CENTRE WELLINGTON – Bronwynne Wilton is now, unofficially at least, the sole candidate interested in running in Ward 5 in Centre Wellington in the municipal election this fall.
Peter Viol, who filed his papers on July 4 and is the only other candidate in Ward 5, contacted the township on Sept. 6 to withdraw his name.
However, official withdrawals had to be declared prior to the Aug. 19 deadline to file a nomination.
“We are unable to accept Peter Viol’s withdraw of nomination and Bronwynne (Wilton) cannot be acclaimed,” clerk Kerri O’Kane stated in a Sept. 7 email to the Advertiser.
That means Viol’s name will appear on ballots, despite his wish to withdraw.
“I can’t commit the time to the process to treat it fairly,” Viol said in a phone interview on Sept. 6.
“I just can’t do justice to it.”
Though Viol is retired, he started a property maintenance business that is keeping him hopping.
“I always viewed the job of councillor as a full-time position and when I signed up, things were not as hectic,” he said.
Viol added he may be in a better position for the next municipal election.
Wilton is the owner of Wilton Consulting Group and has an interest in sustainability in the face of climate change, and innovation in the agri-food industry.
While happy and relieved to know she’s most likely to a member of council, “I was having fun on the campaign trail as well,” Wilton said in a phone interview.
“I’m still planning to go out and knock on doors, and let people know who I am.
“But it definitely is exciting to know I’ll (probably) be at the table. That was the goal, after all.”
Ward 5 is largely rural but includes parts of Fergus and Belwood.
It stretches from Sideroad 25 to the Grand River and from Highway 6 to East-West Garafraxa Townline.
Current Ward 5 councillor Stephen Kitras announced early in the summer he is not running again.
*This story has been updated from an earlier version, which incorrectly stated Wilton would be acclaimed.
