Staff
No one has put their name in yet to run for town council in the municipal election coming up Oct. 27.
Fort Frances Clerk Glen Treftlin added no one has filed so far to run for the Rainy River District School Board or Northwest Catholic District School Board, or for the seat representing the Rainy River Central unincorporated area on the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.
But Treftlin said in his experience, this is not unusual.
“Actually, some wait until after the summer [to file their nomination papers],” he remarked.
“It gives them an opportunity to give it some thought.”
That said, Treftlin said he’s not sure when there might be an all-candidates’ night, so any prospective candidates don’t want to miss out on that.
“And then, of course, they can’t incur any campaign expenses or do any active campaigning until they file their nomination papers,” he stressed.
“So there’s a few things they may want to keep in mind.”
Anyone interested in running for mayor, town council, the two school boards, or as the Rainy River Central rep on the DSSAB must file their papers at the Civic Centre prior to 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
Withdrawal of any nominations also must be made by that deadline.
Nominees must pay a $200 fee to run for head of council (i.e., mayor) or $100 for any other position (councillor or trustee).
They also must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older, and either be a property owner, someone who leases property, or the spouse of someone who owns/leases property in Fort Frances.
Treftlin also noted that if, for any reason, a nominee files a nomination (for councillor, for example), and then files a second one for a different position (e.g., mayor), the first one falls off the table.
But this also means they have to file two campaign expense reports—one for their campaign running for council; a second for their mayoral campaign.
If they file for any position and then withdraw, they also must file a campaign expense report.
Election day will be held Oct. 27. As in past years, polls will open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
But the town also will be using a vote-by-mail system in the upcoming election once again.
The first day of the new council term will be Dec. 1.
Municipal terms are for four years, after being increased from three just prior to the 2006 election.
