Candidates stacking up for election

With the clock ticking towards the deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, more people have filed their nomination papers to be candidates in next month’s municipal election.
Here in Fort Frances, seven people already have indicated an intention to seek the six seats up for grabs on town council.
Couns. Deane Cunningham, Bill Martin, Sharon Tibbs, and Neil Kabel are seeking re-election Nov. 10, along with newcomers Dave Bourgeault, Cecile Lavigne and Struchan Gilson.
But so far, only Mayor Glenn Witherspoon has declared an interest in that job.
Incumbents Larry Cousineau and Doug McCaig have both filed for the two positions on the Fort Frances Public Utilities Commission.
Meanwhile, across the district, most townships haven’t seen enough interest yet to fill all the available council seats–much less have an election. And most of those who have decided to run are incumbents.
In La Vallee, only two people have officially declared their intentions to run. Reeve Ken McKinnon has filed to run for that position again while Coun. Freeda Carmody is seeking one of the four council seats.
Three people have filed for the five council seats in Emo, including incumbents Gary Judson and Ken Fisher, along with new-comer Cecil Ogden. But no one had filed to run for the position of reeve there as of press time.
In Chapple, Reeve Cecil Wilson is seeking re-election, as are Couns. Bill Clink (Ward One) and Peter VanHeyst (Ward Three). Newcomer Arnellda Brusven is running in Ward Two.
No one had come forward yet to seek the seat in Ward Four.
In Morley and Patullo, Reeve Gary Gamsby also has his eye on that position for the coming term. Coun. Gary Jolicouer and George Heyens, along with newcomer Judy Miners, have all declared their intentions for three of the four council seats up for grabs there.
Alberton had yet to have anyone file papers for the reeve position, nor any of the four seats council, as of press time.
Pat Giles, clerk for Dawson, McCrosson-Tovell and Morson, and Irwin Johnston, clerk for Rainy River, could be reached for information in those areas.
If enough people don’t come forward to seek the available seats on district councils by Friday’s deadline, those who have filed their papers will be acclaimed Tuesday, Oct. 14 after 5 p.m.
That provides candidates an opportunity to withdraw their nomination if they choose.
Then nominations will be re-opened again Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the various municipal offices where seats remain to be filled.
If more people show an interest on that date than there are seats available, their names will be put on the ballot for next month’s election.
“In the event that we still don’t have enough [candidates], the [new council] could go to the Municipal Act,” explained Emo Clerk Brenda Cooke, noting that set the guidelines whereby the vacant positions could be filled by either election, advertising or appointment.
But Cooke didn’t feel Emo would be facing that situation. “Emo’s always had lots of interest,” she noted.
Those candidates who receive two percent of the votes cast–as well as those who are acclaimed–will have their $100 nomination fee reimbursed.