Changes Ahead for Local Councils This Fall

Estimated 6 minutes

Friday marked the first day candidates could submit their paperwork for the upcoming municipal election in October, and it’s already clear that shifts are on the horizon.

Two local mayors have declared they won’t be running for re-election. Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, who has served three terms, stated back in March that it was time to “step aside and pass the baton.”

On Thursday, Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz also announced she won’t seek another term after 12 years in office.

“This is not an easy choice, but it is the right time for me to step away from public life and spend more time with my family and friends,” she mentioned in her statement.

Within just a few hours of opening nominations, Cambridge Coun. Scott Hamilton revealed he would run for mayor of his city.

“As mayor I will make affordability a central priority, managing city finances responsibly and ensuring future growth is a solid investment that doesn’t come at the expense of today’s residents,” he expressed in a release.

“Every capital project and piece of infrastructure will have a positive return on investment for you and your family.”

This decision will leave his Ward 7 position open.

A second candidate has also stepped up to run for mayor in Cambridge: Brian Kennedy, who currently serves as executive director of the Downtown Cambridge BIA.

In another early development, current Waterloo Region District School Board trustee Scott Piatkowski submitted paperwork to run for city council representing Ward 5 in Waterloo.

He told there were “a combination of reasons” behind his switch from school board to city council candidacy.

In his statement, he said he’s proud of what he’s accomplished as a trustee “but I also have concerns that go far beyond the classroom,” adding that being a city councillor would enable him to “tackle the larger issues that affect the broader community.”

Day 1 nominations

Here’s a list of individuals who filed paperwork by Friday at 5 p. m.

Cambridge:

Current councillor Scott Hamilton filed papers to run for mayor. Brian Kennedy filed papers to run for mayor. Sheri Roberts filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 5.

Kitchener:

David Alton filed papers to run for mayor. Wazhma Frogh filed papers to run for mayor. Dave Schnider filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 2. Jason Deneault filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 3. Vikki Poirier filed papers to run in Ward 4. Debbie Chapman filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 9. Sam Nabi filed papers to run in Ward 10. Stephanie Stretch filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 10.

Waterloo:Dorothy Mc Cabe filed papers to seek re-election as mayor. Asma Al-Wahsh filed papers to run for Ward 2. Shawn Humes filed papers to run in Ward 2. Hans Roach filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 3. Victoria Robertston filed papers to run in Ward 3. Victoria Richardson filed papers to run in Ward 5. Scott Piatkowski filed papers to run in Ward 5. Mary Lou Roe filed papers to seek re-election in Ward 6.North Dumfries Township:Current councillor Rod Rolleman submitted paperwork intendingto campaignfor mayor.Wilmot Township:Stephanie Goertz has put forward her name as a candidate formayor. Natasha Salonen has signed up again seeking reelectionas mayor. Current councillor Kris Wilkinson has also thrownhis hat into therace formayor.No filings were recordedin Wellesley or Woolwich townships yet.

No candidates have been listedfor regional council positions either.

Waterloo Region District School Board:Kathleen Woodcock submitted her nomination papersto continue servingrepresenting Waterloo/Wilmot.Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board:Conrad Stanley has put forward his name again forthe positionof representing Waterloo/Wellesley/Woolwich. Marisa Phillips aims tore-electedin representing Cambridge/North Dumfries.Guelph:Currently councillor Leane Caron submittedpapers inthe raceformayor. Mustafa Zuberi aims torunward1. Morgan Dandie plans torun ward2. Marty Williams intends torunward3. Gregory Cawsey seeksaraceinward5. Rebecca Adam aims toraiseher candidacyin ward6.Upper Grand District School Board:Ralf Mesenbrink filespapersagainforthepositionrepresenting Guelph wards2,3, and4.

You Can Run For Regional Chair?

If you check outthe election websitesfor various citiesand townships, you’ll findthat regional chair remains listedeven though Ontario government plans topasslegislation appointingregional chairs going forward.

Tim Brubacher, the regional clerkand directorofcouncilandadministrativeservices, told last monththat untilprovincial legislation passes, the staff mustactas ifthisrolecanstillbe filled.

“But we’ll also say,’hey , bytheway , areyou awareofthis pieceoflegislation that’sbeforethe legislature?’ And thisiswhat’sgoingto happen shouldit passinitscurrentformat , whichisessentially, yournominationisdeemedwithdrawn , soyouwon’tbeontheballot, but youstillhavefileyourcampaignfinancereportsandallthose things,”hesaid.

If province changes rules so there isn’telectedregional chair , anyonewho files torunfor regional chair would needtostartanew campaignfromscratch, Bruabchermentioned.WATCH | Whatyouneedtoknowifyouplantorunin themunicipalelection:

Planningtorunin themunicipalelection? Here’swhatyouneedtoknowWe are one weekawayfromopeningthenomination periodforthisfall’s municipalelection. Craig Norris, the hostof CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s The Morning Edition, sat downwithregionalclerk Tim Brubacheratthe Regionof Waterloohq, todiscussworkinvolvedinrunningelectionseveryfouryearsandwhatsought-aftercandidatesshouldknow.

The Nomination Period Lasts Until Aug.21

It’s still veryearlydaysforthemunicipalelection. The nominationperiodcontinuesuntil2 p. m. on Friday Aug.21.

If you’re stillthinkingabout runningthereareeligibility requirements youshouldkeep inmind ifyou’re considering amunicipal orschoolboard elections.

Youmustbe:A Canadian citizen. At least18 yearsofage. A residentofthemunicipality, a non-residentownerortenantoflandinthe municipalityorthespokeofsuchnon-residentownerortenant. Not legallyprohibited from voting. Notdisqualifiedby anylegislationfromholdingmunicipaloffice.Along with completingnominationpaperwork, candidatesmustobtain signaturesfrom25 individualswhomeetabovecriteria whosupportthem intheirrunfor office.It’s advisableforsomeone planningto file paperstobookanappointmentwiththeclerk’s officeintheirmunicipalityto reviewtheirdocuments.Paperworkneeds filedbeforecandidatesstarttheir campaigns. Voterswillheadtothetpollson Oct26.

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