Today (Friday September 10) marks the final day for those wishing to declare their candidacy for the upcoming municipal election to file their nomination papers with the municipal clerk.
After 2 pm this afternoon the nomination period will close, and all candidates that have filed their papers will be on the ballot for the October 25 election.
Meaford experienced a slow start to the election season this year with the bulk of the current candidates having filed their papers in the last week.
As of the time of publication the following candidates were registered to run for Meaford Council:
Mayor:
Francis Richardson, Jim McPherson
Deputy Mayor:
Gerald Shortt, Harley Greenfield
Council:
Lynda Stephens, Mike Poetker, Ray McHugh, Carol Smith, Gord Crapper, Barbara Arnelien, Peter Bantock, and Jason Whaley.
The current race for mayor features Richardson who was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor in 2006 and was later appointed to the position of Mayor after the elected mayor resigned, and Jim McPherson who was elected to council in the last election.
McPherson and Richardson have often found themselves at odds during discussion around the council table, and it is expected that debate between the two throughout the campaign will be intense.
In a media release early this week McPherson focused on municipal finances and taxation rates, and called the 'Five Year Plan' developed in 2009 to move the municipality away from a cycle of deficits a “disaster-plan leading to higher taxes, greater debt, and a bloated bureaucracy.” Richardson has been a strong supporter and promoter of the five year plan since it's inception last year.
If there are no further entries in the race for Deputy Mayor, it is likely that the final vote tally will be a close one. Councillor's Shortt and Greenfield both failed in their election bids in 2006 but were later appointed to this current council after the resignation of the mayor and two elected members of council. Both candidates have expressed frustration with the state of municipal finances, and have often sided with each other on topics such as municipal staffing, and spending.
The current Deputy Mayor Michael Traynor has said several times in recent months that he will not be seeking re-election.
As for council, there are currently eight candidates vying for the five council seats, and the race is wide open. As of the morning of September 10 only one incumbent has filed papers seeking re-election- that being Lynda Stephens. With councillors Shortt and Greenfield in the race for Deputy Mayor and McPherson running for Mayor, the only other potential council incumbent is Cynthia Lemon who has not indicated if she will seek re-election.
Six of the other seven candidates would be newcomers to council with only Gord Crapper who was mayor of Meaford for 13 of his 17 year council career previously holding municipal office. Crapper who is in his eighties is currently the oldest candidate running for council, and Jason Whaley who is 37 years old is the youngest candidate.
Anyone hoping to have their name on the ballot for the October 25 election must file their nomination papers with the clerk at the municipal office on Trowbridge Street no later than 2 pm on Friday September 10.
