Contested races set stage for Brock Township election

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: The race for Brock Township council is taking shape, as voters are set to choose from contested fields for mayor, regional councillor, and all five ward councillor positions, in the October municipal election.

With Nomination Day just around the corner, 18 candidates are currently listed for Brock Township's municipal offices, while four candidates are seeking the Durham District School Board trustee position. The candidate list remains unofficial, until nominations are certified following the August 21st deadline.

Mayor Michael Jubb is seeking another term, after taking over as Acting Mayor earlier this year. He will face Brenda Thyne in the race for the Township's top elected position.

The regional councillor race is also shaping up as a two-way contest, with incumbent Cria Pettingill facing Peter Frank, the current Ward 1 councillor.

At the local council level, Ward 1 has emerged as the most crowded race, with four candidates seeking the seat.

Current Ward 2 councillor Claire Doble is seeking to move to Ward 1, where she will face Beth Josephson, John Rush, and Peter Teolis.

Ward 2 will see Ron Den Braasem and Diana Vessel compete for the position.

Mike Samis and Chris Shier are vying for the Ward 3 councillor seat.

Ward 4 councillor Ronald Hodgson is seeking re-election and will face Sally Morgan.

Ward 5 features a two-way contest, between Anthony Macoretta and former regional councillor Ted Smith.

The candidates will be campaigning on issues which could help shape Brock's direction, over the next four years. Growth, infrastructure, roads, taxation, recreation, economic development, and the delivery of municipal services are expected to be among the issues facing the next council.

Those issues carry particular weight, in a township which stretches from the communities of Beaverton, Cannington, and Sunderland into a large rural area.

The election results will also determine who represents Brock residents at Durham Regional Council, as the regional councillor plays a role in decisions involving transportation, emergency services, housing, waste management, and other regional responsibilities.

Brock residents will also have a choice in the Durham District School Board trustee race, with Paul Breeze, James Bountrogiannis, Dave Brown, and Netalia Duboisky listed as candidates.

School board trustee candidates for Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge file their nominations through the Township of Scugog, which serves as the filing location for the three municipalities.

Nomination Day is Friday, August 21st. Candidates have until 2 p.m. to file their nomination papers or withdraw from the race.

The Township staff will then review the nominations, and the official list of certified candidates are expected to be posted by August 24th.

The municipal election is slated to take place on Monday, October 26th.

In Brock, residents can vote by using internet and telephone voting for this 2026 election which allows eligible voters to cast their ballots electronically, during the voting period. Voter Assistance Centres will also be available for residents who need help voting or require a ballot on demand.