Municipal election races are starting to heat up in the Highlands.
As a result, the public will have choices when it comes to mayor of three of the four townships.
Incumbent Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter has filed his nomination papers. He will try to maintain his seat while three others: current councillor-at-large Tammy McKelvey, current coun. Pam Sayne, and Minden businessman Pat Kitcheman try to replace him.
Incumbent deputy-mayor Lisa Schell now has opposition, with Ivan Ingram switching to council’s second in command, from Ward 1.
The councillor-at-large job will see a race between incumbent Bob Sisson and former coun. Ron Nesbitt.
Ward one is represented by two councillors, and sitting member Shirley Johannessen is running again. She is being challenged by Dan Garbutt.
Ward 2 has a new contender in Brad Griffin squaring off against Stephen Hertel, who has unsuccessfully run in the past. And Ward 3 currently has one contender: Jeff Hancock from Irondale.
Dysart et al has a mayor’s race, with current coun. Pat Casey seeking the top job, opposed by Greg Bishop and Andrew Nowell.
Walt McKechnie is so far the only contender for deputy mayor. Ward 1 sees Danny Roberts so far squaring off against Rob McCaig; Mike Waller is the only candidate as of now for Ward 2; Tammy Donaldson gets a run for her money in Ward 3 with Geoff Webber and Marianne Schlottke seeking that seat; Carm Sawyer is so far alone for Ward 4; and ward five sees a challenge for Barry Boice from Kirby Bagg. Nancy Wood-Roberts is not running.
In Highlands East, it’s so far a two-person race for mayor with incumbent Dave Burton being challenged by Steven Kauffeldt.
There are no races yet in the other wards. Bill Easton has filed for Ward 1; Angela Lewis for Ward 2; Cecil Ryall for Ward 3 and Ruth Strong for Ward 4. Cam McKenzie is not seeking re-election.
In Algonquin Highlands, it’s a slow start to the election. So far, only incumbent mayor Liz Danielsen and Ward 2 coun. Lisa Barry have filed. Deputy major Jennifer Dailloux is not running. Results are as of noon June 24. The last day to file a nomination is Friday, Aug. 21, by 2 p.m.
