‘Focus on affordability,’ locals head to the polls in Central Elgin
Advanced polls opened on Oct 1. to locals looking to get their vote in early and skip the long lines.
Residents of Central Elgin will have more options in this municipal election with the choice of four mayoral candidates.
The current mayoral candidates include Dennis Crevits, Tom Marks, Casey Siebenmorgen and Andrew Sloan.
Tom Marks, the current deputy mayor told CTV News that he feels optimistic after engaging in a meet and greet Saturday morning which included other candidates.
“We had some good interactions today,” he said.
Marks’ message to voters is that he is always available to answer questions and to hear their concerns.
“I think what we hear the most is they want to see us and for us to answer questions,” said Marks. “Always concerned about high water rates, tax rates, etc. and they’re looking for solutions,”
Todd Noble, who is running as a candidate for deputy mayor expressed similar concerns that he’s heard from residents.
“I think at the end of the day the biggest thing that Central Elgin needs is cooperation, they need to build a better community,” he said.
Andrew Sloan said his priorities in this election are for change and to focus on affordability.
“It’s time for us to look at the budget and doing more with less,” said Sloan, a mayoral candidate for CE.
“We have tremendous challenges with the economy right now and going forward I don't think we can continue on the same path.”
Some candidates themselves arrived early to the polls on Saturday afternoon, eager to get in their vote in.
“It’s a nice day, we thought why not get out and vote,” said David Baughman, a candidate for Ward 5. “We wanted to skip the long line.”
“The expense of living today is getting higher and higher and it’s up to us as council, as a new council coming in to maximize the tax dollars spent and reduce the impact on the rate payers as we move forward” said rob McFarlan, a candidate for Ward 5.
There are 22 municipal candidates competing to become mayor, deputy mayor or a counselor in Central Elgin.
Ward 2 will be a race between the current mayor Sally Martyn and ward 3 incumbent councilor Karen Cook, Morgaine Halpin and Sherlock Reid.
Bill Sporbeck will competing with Baughman and McFarlan for a seat in Ward 5.
While running for deputy mayor, Noble is currently up against Bill Harrington and Colleen Row.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in "all public spaces," marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.