Few contested positions in municipal campaign

Jeff Green | Jul 11, 2018

There is only one race for Mayor thus far in Frontenac County, and races in only a single district in North, South and Central Frontenac as the deadline for nominations nears.

In North Frontenac, Mayor Ron Higgins is running for re-election, and incumbent Fred Perry is the only candidate for the two ward 1 (Barrie) positions. Gerry Martin and Vernon Hermer are both running again in ward 2 (Clarendon-Miller). In ward 3 (Palmerston) Fred Fowler is challenging the two incumbents, John Inglis and Denis Bedard.

In Central Frontenac, Mayor Frances Smith is uncontested thus far. Incumbent Tom Dewey is running in ward 1 (Kennebec) as is Isaac Hale. In ward 2 (Olden) only incumbent Victor Heese is running, and in ward 3 only incumbent Bill Macdonald is the only candidate thus far. The only contested ward is Number 4, where incumbents Brent Cameron and Phil Smith will be contending with Nickie Gowdy for the two council spots.

In South Frontenac there is a race for Mayor between current Mayor Ron Vandewal and Loughborough District Councillor Mark Schjerning. The Storrington ward incumbents, Ron Sleeth and Norm Roberts, are both running, as are the incumbents in Bedford District, Pat Barr and Alan Revill. In Loughbrough, Ross Sutherland is seeking re-election, and Fran Willes is running as well. The only contested district thus far is Portland. In what promises to be a wide-open race, incumbent Brad Barbeau (who was appointed when Bill Robinson died) and Ray Leonard, Bruno Albano, Doug Morey and Tom Bruce are all seeking one of the two council positions.

And in Addington Highlands there are only three candidates in the entire township: One for Mayor (incumbent Henry Hogg) and one each in ward 1 (Denbigh - Royce Rosenblath) and ward 2 Kaladar – incumbent Bill Cox). Down in Frontenac Islands it is the same story. Dennis Doyle is running for re-election and there is one candidate in both Howe (Bruce Higgs) and Wolfe Island (Barbara Springgay) for the two seats that are available.

Over in Tay Valley, there are three candidates for Reeve: incumbent Keith Kerr, Susan Freeman (former Deputy Reeve), and Brian Campbell (current Deputy Reeve). In Sherbrooke ward there are two candidates for the two spots: incumbent Mark Burnham and Rob Rainer.

Finally, in Lanark Highlands, there is a contested election for Deputy Mayor between incumbent John Hall and Bob Mingie, Terry Donaldson is the only candidate for Mayor, and in ward 5 Jeannie Kelso is seeking re-election. There is only one councillor per ward in Lanark Highlands.