The three current mayors of the three townships surrounding Orillia are each seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal election.
Friday was the deadline to file papers to run in the Oct. 24 election.
Here’s a breakdown of who’s running for what position in the townships that surround Orillia.
Oro-Medonte
There will be a battle for the top job in Oro-Medonte.
Incumbent Mayor Harry Hughes is seeking his fifth straight term at the township’s helm. He was acclaimed in 2014, but eked out a narrow victory in 2018 against rivals John Crawford and Sandy Agnew. This time around, he’ll be facing Randy Greenlaw, who is wrapping up his first term as Ward 5 councillor.
There will be other changes around the council table as this time around, no deputy mayor will be elected. Instead, the township has decided to move from five wards to six wards.
In Ward 1, Zoe Rowe-Watson and Lori Hutchison are seeking to represent the area’s constituents. Incumbent Ian Veitch decided not to seek re-election.
In Ward 2, incumbent Tammy DeSousa is being challenged by John Bard and Eric Pattenden.
Incumbent Cathy Keane is seeking re-election in Ward 3 against David Clark and Sean Power.
In Ward 4, incumbent Shawn Scott will be looking to return to the council table. He is being opposed by Peter Lavoie.
In Ward 5, Rick Schell, Ryan McKnight and Gene Stein are hoping to win the seat vacated by Greenlaw.
In the new Ward 6, Mikhaela Beerman, Robert Ryan Cardwell and Robert J. Young are vying for the opportunity to serve constituents.
Three are in the running to be the Simcoe County District School Board trustee representing Oro-Medonte: Liz Grummett, Christina Meredith, and Leeann Pendleton. Incumbent trustee Peter Beacock is not seeking re-election.
Ramara Township
Basil Clarke is seeking a third term as mayor in Ramara Township and he’ll face a familiar foe: Marg Sharpe.
In the last municipal election in 2018, Clarke narrowly won the mayor’s job, eking out a 14-vote victory over Sharpe, who previously was a councillor in the township. A recount upheld the vote. Russ Cole is also vying for the mayor’s job.
Current Deputy Mayor Joseph Gough is also seeking re-election and will be up against Keith Bell and Dave Readman.
In Ward 1, it appears incumbent David Snutch will be acclaimed to the post as the only other candidate, Mary Ailene Reed, withdrew from the race.
In Ward 2, Jennifer Fisher will be asking voters to give her another term. Connie (Carrick) Laughlin is also running to be a council member in the ward.
Ted Lamb is seeking re-election in Ward 3 and is opposed by Dana Tuju.
In Ward 4, incumbent Gary Hetherington will be seeking votes alongside his fellow candidates Richard Black and Glenn Harrington.
There will be a new face at the council table in Ward 5 as Kal Johnson has decided not to seek re-election. There are two candidates vying for the job — and both live on the same street. Voters will be asked to choose between Sherri Bell and Georgina (Georgi) Jennings.
Severn Township
Mike Burkett, first elected in 2010, is seeking his fourth term as mayor of the township and, after being acclaimed in 2018, he will be vying for votes against Mark Gibbons this time around.
The race for deputy mayor will be interesting as two longtime politicians will be going head-to-head. Incumbent Jane Dunlop will be facing Judith Cox, currently the Ward 2 councillor.
In Ward 1, Mark Taylor is acclaimed.
In Ward 2, Cox’s decision to challenge Dunlop means there will be a new face at the council table. There are four in the running in the ward: Colin Bidmead, Jessica Gunby, Dan Janssen and Geraldine Taylor-Cook.
Philip Brennan is acclaimed in Ward 3.
Longtime councillor and former Orillia and Severn mayor Ron Stevens is not seeking re-election in Ward 4. Michael Hansen and Wanda Minnings will face off to see who will be the new face at the council table in the ward.
Jim McIntyre is acclaimed in Ward 5.
Wondering who is running for city council and mayor in Orillia? Click here to read our story.
The list of candidates is expected to be certified by the city clerk’s office on Monday.
Candidate profiles and other election-related news can also be viewed on OrilliaMatters’ municipal election page by clicking here.
