The nomination period for the 2022 municipal elections opened this week, and some local politicians have already confirmed mayoral bids in Grey Bruce.
Richard Thomas, who has served on Owen Sound city council since 2014, filed papers to run for mayor the first day nominations were accepted Monday, May 2.
Thomas told the Owen Sound Sun Times he had been thinking of running for mayor for quite some time, and is ready for a new challenge after eight years as a councillor.
Ian Boddy has been the city’s mayor since 2014, after first being elected as a city councillor in 2010. He has not yet filed nomination papers for the 2022 election, but says that will come in time.
“I fully intend to run for another term,” Boddy says.
In Meaford, Ross Kentner has his sights set on the mayor’s chair after serving as a councillor for the past four years. He is listed as an unofficial candidate for mayor already. Barb Clumpus has served as Meaford’s mayor for the past two terms, since 2014. Bayshore Broadcasting News reached out to inquire about her plans for the 2022 election, but has yet to receive a response.
West Grey Mayor Christine Robinson has already filed to seek re-election for a second term.
“I am running for mayor for another term because I believe West Grey continues to need the experienced leadership, knowledge and dedication that I provide and I will continue to work tirelessly for the citizens of West Grey,” says Robinson in a release. “I am proud of the community building accomplishments under my leadership, however, we must keep going, there is more hard work ahead and I will carry on with the job of building a bright future for our community.”
Gary Michi has put his paper work in for a run at mayor in South Bruce Peninsula. Janice Jackson, who was first elected to municipal council in 2010, has served as the town’s mayor since 2014. Bayshore Broadcasting News contacted Jackson to ask about her plans for the fall election but did not receive a response by publication time.
And in Huron-Kinloss, Don Murray — the current deputy mayor — is the lone person to file for a mayoral bid a few days into the nomination period. Mitch Twolan has been the township’s mayor since 2004, after he was first elected as a councillor in 1999.
The deadline to file nominations for the 2022 municipal and school board elections is Aug. 19, 2022.
Election day for municipal councils and school boards in Ontario is Oct. 24, 2022.