by Sylene Argent
Those thinking they have what it takes to be at the helm of municipal affairs over the next four years, have until Friday, July 27, at 2:00 p.m., to file, or withdraw, their name as a candidate. Municipal election nominations will then be certified by 4:00 p.m. on July 30.
The Town of Essex’s website offers an up-to-date list of potential candidates, leading up to the upcoming nomination deadline.
As of Tuesday morning, three candidates are vying for the mayor position for the Town of Essex.
Larry Snively, who currently represents Ward 3 at the decision-making table, local business owner Rob Shepley, and 35-year-old University of Windsor graduate, Katie McGuire- Blais, have submitted their names as mayoral candidates ahead of the nomination deadline.
Deputy Mayor incumbent Richard Meloche is the only one running for that position to date. This is the first year the Deputy Mayor position will be voted on at large. Earlier this year, Council, after having had a study completed on the matter, voted in favour of adding the eighth chair at the municipal decision-making table to allow the community to decide on the position-holder. Previously, after an election, councillors would decide amongst themselves who would be the Deputy Mayor for the term via secret ballot.
There are currently, six candidates running for one of two councillor positions for Essex Centre (Ward One): Tom Holland, Phil Pocock, Fred Groves, former councillor Morley Bowman, Joe Garon, and incumbent Randy Voakes.
There are currently two candidates vying for the one Ward 2 councillor position, which represents McGregor: Kim Verbeek and Mark Williams.
Steve Bjorkman, who has been representing Ward One on Council during the current term, will run in hopes of earning one of the two seats on Essex Council that represents Ward 3 (Colchester) in the 2018 election, and so is Chris Vander Doelen.
Sherry Bondy will be looking to keep her position as the representative for Ward 4 (Harrow), while former Colchester Councillor, Paul Innes, will look to take over the position.
According to the Town’s website, the 2018 Municipal Election will take place on Monday, October 22, 2018, utilizing a paper ballot system and optical scan vote tabulator machines for counting. The new term of office will commence on December 3.
The Essex Free Press will print submitted biographies on each hopeful after the nominations are closed and the candidate list is official to help residents select the candidates they want as their representatives later this fall.