Nominations are now closed for the 2018 Chatham-Kent municipal election.
A total of six people are vying for the position of mayor in Chatham-Kent, including: Incumbent Mayor Randy Hope, Chatham Coun. Darrin Canniff, Harold Atkinson, Robert Salvatore Powers, Alysson Storey and Allan Robert Traylor.
“I believe my track record and experience make me an excellent candidate for re-election,” Hope tweeted before filing his nomination papers earlier this month.
Hope is seeking his fourth straight term as mayor.
Canniff said he believes there are a number of things required in order for Chatham-Kent to reach its full potential.
“I believe in this community and want to take a leading role in making Chatham-Kent a place that people are extremely proud to call home and an inviting place that is attractive to new residents and businesses,” Canniff said.
Storey said Chatham-Kent needs to build a place where people dream to be, not dream of escaping from.
“A place where communication and collaboration thrives instead of divisiveness and negativity,” Storey said.
“A place that is proactive, not reactive. A place where doors are opened instead slammed shut. A place that champions expertise not silences it. A place that respects diversity and equality. A place that is a true reflection of who we want to be.”
Atkinson said Chatham-Kent is in serious decline.
“People are moving away, our population has dropped by 8,000, our police force is not very good, our roads are very bad, city hall keeps adding more employees and taxes keep going up,” he said.
Powers said a hometown television station is something he would focus on is elected as mayor.
“Its also about accountability,” he said.
“It is time to shine a light on your Municipal Government. It is time the people are given a voice.”
Traylor was the last mayoral candidate to file his papers. He also ran for mayor in 2010.
In Wallaceburg, four candidates are seeking the two spots to represent Ward 5.
Incumbent Coun. Carmen McGregor, Nick Cadotte, Aaron Hall and Randy McNeil are all running.
Chris Glassford, who had filed his papers, officially withdrew his nomination last week.
In North Kent, eight candidates are seeking the two spots to represent Ward 4.
Incumbent Joe Faas, Jessica Brooks, Joey Cyples, Jamie McGrail, Dylan Robert McLay, Steven Scott, Patricia Sylvain and Mary Anne Udvari are all running.
In West Kent, incumbents Mark Authier and Bryon Fluker, along with Jordan Dell, Melissa Harrigan and Mark Pastorius are seeking two spots representing Ward 1.
In South Kent, incumbents Trevor Thompson and Frank Vercouteren, along with Tanya Bondy, Anthony Ceccacci, Mary Clare Latimer, Amy Ramsden Dalton, Art Stirling and Henry Svec are all running for three spots representing Ward 2.
In East Kent, incumbent Steve Pinsonneault, along with MaryAnn Hawthorne and John Wright are seeking the two spots representing Ward 3.
In Chatham, a total of 17 people are seeking the six spots representing Ward 6, including: incumbents Michael Bondy, Doug Sulman and Brock McGregor, and Les Banks, former councillor Marjorie Crew, Penelope Duchesne, Amy Finn, Don Fuoco, Kirk Hooker, Ryan Jackson, Chris June, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, Don “Sparky” Leonard, Drew Simpson, Gordon Thomas, James Thompson and Larry Vellinga.
For more election coverage, visit: 2018 Chatham-Kent Election – Mayoral and Council Candidate Information
Election day is October 22, 2018.
