Orillia will soon have a new mayor and several new city councillors. And you will decide who sits in what chair at city hall for the next four years.
The deadline for candidates to file their papers to run in the Oct. 24 election was 2 p.m. today.
There are three candidates running to replace two-term Mayor Steve Clarke, who has opted not to seek re-election.
Mason Ainsworth, who has served for two terms as a Ward 3 councillor, is looking to become the city’s next mayor.
Don McIssac, a chartered professional accountant who recently returned to his hometown to retire, is seeking to become mayor, a job both his mother and father held in years past.
John Maxwell, who also ran in the 2014 municipal election, is the third candidate running to helm the city’s government.
In the city’s four wards, there are 27 candidates hoping to fill the eight positions.
In Ward 1, incumbent David Campbell is seeking a second term. Current Ward 2 Coun. Rob Kloostra, who withdrew from the mayoral race in July, has opted to run in Ward 1 this time around. The other candidates in Ward 1 are Paul Cain, Mathew Lund, Rick Sinotte and Whitney Smith.
There are nine candidates in Ward 2. Incumbent Ralph Cipolla is joined by Alan Bayne, Gilles DePratto, Harold Dougall, Ian Gordon, Brian Hare, Luke Leatherdale, Dael Morris and Robert Winacott.
In Ward 3, incumbent Jay Falis is seeking a second term at the council table. Other candidates include Deval Brahmbhatt, Jeff Czetwerzuk, Zak Gariba, Elizabeth Van Houtte and Nick Wray.
Tim Lauer is seeking re-election in Ward 4. Other candidates include Janet-Lynne Durnford, Paula Hill-Coulson, Kyle Peacock, Pat Reid and Joe Winacott.
Trustees are also elected during a municipal election. Jodi Lloyd is seeking re-election as the Simcoe County District School Board’s English-language trustee for Orillia and area. She is being challenged by Meghan Dunlop.
Jill Colin is the lone candidate to be the English-language trustee of the area for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
Saveria Caruso and Eric Lapointe are vying to become the French-language public district school board trustee.
Claire Thibideau is the lone candidate for the French-language trustee for the separate district school board.
The list of candidates is expected to be certified by the city clerk’s office on Monday.
For more information on the city election, click here.
Candidate profiles and other election-related news can also be viewed on OrilliaMatters’ municipal election page by clicking here.
