy Albert equally.
Closing Thoughts
Cooke concluded by emphasizing accessibility and openness to residents. He said, “My door is always open… I’ll answer the call…and the email!”
Contact Cooke by telephone: 506-962-2533 and email : [email protected].
Cooke has spent most of his life working in the Hillsborough area, beginning employment at a young age and later becoming a business owner. After early work in meat packing and electronic services, he launched his own company before transitioning into retail.
In 2002, he and his wife purchased a local convenience store, later expanding operations to include a second location. They operated both businesses for approximately two decades before selling in 2023. He now runs White Rock Cabins, a small tourism accommodation venture.
“I’ve lived here my entire life… I haven’t moved very far,” Cooke said, which gives him a unique perspective on the community.
Community Involvement and Leadership
Cooke has been involved in several community initiatives, including coaching minor hockey, serving on boards, and co-founding a youth soccer program that continues today.
He describes his leadership style as hands-on and flexible.
“I expect a lot… but I’m willing to bend… [when employees were out last minute]...I would cover the shift… mopping the floors,” he said, reflecting on managing staff in his businesses and his hands-on style. He shares that this mindset would roll over into his hands-on approach to service on municipal council.
Approach to Conflict
Cooke said his approach to conflict is rooted in listening and collaboration.
“You have to listen to both sides… and try to make a group decision that’s going to work,” adding that while he is open to compromise in most cases, he would stand firm on matters he considers moral issues.
Decision to Run
Cooke said his decision to run came after years of attending council meetings and expressing concerns.
“I’ve complained long enough that I figured I better try to do something about it,” he said.
He noted that being retired from the stores, and being in semi-retirement with adequate supports in place for his business, has given him the availability needed to commit to the role.
Platform and Priorities
Cooke does not describe his campaign as platform-driven but emphasizes the need for strong financial oversight and securing external funding.
“I want to look at the books… find if there’s waste… and… find money,” he said, reflecting on the need to advocate for more provincial and federal funding.
He highlighted disparities in provincial funding compared to other municipalities and said addressing this would be a key focus.
Time Commitment
Cooke said he now has the flexibility to dedicate sufficient time to council responsibilities. “I feel I can find a lot more time… and justify it to the constituents,” he said.
Training and Governance
Cooke supports access to training but not mandatory requirements.“I don’t like the word mandatory… but I really do think it should be made available,” he said, noting that in business you take training that is needed to be successful.
He acknowledged limited familiarity with the New Brunswick Local Governance Act but said he intends to study.
Transparency and Conflicts of Interest
Cooke described conflicts of interest as a reality in small communities and emphasized transparency and accountability.
“Everybody knows everybody… there are going to be conflicts,” he said.
He said councillors should disclose conflicts and step aside when necessary.
“If it affects me or my close family, then I have to step aside,” he added.
Environment and Natural Resources
Cooke emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship while supporting balanced development.
“We have to embrace it… but… we have to have industry too,” he said, noting needing information to make decisions and how sustainable foresting can not only care for the environment but create employment.
He expressed clear opposition to glyphosate spraying. “I’m against it… I would much rather employ some people (to care for the forests and best utilize it’s resources)… than spray,” he said.
Housing, Poverty, and Cost of Living
Cooke identified affordability as a growing concern and linked solutions to funding and development.
“We cannot start taxing people out of their houses,” he said.
He supports encouraging new housing development, including affordable units, and attracting younger entrepreneurs.
Economic Development
Cooke said municipal government should actively support new businesses while avoiding duplication of existing services.
“We don’t need duplication. We need new,” he said, offering examples of how he lived this viewpoint in his past business dealings.
He emphasized working with investors and balancing development with environmental considerations.
Arts, Culture, and Heritage
Cooke said arts and cultural assets are key to the community and should be supported. “We have some great artisans… museums… we need to help them any way we can,” he said.
He also proposed having a dedicated municipal role focused on securing grants and funding as a way to support this file from a municipal standpoint.
Infrastructure
Cooke identified infrastructure, particularly roads, as a major issue and stressed the need for prioritization and efficiency when saying, “We have to prioritize… and look where we’re wasting money,” he said.
He again emphasized seeking external funding to avoid increasing taxes, and shared frustration on what he sees as unfair or unequitable fund disbursement by the provincial government.
Amalgamation
While expressing reservations about amalgamation, Cooke said he accepts it as the current reality.
“I don’t like it… but that is not going to change. We have to make this work,” he said, stressing the importance of serving all communities within Fundy Albert equally.
Closing Thoughts
Cooke concluded by emphasizing accessibility and openness to residents. He said, “My door is always open… I’ll answer the call…and the email!”
Contact Cooke by telephone: 506-962-2533 and email : [email protected].
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