Election slates reflect change in the wind

Casting a ballot. By Arnaud Jaegers. Free Use. Unsplash

By Cecilia Nasmith

The deadline for nominating a candidate in the October municipal elections has passed, and the winds of change are blowing.

Even with some municipalities failing, by the weekend, to make their candidates' lists official, it is clear that at least some of the faces around that all-important council table will have changed.

At least three of the seven faces at Northumberland County council – where each municipality's mayor sits as a councillor – will be different this term. And of the county's four Strong Mayors, one is retiring and the seats of the others are contested.

And in at least one municipality – Alnwick-Haldimand Township – the mayor is retiring, and none of the council candidates is an incumbent.

The potential for change is strongest, of course, in the county's four Strong Mayor municipalities.

Cobourg – Mayor Lucas Cleveland will defend his seat against his Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and businessman Max Le Marchant (who was a key player in the New Amherst subdivision on the town's west end). Contesting for Deputy Mayors are Councillor Adam Bureau and Johnny Percolides. And incumbent councillors Randy Barber, Aaron Burchat, Brian Darling and Miriam Mutton will fight for their seats against Cindy Beman, Alexander Cahill, Jeremy Coulis, Randy Curtis, Lindsay Grimley, Mark Mills, Joel Scott and Matthew Sickinger.

Port Hope – Mayor Olena Hankivsky filed a last-minute intention on Friday to defend her seat against Angela Grogan, David Stambrook, Ian West and Councillor Todd Attridge. Jordan Stevenson had filed, but withdrew it the day before deadline.

No Deputy Mayor is elected in Port Hope, as the duty is rotated among councillors throughout the term.

In Ward 1, these candidates would be incumbents Claire Holloway-Wadhwani, Les Andrews, Vicki Mink and Adam Pearson, as well as Norm Orviss, Miranda Lukaniuk, Amelia Bray and Caleb Carisse.

Ward 2 council candidates are Jamie Ferguson and Glenn Deeth as well as incumbent Darrell Toms

Trent Hills – The website has an unofficial – and sparse – list that reflects Mayor Bob Crate's intention to retire from the office and has only Michael Metcalf as his potential successor – and only Rick English in line for Deputy Mayor. The only council candidates listed are Bob Crate and Dennis Savery for Ward 5.

Brighton – This website promised a list of certified candidates “before the certification deadline of Monday, Aug. 24, at 4 p.m.” However, Brighton Today said last month that Mayor Brian Ostrander is being challenged by Christina Bergmann.

It's a mixed bag in the three municipalities without Strong Mayor powers.

Hamilton Township – This list was still termed “unofficial,” showing Scott Jibb as the only candidate for Mayor and Larry Williamson as the only one for Deputy Mayor. Jay Chatten, Pat McCourt and Rob MacArthur are running for the three council seats, along with incumbents John Davison and Bruce Buttar.

Cramahe Township – This list on this municipality's website was last updated July 16, showing Deputy Mayor Sandra Arthur, Kevin McGourty and Bob Culetta running to succeed retiring Mayor Mandy Martin. Incumbent Deputy Mayor Sherry Hamilton is being challenged by Callie Nelson. And incumbent councillors Ed Van Egmond and Joel Schriver are being challengd by Barb Marian, Steve McRae, Ben Walker, Jackie Greenen and Eric Voutier.

Alnwick-Haldimand Township – With the list on the municipal website still termed unofficial, Mike Ainsworth and Sherry Gibson have signed up to campaign for the seat being vacated by retiring Mayor John Logel. Incumbent Deputy Mayor Joan Stover is being challenged by Councillor Mary Catherine O'Neill and Dave Forbes. There are five candidates for councillor – Terry Carruthers, Ron Farrow, Jim Hogg, Jim McCormack and Cathie Ritchie – with a sixth, Richard Stratford, having withdrawn his nomination on deadline day.

Though changes are inevitable, one thing is still true – campaigns are gearing up.

In Alnwick-Haldimand, lawn signs for Ainsworth have been sprouting up for weeks, while Gibson said Thursday she's all prepared and raring to go with her campaign (though she wanted to wait until after the Friday deadline to see exactly whom she's up against).

At any rate – let the races begin.