Home » Chatham-Kent Municipal Election 2010 » Chatham-Kent election day is three months away
Chatham-Kent election day is three months away
Chatham-Kent Council Chambers - CKDP File Photo
In a little less than three months, a new Chatham-Kent Council will be formed.
With many candidates already in full campaign mode, many others have yet to state their intentions for running in the 2010 Municipal election – which takes place Oct. 25.
Running for the top spot in C-K, current Wallaceburg Counc. Tom McGregor and Eberts resident Ian McLarty are both vying for the mayor’s chair.
Incumbent mayor Randy Hope has yet to file his nomination papers, but Hope had previously told the CKDP that he plans to file his papers in September.
All candidates have until Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. to file.
In C-K’s most populated Ward – the city of Chatham Ward 6 – only one incumbent, Marjorie Crew, has filed.
Douglas Sulman, Anne Gilbert, Steve Pickard, Don Clarke and Larry Mansfield Robbins have yet to state their intentions.
Also running in Ward 6 is Derek Robertson, Michael Bondy, Mary Lee, Duncan Davidson, Jack Long, Bruce Caldwell and Chris Lozon.
Incumbents Bryon Fluker and Brian King are the only candidates to have filed in Ward 1 – West Kent.
Similar in Ward 3, West Kent, incumbents Steve Pinsonneault and Jim Brown are the only candidates to have filed their papers.
In South Kent, Ward 2 incumbents Art Stirling, Karen Herman and Frank Vercouteren all all running once again, as is Erieau resident Brian Case.
Incumbent councillor Joe Faas has yet to state his intentions for runnin g in Ward 4 – North Kent, while the other incumbent Bill Weaver, stated that he will not be seeking re-election.
Running in Ward 4 are Frank Letourneau, Robert Kominek, Aaron Neaves, Leon Leclair and Keith Pretty.
In Ward 5 – Wallaceburg, incumbent Sheldon Parsons has filed his papers, while incumbent Tom McGregor has filed to run for the mayor’s chair.
Also running in Wallaceburg are Travis Hooper, Diane Daly and Matt Wood.
In the last C-K Municipal election in 2006, a total of 58 individuals filed their papers to run for the various positions across Chatham-Kent.
There was a total of seven mayoral candidates, three candidates in Ward 1 – West Kent, 10 candidates in Ward 2 – South Kent, six candidates in Ward 3 – East Kent, six candidates in Ward 4 – North Kent, nine candidates in Ward 5 – Wallaceburg and 17 candidates in Ward 6 – Chatham.
Come election day on Oct. 25, one candidate will assume the mayor’s chair, six candidates will represent Chatham, three candidates will represent South Kent and two candidates will each represent West Kent, East Kent, North Kent and Wallaceburg.
MikeyMoney
July 30, 2010 at 5:26 pm
OK is there any way to have a CKDP revolt to have McLarty removed from vying for the mayoral seat? After that than its up to the people to vote between an educated poli-sci lawyer with decades of municipal experience versus whatshisname?…if Hope wins than we look worse than Windsor – at least Laporte isn’t running down there
CK Resident
July 30, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I agree. McLarty is an absolute joke. The guy can’t even complete a sentence. He is an embarassment to CK
Rob
July 30, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Let’s wait until we hear more from Mr. McLarty.
We can all pass judgment on him after we’ve heard all he has to say.
CK Resident
July 30, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I’ve known this guy for 10 years Rob and am quite capable of forming my own opinion. Thanks anyway.
Editorial
July 30, 2010 at 9:49 pm
OK, let me be more direct then…
Don’t come on the site and call the election candidates names or your comments will simply be removed.
People who hide behind bogus screen names to call names are an embarrassment to me.
Tell you what, call me and confirm your identity, post your name, and you can call him whatever you want.
Chris Lozon
July 30, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Let’s keep the personal insults to a minimum, focus on the issues, be thankful we have this opportunity and take comfort in the realization that CK at its worst is still better than many places in this crazy world at their best.
Jim in Wallaceburg
August 2, 2010 at 12:08 am
The accepted sentiment that Mr. McLarty is not the people’s choice for Mayor of Chatham-Kent will be reflected at the ballot box on October 25.
His campaign platform of municipal fiscal restraint for the Capital Theatre is an election or two tardy and his economic renewal proposal to welcome Toronto’s garbage is negligent.
In a three-horse-race Mr. McLarty might garner 1,000 votes however the best he will be able to obtain is 3% of the popular vote and that is only if other Negative Nelly’s do not enter the race – which is a certainty.
That being said, we should exercise acumen with our on-line criticism of any candidate for municipal office. It is a great deal easier to be an armchair critic than someone who has made the decision the put their names and views forward for your consideration.
vote4hooper
August 3, 2010 at 9:05 am
This is a great opportunity for Change this election with some strong candidates in each Ward coming forward to challenge the incumbents. The voters are the ones that can make the change a reality, vote for candidates with a vision of what C-K can become and not what it was!
Joel
August 3, 2010 at 11:37 am
Hooper is Sooper!
Marlee
August 5, 2010 at 4:08 am
I notice in his sponsored statement that Chris Lozon says he understands the importance of culture and heritage – although he does not say how or in what context. I look forward to more details from him.
It is becoming more and more clear that “Culture Grows the Economy” – look at the turnout in Erieau last Saturday for Art on the Boulevard and the positive economic impact in Ridgetown the Saturday before during the Festival of Porches & Verandahs. And Highgate is looking to The Mary Webb Centre (a possible cultural community centre) to revitalise the area.
I hope all the candidates will take a public stand on culture, the arts and our heritage – let us know what you think and how you, as a Councillor, would support this vital leg of Chatham-Kent’s economy.
I would particularly like to hear from the candidates for Mayor who they will help culture grow so it can continue to put dollars in the pockets of Chatham-Kent’s people.
Chris Lozon
August 11, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Marlee, I grew up in a strong francophone community and attended french schooling through Grade 10 at ESPC. I am proud to say my children also attend french schooling at Ecole Ste Marie here in Chatham and we still maintain strong ties to a family that is very much proud of its language and heritage.
On a commercial level – and as a broader community – there is still much work to be done and opportunities to be had in promoting francophone, black, first nations, etc… culture/heritage both within and beyond CK. This diversity needs to be accentuated as part of our identity – as well as our economy – going forward.
More to come as the campaign progresses…
heritage junkie
August 11, 2010 at 11:56 pm
don’t forget Dutch, Scottish, Irish and English heritage – oh, and heritage buildings (Pain Court has just sold one of its oldest buildings to be demolished and reassembled elsewhere) – how about some nominations for Mayor’s Heritage Awards from the francophone, black, first nations, Dutch communities?
concerned
August 11, 2010 at 11:58 am
A couple of news stories from today have me confused. CFCO reports that Siemens is building its new wind turbine plant in Burlington and Mayor Hope says this doesn’t derail local hopes of attracting a similar factory.
The Hamilton Spectator reports that Siemens (whose head office is in Burlington) has shortlisted two Hamilton locations on its sort list of 16 for the new wind turbine plant and Siemens will the select the location September.
If Mayor Hope has this wrong then his words does nothing to enhance Chatham-Kent’s job of getting those 300 well paying jobs and 600 spin-off construction jobs. What gives?
Frank O'Neill
August 11, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Some facts here are needed here. Yesterday’s press release by Siemens (https://www.siemens.ca/web/portal/en/press/Pages/SiemenswillsupplywindturbinestoSamsungCT.aspx) says nothing about the location of any manufacturing facilities, only that they will be a manufacturer.
Editorial
August 11, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Thanks very much Frank!
concerned
August 11, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for confirming, Frank. Siemens (whose head office is in Burlington) announced yesterday that it has entered into an agreement with Samsung to build the wind blade plant – that is it. Chatham-Kent is still on the short-list of 16 with a decision about the new plant location to be made at the end of September. Man, what a gaff. You have the incumbent with (likely better than) a 1-in-16 chance of benefitting from landing some great jobs in Chatham-Kent weeks before the election – for no reason other than being the incumbent. Then this bout of foot-in-the mouth. That concerns me.
Chris Lozon
August 12, 2010 at 12:00 am
I agree about the confusion regarding this issue. On one hand it sounds as though CKSY may have jumped the gun. On the other, Hope’s comments seem to indicate he’s convinced – on less than the facts – that Burlington has indeed been already selected. However, by all accounts the decision still appears to be pending as of today…stay tuned.
concerned
August 14, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I can pardon the media for getting the story wrong. What I find inexcusable is Mayor Hope making such erroneous public statements without first check the facts with municipal departments or anyone in the know. He boasts about courting Samsung yet has no idea of the process or timelines. I was able to determine that Siemens was to make the announcement at the end of September after a five minute search yet he state he doesn’t have any time lines for deals to be announced. He boasts the municipality continues to attract a solar equipment manufacturer and hours later Canadian Solar Inc. announced at $30-million investment that will employ 500 workers in Guelph.
There is simply too much on the line to have a faux pas of this magnitude made by the Mayor. Chatham-Kent needs jobs and too many mistakes have been made over the past decade when it comes to attracting new investment. We deserve better – in fact we should demand better.
Chris Lozon
August 14, 2010 at 8:47 pm
You’re preaching to the converted!