2022 Municipal Election could be less than lively

Jeff Green | Jul 13, 2022

With 5 weeks to go until the deadline to file a nomination, there is only one contested race out of 17 positions on Frontenac County and Addington Highlands Councils thus far.

That position is that of South Frontenac Mayor. Two time incumbent Ron Vandewal will be facing off against Alan Revill, a two time incumbent on Council, and the Chief Building Official.

A lot more can happen in 5 weeks, but here is where the race stands now. In addition to a Mayor, each township has two elected officials in each ward or district.

Elsewhere in South Frontenac, Suzanne Quenneville is the only candidate in Bedford District, leaving an open spot. In Loughborough, there are two candidates, Randy Ruttan (incumbent) and Mark Segsworth, the former Public Works Manager for South Frontenac. In Portland, Ray Leonard (inc) and Doug orey (inc) are running. Finally, in Storrington Norm Roberts (inc) and Phil Archambault, who has run for Mayor and for MP as a Liberal, are running.

In Central Frontenac, Mayor Frances Smith is seeking re-election. There are no candidates thus far for the two Kennebec Council positions. In Olden District, Victor Heese (inc) and Bill Everett are running. In Oso district, Bill Macdonald (inc) is running. In Hinchinbrooke district, Nicki Gowdy (inc) is running again.

In North Frontenac, Mayor Higgins is seeking re-election. In ward 1 (Barrie) there are two candidates for the two positions, Michael Hage and Stephanie Regent. In ward 2 (Clarendon and Miller) there are two candidates as well, Gerry Martin (inc) and Roy Huetl. And in ward 3 (Palmerston Canonto) there is only one, John Inglis (inc)

In the election for school board trustees, which takes place concurrently with municipal council elections, there is candidate, Rachel Laforest, for the Public School Board. There is also candidate for the French Separate School Board, Michel Charron. There are no candidates thus for the English Separate School Board (Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic School Board).

For the English Public School Board (Limestone District School Board), there are no candidates thus far for the South Frontenac position. In Central/North Frontenac and Addington Highlands, Karen McGregor (inc) said that she will be filing her nomination papers this week. McGregor is currently serving a one-year term, ending next June, as a board member with the Ontario Public School Board Association, and will need to be re-elected to the Limestone Board of Trustees in order to serve that year out.

The municipal election is set for October 24, but electronic voting will take place for a ten day period ending on that day.