Duane Hicks
While nominations to run for town council or trustee positions on the local school boards opened Jan. 4, no one has yet put their name forth.
While it is not uncommon for candidates to file their papers only weeks before the nomination deadline, Fort Frances Clerk Glenn Treftlin said anyone interested in running for mayor, council, or the school boards should keep in mind they must file their papers with him at the Civic Centre prior to 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10.
Withdrawal of any nominations also must be made by 2 p.m. on Sept. 10.
Nominees must pay a fee of $200 to run for head of council (mayor), or $100 for any other position (i.e., councillor or trustee).
They also must be a Canadian citizen 18 years or older, and either be a property owner, someone who leases property, or the spouse of someone who owns/leases property.
As well, there are some slight changes to how campaign finances are to be handled this election, said Treftlin.
For example, the nomination filing fee is counted as an election expense.
Candidates also must have a dedicated bank account for campaign finances.
Treftlin noted the paperwork to file at the end of the campaign period also has changed, and it is now more of a formal financial statement as opposed to a simple declaration that the candidate did not spend campaign funds in excess of a certain amount.
The deadline for candidates to file their campaign finances will be March 25, 2011 (for financial purposes, the regular campaign will be considered to have ended Dec. 31, 2010).
Election day this year will be held Oct. 25. This was changed from the second Monday in November after reforms to the Municipal Elections Act earlier this year.
Polls will open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on election day, just as in past years.
And once again, the town will be using a vote-by-mail system in the upcoming election.
The first day of the new council term will be Dec. 1.
Municipal terms are four years, after being increased from three just prior to the 2006 election.
