Municipal race gets off ground
Three-way mayoral race, 19 hopefuls for eight-seat council
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 24, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The nomination window for candidates wishing to run in Fort Simpson's upcoming municipal and district educational authority elections closed Sept. 21 with a total of 35 names.
Thirteen put their names down for the authority's elections, while 19 will be running for council and three will be vying for the title of mayor.
There are currently six seats on the authority and eight on council, including two that are currently vacant.
Candidates had 48 hours to withdraw from the race. The deadline passed on Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. Voters have 72 hours after nominations close to contest the eligibility of a candidate, a deadline that will end Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.
Returning officer Tammie Cazon said in order to contest a candidate's nomination, voters must express their reasons to her in writing.
Once notified, she will determine the eligibility of the candidate in question and let the complainant know what her decision is.
She added it is unusual to have such hotly contended races.
For mayor, incumbent Sean Whelly - who was acclaimed in 2012 - will be seeking a third term against John Dempsey and Darlene Sibbeston.
On council, five of six currently-sitting councillors are running again with the exception of Renalyn Pascua-Matte, who instead put her name in to serve on the authority.
Pascua-Matte said she made the decision not to run again for council due to a lack of time, given that she will be taking courses with the GNWT.
"I'm too busy," she said, adding a position on the authority would be more manageable with her workload.
Council candidates include incumbents Tom Wilson, Stella Nadia, Marie Lafferty, Bob Hanna and Larry Campbell. New candidates include AJ Augier, Michael Rowe, Ivan Simons, Eric Menicoche, Jarret Hardisty, Catharine Simms, Liza McPherson, Cheryl Cli, Betty A. Hardisty, Rock Matte, Charles Blythe, Walter Blondin, Muaz Hassan and Kathy Konisenta.
The list of candidates for DEA includes Dennis Nelner, Teena Lafferty, Katherine Dempsey, Stephanie Cudmore, Betty A. Hardisty, Ashley Menicoche, Lisa Lafferty, Walter Blondin, Crystal Gaule, Stella Nadia, Kathy Konisenta, Renalyn Pascua-Matte and Andrea Mitchell.
Advance polling is scheduled to take place at the village office on Oct. 5.
Election day is Oct. 19. At that time, voters will be able to cast their ballots at the recreation centre.
