•  

    Call us

    +1 506 365 7970

  •  

    Send us mail

    info@doaktown.ca

  • contact us

OUR PAST COUNCIL


Former Mayors

Doaktown was officially incorporated as a Village on November 9, 1966.  In the 56 (2022), years since then, nine Mayors have served our community well.

In January 2023, the Village amalgamated with the Local Service Districts from Blissfield, Storeytown, Bettsburg, Grand Lake Road and Hazelton. We welcome all area's in the Village of Doaktown and hope you will feel "at home"


Kenneth J. Robinson

Kenneth J. Robinson

Mayor

1967-1971: Kenneth J. Robinson – Born on July 8, 1911 in Doaktown, the son of Hannah (Regan) and Melvin James Robinson. Married Lillian Grace Storey (b. 1914), the daughter of Nellie (Vickers) and Stillman Henry Storey, and had three children, two of whom would later serve as Village Councillors: Kenneth R. Robinson, L. H. Ira Robinson (Councillor from 1998-2001), and Isaac R. Robinson (Councillor from 2004-2008). During the course of his life, Kenneth drove horses for the Russell and Swim saw mill, and for R. H. Swim delivering ESSO furnace oil and gas products. Later he became the local agent for Imperial Oil under his company name “K. J. Robinson.” He served on the Local Service District Council for a number of years prior to Doaktown’s incorporation in 1966 and was extremely proud to serve as the Village’s first Mayor. He passed away on November 14, 1971 at the age of 60.

Benson H. Parker

Benson H. Parker

Mayor

1980-1995: Benson H. Parker – Born on November 8, 1930 in Carrolls Crossing, the son of Violet (Lyons) and Murdock Parker. He was first employed by Russell and Swim Limited as a labourer, a truck driver and then as a steam boiler operator. He was later employed for 21 years by Acadia Forest Products in the Doaktown district first as a machine operator, then as a cost analyst, and finally as a trucking superintendent. “Benny” married Thelma Doak, the daughter of Ruby (Amos) and Walter Doak, and the couple had one son. He served as Councillor from 1971-1980 and was elected as the Village’s third mayor in 1980 serving two terms from 1980-1986. He was again elected as Mayor in 1988 and served until 1995. Benson Parker passed away on November 17, 2007 at the age of 77.

James W. Porter

James W. Porter

Mayor

1995-2004: James W. Porter – Born on March 7, 1937 in Doaktown, the son of Anita (Doak) and Gerald Porter. Married Valerie Price, the daughter of Edna (Harris) and Joseph Price, and had three children, one of whom (Jeffrey D. Porter) was elected to Village Council in 2012. James served as a constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from 1958 to 1961 and as a fisheries officer with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans from 1962 to 1996. He ran in the November 1983 by-election and was elected as a Councillor replacing Ronald Robb. He served in that capacity until 1995 when he was elected as Mayor on May 8, 1995. He won a second term in office in the municipal election held in May 1998 and was again elected (this time by acclamation) in 2001, a term that expired in 2004.

Beverley (Bev) K. Gaston

Beverley (Bev) K. Gaston

Mayor

2012-2018 Beverley (Bev) K. Gaston - Born on April 02, 1948 in Doaktown NB. Son of Lucy (Robinson) and William Gaston. Bev married Linda North and they have 3 children, Nick, Cynthia and Geoff. Bev worked for Lounsbury Co. Ltd for 38 years retiring as Vice-President in 2000. While Mayor, Bev also served 2 years as President for the Union of New Brunswick Municipalities. Bev and his wife, Linda, now reside in Saint John, NB.

Caroline St-Pierre Taylor

Caroline St-Pierre Taylor

Mayor

2021-2022 Caroline St-Pierre Taylor --Born in Granby, Quebec, the third of five children. Studied in Granby, Quebec until university. Graduated from McGill University (MacDonald College) with a degree in Animal Science in 1982. Moved to Fredericton to become the Manager of the N.B. Cattle Producers Association.  Over the next few years, worked for the N.B. Nurses Union as a communication officer, TransCanada Pipelines (Sable Gas System) as their spokesperson, the N.B. Department of Agriculture as a Grain Grader and finally with the Federal Government at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, first as a Communications Officer and finally as the Manager of Programs and Farm Debt Mediation for the East (Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces. Worked there for 27 years, to date, and continue to enjoy the challenges the job brings daily.

Moved to Doaktown in 1991, Married Everett Taylor and together we raised 4 children.

In 1996, we opened Ledges Inn and have been operating the business ever since.  This past year (2021), with all the COVID challenges, we built and finally opened the Lower Ledge Gastropub.  Our businesses employ over 30 people seasonally.

I made Doaktown my home the day I moved here.

Served as Mayor from June 2021 to November 2022 . Due to new reform changes , another election was held in November of 2022.

E. Clarence Taylor

E. Clarence Taylor

Mayor

1971-1980: E. Clarence Taylor – Born on July 18, 1929 in Newton Heights (Moncton), the son of Merle (Dysart) and Everett West Taylor. Clarence worked for Lounsbury’s in both Moncton and Bathurst but in 1956 was appointed store manager in Doaktown where he met his future wife. Married Glenna E. Russell, the daughter of Mabel (Crocker) and Victor Russell of Doaktown and had three children. Clarence continued to manage the Lounsbury’s operation in Doaktown until his retirement in 1991. He was elected Mayor of Doaktown by acclamation in June of 1971 and served two additional terms (both by acclamation).

Helen M. C. Taylor

Helen M. C. Taylor

Mayor

1986-1988: Helen M. C. Taylor – Born on January 13, 1936 in Chatham, New Brunswick, the daughter of Mary (Hackett) and Hazen Dickson. Married Eldon A. Taylor, also of Chatham, and had two sons, Byron W. Taylor (who was later to serve as a Doaktown Councillor from 1992-1995) and Brent S. D. Taylor. Helen was the first and (to date) only woman to serve the Village as Mayor being elected in 1986. She resigned from Council in 1988 just prior to the death of her husband and was succeeded by former Mayor Benson Parker who served until 1995. Helen passed away on August 14, 1995 at the age of 59 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Charles (“Sonny”) E. Stewart

Charles (“Sonny”) E. Stewart

Mayor

2004-2012: Charles (“Sonny”) E. Stewart - Born on April 28, 1942 in Carrolls Crossing. Married Gail Porter and had two daughters, Karen Ann and Coralee Dawn. Sonny began his working career with Diamond Construction Limited of Fredericton shortly after his graduation from high school in 1959 and remained with the company until December 2001. He served as a Doaktown Village Councillor from 1983-84 and over the years has donated his time in many volunteer capacities particularly with the Saint Thomas United Church, the Doaktown Youth Centre, and the Doaktown Arena. Sonny also worked as a driver with the Doaktown Saint John Ambulance and remains active in community affairs.

Jeffrey D. Porter

Jeffrey D. Porter

Mayor

2018-2021 Jeffrey D. Porter — Born on Nov 19, 1968, the son of Valerie (Price) and James Porter. Married Judy Munn on September 1, 1990. Jeff worked at JD Irving Sawmill for 19 years. He became an entrepreneur in 2010 and still runs Porters Bottle Exchange today. In 2012, he was elected a Councillor member for the Village of Doaktown, where he served until 2016. In 2018 he ran in a by-election and was elected as Mayor, where he served from Dec 2018 until the term expired in June of 2021.


Former Councillors

Following is a list of all those who have contributed their skills and energies to the betterment of our community:


1967-1971:  William R. MacKinnon, Myles Russell
1971-1975:  Ronald Gaston
1975-1980:  Herbert Lyons
1971-1980: Trevinnion Storey, Benson Parker
1980-1983:  Isaac R. Robinson, Newton Carroll, Stanley Donovan

1983-1986:   Isaac R. Robinson, Ronald Robb, Charles E. Stewart
1985-1986:  James W. Porter, Helen Taylor (by-election)
1986-1989:  Glen Harding, James W. Porter, Bruce M. D. Storey
1988-1989:   Paul M. Gillespie (by-election)
1989-1992:  Paul M. Gillespie, James W. Porter, Bruce M. D. Storey

1992-1995:  Paul M. Gillespie, James Porter, Byron W. Taylor
1995-1998:  Paul M. Gillespie, Bruce M. D. Storey, Clifton S. Durling
1998-2001:  Paul M. Gillespie, J. Lorri Amos, Carl R. Price, Ira L. Robinson
2001-2004:  Paul M. Gillespie, J. Lorrie Amos, Carl R. Price, Scott E. Stewart
2004-2008:  Paul M. Gillespie, Carl R. Price, Scott E. Stewart, Isaac R. Robinson

2008-2012:  Paul M. Gillespie, Carl R. Price, Scott E. Stewart, Wayne N. Fowler
2012-2016:  Paul M. Gillespie, Jeffrey G. Porter, Wayne N. Fowler, Tanya Robichaud (2012-2014)
2015-2016:  Carl. R Price ( by-election)
2016-2021:  Paul M. Gillespie, Carl R. Price, Wayne N. Fowler, Arthur O’Donnell

2021-2022:  Arthur O'Donnell, Beresford Price, Paige Storey, Andrew Betts


About Doaktown

The village of Doaktown is located in the heart of the Miramichi, along the Miramichi River. The famous Miramichi River is one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world, in both past and present day. Not only is the Southwest Miramichi River among the top 10 cleanest rivers in the world, it is home to the elusive Atlantic salmon that has tempted the skill of men for centuries. Doaktown's history is both colourful and diverse, changing with time and industry. Home to the Atlantic Salmon Museum, the Doak Historic Site, the Old Mill Pond Golf Club, and numerous fishing and outdoor adventure experiences.

Latest News

Village of Doaktown

Address: 8 Miramichi Street, Doaktown, NB, Canada, E9C 1C8

Phone: 506-365-7970

Fax: 506-365-7111

Email: info@doaktown.ca