Scugog election takes shape as nomination day approaches

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: The race for Scugog Township council is taking shape, as voters set to choose from contested fields for mayor, regional councillor, and all five ward councillor positions, in October.

With nomination day just around the corner, 17 candidates are currently listed for the Township’s seven municipal offices, setting the stage for a competitive election campaign across Scugog.

Mayor Wilma Wotten is seeking another term but will face challenges from current Regional Councillor Ian McDougall and Mike Coll.

The regional councillor race will also feature three candidates, as Patricia Conlin, Terry Coyne, and Wayne Hancock compete for the seat.

At the local council level, incumbent David Le Roy will face Scott Blachar in Ward 1.

Ward 2 will see Alisa Cole and Richard Hinton compete for the position currently held by Janna Guido.

In Ward 3, Rosario Greco and Sean Taylor are seeking the seat currently held by Robert Rock.

Ward 4 councillor, Harold Wright is seeking re-election and will face Brad Martyn.

Ward 5 features a three-way race, between Janna Guido, Marion Meyers, and Stephen Kotyck, for the position currently held by Terry Coyne.

The candidates will be campaigning on issues which will help shape Scugog’s direction over the next four years. Decisions around growth, infrastructure, roads, recreation, taxation, and municipal services are expected to be among the issues facing the next council.

The election comes as Scugog continues to deal with the pressures associated with growth, while maintaining infrastructure and services across the Township’s urban and rural communities.

Nomination day is Friday, August 21st. Candidates can file their nomination papers with the Township Clerk, until 2 p.m. that day.

Once nominations close, the campaign will move into its final stretch, before voting begins in October.

Scugog will offer both internet and in-person voting. Online voting will be available, beginning October 14th, at 10 a.m., and will remain open until October 26th, at 8 p.m.

Residents can also vote in person, at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre, Greenbank Hall, Blackstock Recreation Complex, and Scugog Island Hall. Advance voting opportunities begin October 16th, with additional dates leading up to election day.

Voters may cast their ballot at any of the designated voting locations, regardless of where they qualify to vote.

Voter Information Packages are expected to be delivered, in early October, to residents on the voters’ list.

The Township is encouraging residents to make sure their information is up to date, particularly for those who have recently moved or changed their name.

The municipal election takes place on Monday, October 26th.

With contested races now established across Scugog, the coming weeks will give residents an opportunity to hear from the candidates and decide who they want representing the Township, at both the local and regional levels, for the next term of council.