With less than four weeks to go until the deadline to file nomination papers for this fall's municipal elections, the roster of candidates might appear sparse but that is expected to change dramatically as Aug. 19 approaches.
Nominations opened on May 1 and election day is still just under three months away, on October 24, but candidate nominations must be received at the City Clerk's office by 2 p.m. on Aug. 19.
See more of BayToday's continuing coverage of the municipal elections.
Peter Chirico, a former deputy mayor, was the first to declare his intention to seek the mayor's chair, followed soon after by Johanne Brousseau, a sitting city councillor who had a strong showing in 2018.
Jason Maclennan announced his candidacy for mayor but did not file his papers and tells BayToday he will not run after all, due to family commitments.
See our BayToday poll from late June: If the North Bay municipal election was held tomorrow, who would get your vote?
In the North Bay City Council race, with 10 seats to be filled, only three have officially entered the race. Jamie Lowery was the first out of the gate, and Ed Valenti, an incumbent city councillor also filed his paperwork early on.
Newcomer Darryl Skinner (see photo in gallery) has also officially announced his candidacy for council. Skinner works in retail management and feels his experience with budgeting and expense control will serve him well if elected. Skinner served on the City of Dryden's council prior to moving to North Bay with his family for work. Skinner supports local businesses — especially the downtown — and tells BayToday that addressing social issues such as the lack of affordable housing and the increase in homelessness are priorities.
Several council incumbents confirmed earlier this year they intend to run but have not yet made it official while others preferred to take the summer to ponder their futures in politics as the deadline approaches.
See also: Fall municipal election will have online voting option
And: Unvaccinated candidates could face dilemma if elected
The Near North District School Board has three confirmed trustee candidates to date: Jay Aspin, Louise Sargent and Bill Steer.
Nicole Fournier is the sole candidate for school trustee for the Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord.
There are two candidates for the Nipissing Parry Sound District Catholic School Board trustee seats in Shawn Fitzsimmons and Frank O'Hagan.
As of Tuesday, July 26, no one has filed to run in the Conseil scolaire public du Nort-Est de l'Ontario election.
Thinking of putting your name forward for the October 24 municipal elections? Here are the candidate qualifications and disqualifications for a run for mayor, city councillor or school board trustee.
