A handful of new candidates and incumbents are the first people to enter the race for the 2014 municipal election.
Mark Holman of Lacroix Street and Aaron Hurst of Timmins Crescent filed their nomination papers on Jan. 2nd – the first day possible – to run for council in Ward 6 – Chatham.
Holman, a semi-retired business professional, said he has no political experience, but is starting to get fed up.
“I’m ticked off,” he said. “I’ve been here for eight years … and watched our taxes steadily increase.”
Hurst is looking to inject some youth around the council table.
At the age of 20, Hurst said he believes he’s the youngest person to ever vie for a council spot.
“I can bring some new ideas to the table,” he said.
Hurst, who is currently a student at St. Clair College, said he has seen many of his peers from the area leave for school and never come back.
“Youth retention is an issue I want to focus on,” Hurst said. “We need to be offering some incentives to bring industry here. Chatham-Kent is a hidden gem.”
Incumbents Derek Robertson and Michael Bondy are both set to run once again in Ward 6 – Chatham. They will be challeneged by Holman, Hurst and fellow newcomers Brandon Houston, Kirk Hooker and Chad Sauve.
Incumbents Jim Brown and Steve Pinsonneault are running again in Ward 3 – East Kent. They will be challenged by newcomer Mona Natvik
Veteran councillor Frank Vercouteren is running again in Ward 2 – South Kent as is Jeff Wesley in Ward 5 – Wallaceburg.
No one has filed in Ward 4 – North Kent or Ward 1 – West Kent or for the Mayor’s chair.
Election day is Oct. 27.
