Revill to run for Mayor of SF, Gowdy possible for CF

Jeff Green | Feb 02, 2022

There will be a mayoralty election in South Frontenac this fall.

It is still early in the year, and there is a provincial election cycle to work through before the municipal election comes into focus, and nominations will not even open for three months.

Still, some municipal politicians in Frontenac County and Addington Highlands have been thinking about their political future.

The Frontenac News emailed all of the council members in Addington Highlands, North, Central and South Frontenac late last week asking them if they are planning to run again for their current position or another position, and if they are not running or undecided.

Over the weekend the answers trickled in, and we are expecting more in the coming days and weeks.

Alan Revill has served two terms on council in South Frontenac, and worked as chief building official in both South and Central Frontenac, and is a current member of Frontenac County Council after being selected by other members of South Frontenac Council for a four year term.

He said that he has decided to run for mayor in October, challenging two time incumbent Ron Vandewal who indicated he will run for re-election, when asked in early January.

“With seventeen years of municipal council experience, service on county council, knowledge of the township as the former chief building official, I am ready to serve as mayor. There are many issues to focus on including our road network, climate change, the environment, customer service, development policies and communal services to name a few,” Revill said in an emailed response to the News.”

In Central Frontenac, Nicky Gowdy, the first term Councillor from Hinchinbrooke District, said “I currently do plan to run in the fall election. I am undecided as to which position as I’m taking my time to make the best decision for my constituents, my family and for myself.”

Frances Smith, the two time incumbent mayor of the township, also indicated early that she intends to run again.

Among others who have responded, John McDougall, Bedford District Councillor in South Frontenac, who was appointed last fall to serve out this term after the death of Pat Barr, said when he was appointed, that he would not be running in 2022, and he reiterated that he is not running, in very clear terms.

On the other hand, long serving Councillor Norm Roberts (Storrington District) will be running in South Frontenac, as will one term incumbent Randy Ruttan (Loughborough), and one term incumbent Doug Morey (Portland).

“Internet connectivity, Recreation master plan, Verona housing project, some of the more recent developments, and seeing through the finalization of the Official Plan are some issues I would like to see through to completion. I am hoping to continue to serve South Frontenac and the district of Portland to the best of my ability for another term,” Morey said.

The remaining three South Frontenac Councillors have not responded yet.

In Central Frontenac, aside from Nicky Gowdy, there has been no response, and it is a similar story in North Frontenac.

In Addington Highlands, Councillor David Miles said that he intends to run again in ward 2, and long serving ward 1 Councillor, Tony Fritsch, said “I quite enjoy the challenges and the rewards of serving our community through my role on council, and working with other members of council, staff, and the public, to work through issues and look for ways to make improvements”, and that he will be making his decision about seeking another four year term in the spring.

On Monday (January 31), we asked the incumbent school board trustees in the region, Karen McGregor (Central and North Frontenac and Addington), Suzanne Ruttan (South Frontenac), in the Limestone District School Board (LDSB) and Wendy Procter (Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, if they were running.

Karen McGregor responded quickly, saying she will be running again.

She said she has “recently been elected to represent LDSB as a director of the board for OPSBA (Ontario Public School Board Association) which starts this fall” a position she will only be able to maintain if she is re-elected to the board of trustees.