Tibbs joins race for mayor

There’s been a shake-up in the list of candidates running for mayor as Coun. Sharon Tibbs joined the race late Wednesday after Coun. Deane Cunningham withdrew for health reasons.
“This [health] was not an issue when I filed my nominations papers on Aug. 14,” Coun. Cunningham said Wednesday afternoon.
“I was recently hospitalized and after discussions with my doctor, I cannot, in good conscience, continue my candidacy with my current health issues,” he added.
“This is a most difficult decision, but to be fair to my family, the taxpayers, and myself, I feel it is the right decision at this time,” lamented Coun. Cunningham.
“It’s unfortunate. It’s a bitter disappointment to me, but it’s a decision I had to make.”
Coun. Cunningham has served a total of 26 years on council, including a stint as mayor from 1981-85.
Coun. Tibbs, who previously had been seeking re-elected as a councillor, filed her nominations papers at 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday.
She was not available for comment prior to press time Thursday.
The only other person in the race so far is Dan Onichuk, who declared his candidacy shortly after Mayor Glenn Witherspoon announced in July that he would not be seeking a fifth-straight term at the helm.
“I hope Deane the best, health-wise,” Onichuk said Thursday morning after learning of the recent developments.
“As for Sharon joining the race, I’m just waiting for the [filing] deadline tomorrow. I haven’t heard any rumours, but you never know,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to the debate, I’ll see what she has to say then,” Onichuk remarked.
The date for a debate among the municipal candidates still is being determined.
As of press time Thursday, those running for council in November’s election include incumbents Roy Avis, Struchan Gilson, and Neil Kabel, along with John Albanese, who previously has sat on council, Tannis Drysdale, Bud Edwards, Todd Hamilton, and Rick Wiedenhoeft.
Coun. Dave Bourgeault is not seeking re-election.
As far as school board trustees go, only incumbents Dan Belluz and Gord McBride so far have filed to run again for the Fort Frances seats on the Rainy River District School Board.
Incumbents Harold Huntley and Gerry Rousseau are seeking re-election to the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Mary Ellen Kennedy has put her name forward for trustee of the Le Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique des Aurores Boreales.
Anyone interested in running for mayor or council must file their nomination papers with Clerk Glenn Treftlin at the Civic Centre prior to 5 p.m. tomorrow.
Election day is Nov. 10. Canada Post is expected to send out the mail-in ballots to town residents starting Oct. 20. Everyone should have their packages by Oct. 26.
Treftlin still is reminding residents to check the preliminary lists of electors posted at the Civic Centre, museum, and public library.
He stressed voters should check these lists to find out if their address is correct, if they are on it more than once, and whether they’re designated to vote for public or separate school board trustees.
Treftlin noted he must submit all the correct info to Canada Post, which is in charge of the mail-in voting, by Oct. 2, so he would like to have it in to him by Sept. 26.
If, for whatever reason, eligible voters do not receive a ballot in the mail or did not get on the mail-in list on time, they still can drop by the Civic Centre and pick up a ballot up to election day.
The drop box at the Civic Centre will be the only one in this election. Unlike the 2000 election, there won’t be public drop boxes at the Memorial Sports Centre, Fort Frances Children’s Complex, or Public Works building on Nov. 10 because as they saw very poor use.
But there still will be drop boxes for residents at Rainycrest Home for the Aged and the Continuing Care Unit at La Verendrye Hospital, as per a municipal bylaw.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)