With the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 24, Blind River is introducing different ways residents can use to cast their ballots.
Deputy Clerk Pam Walsh provided the additional information that will also allow online and telephone voting.
“The voting period for Blind River will be from 9 a.m. on Oct. 11 to close of polls at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24,” she said in an email. “Residents are encouraged to attend Town Hall during regular office hours if they require assistance to vote. Alternatively, the Town is offering Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as an early voting option at Town Hall. Voter's requiring assistance are to bring their voter information letter with them.”
“Blind River will only have an election for two school boards, the Mayor was acclaimed, and we have five of the required six Councillor vacancies acclaimed as well with no additional nominations received in an earlier extension of the nomination deadline.”
Mayor Sally Hagman was acclaimed for a second term, joined by repeat councillors acclaimed for the upcoming term Jim Dunbar, Jennifer Posteraro, Betty Ann Dunbar and Paula Summers, while newcomer Joe Connell is a newly acclaimed council member, leaving one seat open to fill.
Regarding the appointment of the vacant seat, once the new council is sworn in on Dec. 1, they will declare the (sixth) seat vacant and follow the vacancy by having the CAO (Katie Scott) prepare a communication seeking applications from interested individuals. Anyone who wishes to be considered will formally submit the Council Vacancy Application Form and a Council Vacancy Declaration of Qualification Form. Council will then host all the applicants at a meeting to select a candidate for the seat.
The two school boards have candidates and will see Amber Brown go off against Debbie Shamas for the one trustee seat on the English Public School Board.
On the English Separate Catholic School Board, three candidates, Lindsay Liske, Kathleen Rosilius and Reginald Simon, have put their names forward for the two trustee seats.
Blind River will not be hiring additional staff for this year’s election.