MARATHON — With the deadline for nominations just over two weeks away, this town on Lake Superior’s north shore will have at least two names on the ballot for mayor in October, and six candidates for its four councillor seats.
But it’s a rather different story in some other North Shore municipalities as the Aug. 21 nomination deadline nears.
No one has filed yet for the top job an hour down the highway in Schreiber.
Kevin Mullins, appointed Schreiber’s mayor in 2021 and elected in 2022, told Newswatch he hasn’t decided yet whether to seek another four-year term.
In nearby Terrace Bay, incumbent Paul Malashewski remains the lone mayoral candidate three months after filing his papers with the township’s municipal clerk.
The Township of Dorion had no candidates for reeve as of Aug. 4, while Red Rock had just one mayoral candidate — incumbent Darquise Robinson.
Municipal and school board elections are held across Ontario every four years on the fourth Monday in October. This year, election day is Oct. 26 for a term of office that begins Nov. 15.
Nominations opened May 1 and close at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21. Candidates will be certified on Monday, Aug. 24.
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas faces a challenge from Louise Hamilton, a retired municipal employee.
Besides Marathon, municipalities with competitive races for mayor include Greenstone, Manitouwadge, Nipigon and White River.
Greenstone incumbent Jamie McPherson has two challengers for the top job on council: Karen Stephenson and John Spridgeon.
Manitouwadge Mayor Jim Moffat will share his township’s mayoral ballot with Joey North and David LaVoie.
In Nipigon, Suzanne Kukko will have to get past Matthew Dupuis in order to serve a second term as mayor.
In White River, Mayor Tara Hart is being challenged by Angelo Bazzoni.
Hornepayne Mayor Cheryl Fort has filed her papers for the election and is unopposed so far.
Information and forms for becoming a candidate are available at municipalities’ websites.
If you’re wondering whether you’re on the voters list, there’s a website for that: registertovoteON.ca.
