Sink Your Favourite Politician

Aug 03, 2022

The Ontario municipal election schedule provides an opportunity for candidates to ease their way into the campaign during the summer months.

The deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers is August 19, and election day is October 24. (Because of electronic voting, in rural communities there is a 10-day voting period commencing on October 15.)

While it is not yet clear how many actual council and mayoral contests there will be in Frontenac County, Addington Highlands, and Tay Valley at this point, one position, the mayor's job in South Frontenac, will be at least a three-way race.

Incumbent Mayor Ron Vandewal is seeking a third term, and two term Bedford District Councillor Alan Revill, as well as for Loughborough Councillor Mark Schjerning, are running for the position as well.

The three of them will all be taking advantage of an expected crowd at the Verona Car Show this Sunday (August 7), to meet with seasonal and full-time residents.

Car show organisers decided to have a bit of fun with (or at the expense of) the three candidates. They will be featured targets of the car show dunk tank at 2:30. For a small fee, anyone, who would like to, will have the opportunity to toss a ball at a target and soak a local politician. All of the proceeds from the dunk tank will go towards the overall fundraising goal of the festival.

Organisers are hoping to raise more than the $15,600 that they raised in 2021, when the car show came back in a COVID restricted form after being cancelled entirely in 2020 due to COVID.

“This year we are full systems ahead,” said Car Show organiser John Nisman. “It helps that it is an outdoor event, and of course we are following all of the advice and recommendations of Public Health.

The dunk tank is a new addition for the car show, which also includes a live band, beer tent, full canteen presented by the Verona Lions Club, as well as the Kids Zone and a high caliber car show.

The dunk tank promises to be a popular spot throughout the afternoon. At noon, Greg Fisher (Board Chair) and David Townsend (Executive Director) of Southern Frontenac Community Services will be the targets.

John McDougall, who is currently the councillor for Bedford District (he was appointed after Pat Bar died earlier this year), will be dunked on a sponsorship of $100 by Lanark Frontenac Kingston MP Scott Reid. McDougall is not running for council this fall, but plays an active role with the South Frontenac Museum.

The Verona Car Show runs from 8am-3pm on Sunday, August 7. Admission is free (donations accepted)