AMHERST – While thrilled Amherst will host the Olympic torch relay, the town’s mayor wishes the area’s three torchbearers could have carried the torch through the town Saturday.
“It would have been nice to support our local folks and I know whatever town they run in they will be supported,” Rob Small said Wednesday. “Initially, I was a little disappointed but when I had time to reflect on it and what it’s all about — people from all walks of life getting to run in a historic event.
“So what if it’s not in their hometown? At least they’re getting to do it.”
Jamie Steele will carry the torch Monday in Shediac, N.B.,  while Daren White carried the torch Wednesday in Enfield. Lisa Baldwin of Collingwood is carrying the torch on P.E.I., on Saturday.
Amherst will host the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch early Saturday on its cross-Canada journey to the site of the Games in February. The Amherst leg of the tour will begin at about 10 a.m., at town hall on Ratchford Street.
The torchbearers will leave town hall to Havelock Street before turning onto Victoria Street and continuing westward toward the Trans-Canada Highway. Small said it will be important for residents to come out and show their support for the torch relay.
“I think Amherst was very fortunate to have three people selected to carry the torch because I know there were a lot of people who applied,” the mayor said. “The fact that these people got selected is pretty special.”
Police will be closing several streets for several hours. Ratchford Street will be closed beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday. West Victoria Street will be closed to incoming eastbound traffic at Hickman Street while the torch run is in progress. Traffic will be diverted up Hickman Street.
As the torch passes, several streets where they intersect Victoria will be closed temporarily including LaPlanche, Church, Lawrence, Maple, Station, Landsdowne, Copp, Gerrard, Arlington, Lusby, Russell, Smith, Mill, Haliburton and Terrace. Those streets will reopen quickly once the torch has passed.
The torch run is among events being held to coincide with Victorian Christmas celebrations.

dcole@amherstdaily.com