With four of five current members having declared candidacy for the Oct. 22 election, it appears unlikely municipal council here will turn into a lame duck on July 27.
Mayor Neil Driscoll has filed nomination papers to seek re-election and councillors Lori Woodham, Dennis Craven, Marlene Ottens have all filed nomination papers.
Incumbent Ward 2 Wellington County councillor Gregg Davidson has filed nomination papers.
The deadline is July 27. A lame duck period will occur if, after that date, less than three quarters of the current council are running for re-election. A lame duck period can also occur between Oct. 22 and Nov. 30 if the election results in less than three quarters of incumbent councillors returning.
If council is in a lame duck period, councillors will not be able to:
– appoint or remove staff;
– hire or dismiss municipal employees;
– dispose of real or personal property of the municipality, which has a value exceeding $50,000; and
– make any expenditure or incur any other liability that exceeds $50,000.
Minto status
There will be a race for the position of mayor in Minto, with Terry Fisk, a former deputy mayor, challenging incumbent George Bridge.
Incumbent councillor Dave Turton is seeking the deputy mayor’s position vacated by incumbent Ron Faulkner, who has stated he is not running for re-election.
Only two candidates have filed nomination papers to seek council positions in Minto: incumbent councillor Ron Elliott and Geoff Gunson, who is currently a member of Minto’s Harriston revitalization committee.
Incumbent Ward 1 county councillor David Anderson has also declared candidacy.
