The deadline to file nomination papers to run in the upcoming municipal election was at 2 p.m. today.
Here's a look at how the races shape up in our region.
ORILLIA
There were no dramatic, last-minute entries into the race to become Orillia’s mayor or to land a job as one of the municipality's eight city councillors.
Yesterday, Gordon Launchbury announced his intention to seek the city’s top political post and will challenge incumbent Mayor Steve Clarke in the Oct. 22 municipal election.
Perhaps the only surprise today was that Ward 3 councillor Jeff Clark chose not to seek re-election. Every other single councillor is running again; Sarah Valiquette-Thompson, however, is running in Severn Township, where she now resides.
In all, there are 18 citizens running in Orillia’s four wards. Two are elected in each ward.
In Ward 1, Ted Emond is seeking re-election. David Campbell and Ken Abbott are also candidates in the ward.
In Ward 2, both incumbents – Ralph Cipolla and Rob Kloostra – are seeking another term. Tshweu Moleme and Harold Dougall are hoping to unseat the veterans.
Mason Ainsworth is seeking a second term in Ward 3. Also running in that ward are Jay Fallis, Betsy Gross, Jodie Wilson and Fior Tucci.
There is a crowded field of candidates in Ward 4. Incumbents Pat Hehn and Tim Lauer are hoping to return to their posts, but will have to beat out five challengers: Peter Hislop, Stephanie Kenny, Ed Novosky, Andrew Shuttleworth and Richard Weese.
There was one last-minute entry today: Former long-time trustee Debra Edwards filed her papers and will challenge incumbent Jodi Lloyd as the Orillia English-Language representative of the Simcoe County District School Board.
Incumbent Francis Smith has no challenger for his position as the area’s English-Language representative of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
ORO-MEDONTE
Harry Hughes is seeking re-election as Mayor of Oro-Medonte Township. Current Ward 4 councillor John Crawford and former Ward 3 councillor Sandy Agnew are also seeking the township’s top post. Agnew formerly ran unsuccessfully for the deputy-mayor position.
Ralph Hough, who was acclaimed in 2014 as the deputy-mayor, is being opposed by Ward 5 councillor Scott Jeremy.
In Ward 1, Ian Veitch and John Thornton have thrown their hat into the ring.
In Ward 2, incumbent Scott Macpherson is seeking another term. Tammy DeSousa is also running in the ward.
Phil Hall is seeking re-election in Ward 3; Cathy Keane has also decided to run.
There will be a new person representing Ward 4 in the next term of council. Errin Dickins, Shawn Scott and Bruce Wiggins are on the ballot.
There will also be a newcomer in Ward 5, where Randy Greenlaw and Joan Kelly are seeking election.
SEVERN TOWNSHIP
In Severn Township, Mayor Mike Burkett will be acclaimed as mayor.
Jane Dunlop will also be acclaimed as deputy-mayor. Dunlop is currently a Ward 2 councillor.
In Ward 1, incumbent Mark Taylor is being opposed by Suzanne Burtenshaw.
In Ward 2, Judith Cox, who is the current deputy mayor, is running against Colin Bidmead in the seat vacated as a result of Dunlop’s decision to run for deputy mayor.
In Ward 3, John Betsworth is hoping for another term; he is being opposed by Phil Brennan, Lynda Gibbons and Mike Winacott.
Veteran councillor Ron Stevens will be acclaimed as councillor in Ward 4.
In Ward 5, incumbent Don Westcott is running as is Sarah Valiquette-Thompson, currently a city councillor in Orillia.
RAMARA TOWNSHIP
There is a contest for the mayor’s job in Ramara Township.
Incumbent Basil Clarke is being opposed by current Ward 2 councillor Marg Sharpe.
Veteran Ramara politician John O’Donnell is seeking another team as deputy-mayor and will face a challenge from Bob Reynolds, Mandy Davison and Maurice McMillan, a former Orillia city councillor.
In Ward 1, four political newcomers are seeking election: Glenn Spriggs, David Snutch, George Cronk and Ken Burd. Incumbent Marilyn Brooks opted not to run again.
In Ward 2, the race is wide open now that Sharpe is running for mayor. There are three candidates: former mayor Bill Duffy, Connie Laughlin and Joe Gough.
There will also be a new face in Ward 3. Long-time councillor Erika Neher is not seeking re-election, opening the door for a newcomer. Michele Sharpe, William E. (Ted) Lamb and Anita Cook are seeking the position.
In Ward 4, incumbent John Appleby is running again. Also running: Gary Hetherington, Anton Muzychka and Jonathan Otis.
Finally, in Ward 5, incumbent Kal Johnson is seeking re-election and will be opposed by Gleb Muzychka.
