A couple of local women have joined the race, in campaigning for a seat on Chatham-Kent council. As it stands, of the 32 residents running for council, only six are women.
The deadline to file nomination papers for the upcoming municipal election is July 27.
Below is a current list of people running for a position on Chatham-Kent council. The names in bold are those who filed their papers this week. Under the council section is an updated list of people running for mayor and those running for a position in local school boards.
Ward 1 – West Kent (Two seats)
- Melissa Harrigan
- Mark Authier (current councillor)
- Bryon Fluker (current councillor)
- Mark Pastorius
- Mary Clare Latimer
- Trevor Thompson (current councillor)
- Frank Vercouteren (current councillor)
- Art Stirling
- Henry Svec
- David VanDamme (current councillor)
- Steve Pinsonneault (current councillor)
- Patricia Sylvain
- Steven Scott
- Joey Cyples
- Dylan Robert McLay
- Carmen McGregor (current councillor)
- Randy McNeil
- Chris Glassford
- Aaron Hall
- Nicolas Cadotte
- Brock McGregor (current councillor)
- Michael Bondy (current councillor)
- Doug Sulman (current councillor)
- Les Banks
- Marjorie Crew
- James Thompson
- Larry Vellinga
- Ryan Jackson
- Chris June
- Kirk Hooker
- Karen Kirkwood-Whyte
- Drew Simpson
As for those running for a position as trustee in local school boards, Derek Robertson, Shannon Sasseville and Ruth Ann Dodman filed their nomination papers this week. Below is a list of residents vying for a trustee position.
Lambton-Kent District School Board
Wards 1-3 (Two seats) - Chris White
Wards 4-5 (One seat) - None
Ward 6 (Two seats) - Derek Robertson, Ruth Ann Dodman and Shannon Sasseville
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
Wards 1-2 (One seat) - Branda Rumble
Ward 3 (One seat) - None
Wards 4-5 (One seat) - Van Heck
Ward 6 (One seat) - David Argenti and John Mrnik
French Separate Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence
Chatham-Kent (Two seats) - Louise Aitken and Robert (Bob) Demers
French Public – Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas (One seat) - Pierre Lambert
Blackburn News will provide weekly stories to keep the community up-to-date on who is running in this fall’s municipal election.