Duane Hicks
It appears there will be a three-way race for mayor next month after Dan Onichuk filed his nomination papers this morning to run against incumbent Roy Avis and Coun. Andrew Hallikas.
Onichuk, who was mayor from 2003-06, told the Times that after careful consideration and encouragement of friends and associates, he’s made the decision to seek the post once again.
“Since I left office in 2006, there are many issues that remain unresolved or were simply put to the bottom of the priority list,” he said.
“I believe some decisions have been made that should have been put to more public scrutiny,” Onichuk added.
“You will remember as mayor, I was always ready and willing to keep the public informed and answer their questions in any open and public forum,” he remarked.
“We have many challenges ahead and the public deserves to know what’s going on before final decisions are made.
“I’m a little older, a little wiser, and welcome the opportunity and honour to represent Fort Frances for the next four years,” Onichuk said.
Overnight Monday, “Re-elect Dan Onichuk for mayor” signs appeared around town in what Onichuk later said was a prank.
Meanwhile, former councillor Allan T. Bedard filed his nomination for town council by today’s 2 p.m. deadline.
Incumbents John Albanese, Doug Kitowski, Ken Perry, and Paul Ryan are seeking re-election to town council.
Also running for the six seats up for grabs are newcomers Dan Belluz, Wendy Brunetta, June Caul, Eric Fagerdahl, Jennifer Greenhalgh, Ed Haglund, Jennifer Horton, Harold Huntley, Joe Kneisz, Scott Krienke-Turvey, and Charleen Mallory.
On the education front, two new candidates have joined the race for the public and separate school boards.
Rudolf Zeitlhofer is running for one of the two Fort Frances seats on the Rainy River District School Board.
He joins fellow candidates David Kircher, Raymond Roy, and Stephen Sinclair.
Cathy Piotrowski, meanwhile, has filed for one of the two town seats on the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
She is running against current board chair Anne-Marie Fitzgerald and newcomer Bob Grynol.
In related news, Don Canfield has filed to seek the Rainy River Central seat on the local District Social Services Administration Board.
John Steinke previously filed for the position.
Mail-in ballots will be sent out to voters the week of Oct. 6.
Election day is Oct. 27.
