A sign outside of a polling station. (File photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)A sign outside of a polling station. (File photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
Windsor

Windsor-Essex school board election slate is set

The nomination period for the upcoming municipal election has come and gone, including those for seats on Windsor-Essex school boards.

Along with local candidates for mayor and council, voters will be asked on October 24 to choose their representatives on the four public school boards serving the region.

Greater Essex County District School Board

Probably the biggest change will be on the area's English-language public board. GECDSB chairperson Alicia Higgison is giving up her seat as the trustee for Tecumseh and Lakeshore to run for the Ward 1 seat on Tecumseh Town Council. Running to take Higgison's place on the public board are Connie Lynn Buckler and Chris Lanman.

Incumbent trustee Linda Qin, who represents Windsor Wards 1, 2, and 9; will seek a second term against challengers Fazle Baki, Maria Fernandes, former board chairperson Kim McKinley, and Malek Mekawi. The other trustee for this area of Windsor, Jessica Sartori, is not running again.

In Windsor Wards 3, 4, and 10; Sarah Cipkar is running for another four-year term. She will be challenged by Sushil Jain, Christie Nelson, and Margaret A. Stanley. The other incumbent, Alan Halberstadt, has not filed to run again.

Cathy Cooke and Gale Simko-Hatfield, the incumbents for Windsor Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8; will seek reelection. Their opponents include Claudette Bernier-Schiller, Genevieve Coritana, AnnMarie Simpson, and Stephanie Slipiec. Another candidate, Mohammad Shiddike, has withdrawn his candidacy.

Ron LeClair, the unsuccessful NDP candidate for Essex MPP in this year's provincial election, wants another four years representing LaSalle and Amherstburg. His opponent is Geri Salinitri.

In Essex and Kingsville, incumbent Julia Burgess hopes voters will retain her. She is facing Sherry Ducedre and David Keller.

Aimee Omstead is looking for a second term as trustee for Leamington and Pelee Island. She is challenged by Nancy Armstrong.

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board 

Over at the English Catholic Board, current chairman Fulvio Valentinis is running for reelection in Windsor Wards 1 and 10. He is facing Sanaa Boales.

There will be a new trustee for Windsor Wards 2 and 9, as incumbent Tony Polifroni is not running again. The two candidates vying to succeed him are Joe Iacono and Shirley-Lyn Watson.

In Windsor Wards 3 and 4, incumbent Bernie Mastromattei wants another term and is running against Rabia Kirma and Eric Renaud, who lost to Mastromattei in 2018.

Fred Alexander, the incumbent for Windsor Wards 5 and 8, is not seeking another four years. Jason Lazarus is acclaimed to take that vacancy.

Also acclaimed to her seat is Windsor Wards 6 and 7 incumbent Kim Bouchard.

In Amherstburg and LaSalle, incumbent Frank Di Tomasso is acclaimed.

In Tecumseh, Mary Heath is trying for another term. Her only opponent is Monica Muscedere.

Lisa Soulliere, the board's vice-chairperson, is running again in Lakeshore. She is being challenged by Cynthia Burk.

For the municipalities of Essex, Kingsville, Leamington, and Pelee Island, incumbent Mary Dimenna will face off against Derek Thachuk.

Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence 

The French-language Catholic board covers a greater area of southern Ontario, meaning fewer trustees are elected from Windsor-Essex.

Jacques Kenny is acclaimed as the trustee for Windsor Wards 1 and 9, Tecumseh Wards 4 and 5, and all of LaSalle.

In Windsor Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10; incumbent Christian Trudeau is not running again. The two candidates wishing to succeed him are Christine Brooks and Stephane Lucky.

Janine Brydges is acclaimed in Windsor Wards 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Another acclaimed trustee is Pauline Marois, who will represent Tecumseh Wards 1, 2, and 3, and Lakeshore Wards 1 and 2 in the new term.

In Lakeshore Wards 3, 4, and 5, incumbent Jean-Francois Gauthier is not seeking another term. His successor will be Paul Lachance, who is unopposed.

Incumbent Doris Sauve has been acclaimed in Lakeshore Ward 6, Leamington, and Pelee Island.

Didier Marotte, incumbent in Essex, Amherstburg, and Kingsville, has also been acclaimed.

Conseil Scolaire Viamonde

The French public board elects only one representative from Windsor-Essex. Incumbent Guillaume Teasdale is not looking at another term.

There are four candidates who have filed to take the seat. They are Serge Dinard, Owen Herold, Badrieh Kojok, and Emmanuelle Richez.

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