Election contest heats up in South Frontenac

Jeff Green | Jul 08, 2010

Municipal elections are held under cool autumn skies in Ontario, but in South Frontenac the candidates were lining up as the weather was just heating up in early June.

In fact, as of Canada Day, there were 19 candidates for 10 positions in South Frontenac (one mayor, two councilors in each of four wards, and one school board trustee). No one is going to win a position by acclamation in 2010.

In contrast to South Frontenac, candidates have not exactly been chomping at the bit in neighbouring districts.

In Central Frontenac, there are also 10 positions available but only six candidates have registered thus far - Logan Murray for mayor; Tom Dewey for council in Kennebec ward; Richard Greenstreet and Wayne Millar in Oso ward; Philip Smith in Hinchinbrooke and Ann Goodfellow for school board trustee.

Incumbent mayor Janet Gutowski has indicated that she intends to run but has not yet registered.

In North Frontenac, only Jim Beam (for mayor) and incumbents Fred Perry (Barrie ward) and Bob Olmstead (Palmerston-Canonto) have registered thus far, and in Addington highlands only current Reeve Henry Hogg and Bill Cox (Council – southern ward) have put their names forward.

Some interesting races are already shaping up in South Frontenac.

The mayor's race between incumbent Gary Davison and current councillor John Fillion will be particularly interesting. Davison has made formal amalgamation of South Frontenac services the hallmark of his tenure, and for four years Fillion has been one the main forces of resistance against centralizing power and authority at the township office.

Confrontations between the two men have been commonplace at the council table, and this race should yield some lively debates later on in the fall.

In Loughborough District, both incumbents, Ron Vandewal and Alan McPhail are seeking re-election, but there are two other candidates as well, both of whom are well known. Percy Snider, who is a long time contractor for the township, and Fran Willes, a former councilor and mayoral candidate, will give Vandewal and McPhail a run for their money.

In Portland, long-time council member Bill Robinson is seeking re-election, as is one-term incumbent Jim Hicks. Other candidates include Doug Lovegrove, who has taken on roles with the Verona Festival, Prince Charles Public School and other organisations. John MacDougall rounds out the field thus far. MacDougall is active with the Verona Lions Club and the Verona Community Assocation. He has spearheaded the Verona “Find a Doc” campaign and has recently chaired the Sydenham Library construction committee of Council.

In Bedford District, the incumbents, David Hahn and Del Stowe, are also both running, as are Mark Tinlin and Pat Barr. Mark Tinlin is active with the Bobs and Crow Lake Association and is concerned that Bedford District does not receive its fair share of services from the township.

In Storrington District, Larry York is seeking re-election, and there are two other candidates as well, former councilor Peter Roos and Cam Naish.

Barb McLaren is seeking re-election as school board trustee and she will be opposed by Suzanne Ruttan of Perth Road Village.

So, while conversations at community barbeques this summer will be dominated by talk of the weather and gasoline prices, there may be a bit of local politicking going on in South Frontenac communities.