Which saying is more important: ‘may the best candidate win’ or ‘you get what you deserve?'
Three weeks remain for aspiring residents to register in becoming candidates in the upcoming 2022 municipal elections across North Simcoe, whereupon the municipalities will spend taxpayer dollars to discover the leaders of the next four years.
Within their respective budgets, the municipalities have been contributing annually toward the election portion of the 2022 budget, where that taxpayer money is spent on various expenditures for the election process. The municipal elections will take place on October 24.
Nominations for candidates began in early May with a cutoff date of August 19.
> Midland
With a population base of 17,817 as of the 2021 Census, Midland is the largest of the four North Simcoe municipalities. In their 2022 budget process, the town included a one-time draw of $132,000 from their election reserves.
As of the time of publication, four candidates have entered in the race for Mayor: Bill Gordon, Jonathan Main, Ute Schmid-Jones, and Stewart Strathearn (incumbent). Cody Oschefski is the sole entrant for Deputy Mayor. Of the seven councillor positions available, only Eric Howie Major has stepped forward.
Only 35.5 per cent of Midland’s eligible voters cast ballots in the 2018 Ontario Municipal Elections.
Said CAO David Denault, "As we know municipal governments touch the day-to-day life of every Ontario resident. Serving in this capacity is both challenging and immensely rewarding in terms of the direct feedback and connections to the community that are made."
> Penetanguishene
The town of Penetanguishene has 10,077 residents, and their total election reserve balance was approved for $47,000.
Currently, two candidates are vying for the position of Mayor: Doug Rawson and Jill St. Amant. For Deputy Mayor, the candidates are Brian Cummings and Dan La Rose. In the five available positions for councillor, only three candidates have applied: Doug Leroux, Michel Mayotte and George Vadeboncoeur.
For the 2018 election, just 42 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots to decide Penetanguishene’s representatives.
> Tay Township
Along the east side of North Simcoe is Tay Township, hosting a population of 11,091 and having an election budget of $64,900.
The sole candidate for Mayor is Ted Walker (incumbent), while Deputy Mayor is being sought by one candidate, Jeff Bumstead. For the five councillor positions available, there are several candidates who have applied: Sylvia Bumstead, Gerard La Chapelle, Barry Norris, Paul Raymond and Sandy Talbot.
Eligible voters amounting to 40.2 per cent of Tay’s population participated in the 2018 election.
> Tiny Township
On the west side of North Simcoe is Tiny Township, with a 12,966 population and having $100,000 of election expenditures readied.
For the role of Mayor, only David Evans has put forth his nomination. The position of Deputy Mayor has one candidate, Sean Miskimins. Three councillor positions are being applied for by many candidates so far: John Bryant, Ema Canadic, Stephen McNamara, Janice Murton and Steffen Walma.
Just 25.7 per cent of eligible voters chose Tiny’s representatives in the 2018 election.
> School Board Trustee Nominations
School board trustees will also appear on October 24 ballots for North Simcoe voters to cast who they want to advocate in education matters.
In the English public school position for Simcoe County District School Board, Tyler Boswell is the sole candidate as of yet.
For French public school with le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Eric Lapointe is the only candidate so far.
No candidates have entered their names for the English separate school trustee position with the Simcoe County District School Board as of publication.
With the French separate school position for le Conseil scolaire de district Catholique Centre-Sud, Claire Thibideau is the only candidate to date.
In Penetanguishene specifically, ballots will host a position for the Protestant separate school board; two candidates have entered: Elizabeth DesRochers and Kyle Graham.
To register as a candidate for the 2022 municipal election, contact the clerk’s office of the representative municipality for further details.
