When eligible voters in Whitewater Region Township go to the polls on October 27, they will have opportunity to select a mayor, reeve and five councillors, as well as a trustee for the Renfrew County District School Board and the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board.
There will be advance voting starting on Monday, Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. by phone or internet and continues right through election day, ending at 8 p.m. on Oct. 27th.
On Election Day, Monday, Oct. 27, there will be two polls — one at the Township Office in Cobden and another at the Westmeath Community Centre. The two locations will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Each of these locations will offer a paper ballot, or phone or internet voting.
There will also be polls at both Caressant Care and Country Haven retirement homes, in Cobden and Beachburg respectively, with election staff available to assist residents with a paper ballot.
Those wanting to submit nomination papers to be a municipal candidate can do so at the township hall in Cobden when it is open Monday through Friday until Sept. 11.
The final day to file nomination papers is Friday Sept. 12, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
To file nomination papers for the trustee positions, you can do so for the Renfrew County District School Board in Cobden, while you must file in Renfrew for the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 20, the list of those who have filed nomination papers are:
Mayor: Jim Labow (incumbent)
Reeve: Don Rathwell (incumbent)
Councillors: Howard Winters, Daryl McLaughlin (incumbent), Joey Trimm (incumbent), Cathy Regier (incumbent), John Felix Cull, Doug Shields and Donna Burns
Renfrew County District School Board Trustee: Dave Shields (incumbent)
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board Trustee: None as of yet
There is information available for those who are still deciding if they want to run for council.
Mayor Labow said he would be willing to talk to people about being a municipal councillor.
The Township of Whitewater Region is hosting an information session on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at the municipal hall in Cobden.
The purpose of the orientation session is to provide information about the election process and details about the roles and responsibilities of members of council and school board trustees. Time commitments, remuneration and the role of municipal staff will also be discussed.
Stephen Seller, the township’s Municipal Advisor from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, will facilitate the session and township chief administrative officer Christine FitzSimons will also present information to provide specifics relevant to Whitewater Region. Election candidates in neighbouring municipalities and townships are also invited to attend. The orientation session is free of charge and is not intended to be a forum for political debate or campaigning.
Please RSVP your attendance to: [email protected]
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario also offers a course that will provide an overview of what you need to know before you decide to run for municipal office and what you should know to begin your candidacy. You work at your own pace and your own time. The cost is $24.95. To register go to www.amo.on.ca, click on the banner So you want to run for council, and log in. The course builds on the experience of elected officials – what they didn’t know that they wish they did.
Questions that you may have that will be answered include: what does it take to run for council; what should I know before I run; the media and me; what are the powers and influence of municipal government; what rules, regulations and laws govern my actions as an elected official.
