The official list of certified candidates for Stratford's civic election is finalized as the nomination period for October's municipal elections has passed.
The city will have a new mayor for the first time in nearly two decades after the votes are counted on Oct. 24. Dan Mathieson elected not to run again. Two current city councillors - Martin Ritsma and Kathy Vassilakos - are seeking the mayor's chair, along with architect Robert Ritz.
There are no fewer than 29 candidates seeking one of 10 councillor positions. Five incumbents are running again: Brad Beatty, Jo-Dee Burbach, Dave Gaffney, Bonnie Henderson and Cody Sebben. Current city councillors Graham Bunting, Tom Clifford and Danielle Ingram are not seeking re-election.
City council candidates are, in alphabetical order: Brad Beatty, Lesley Biehn, Taylor Briscoe, Jo-Dee Burbach, Lisa Cloutier, Pascal D'Astous, Jason Davis, Ryan Doyle, Tom Drake, Tim Forster, Dave Gaffney, Bonnie Henderson, Mark Hunter, Alan Kasperski, Geoff Krauter, Kevin Kruchkywich, John Lewis, Larry McCabe, James Montgomery, Ian Morton, Daniel Nedecki, Harj Nijjar, Jobyna Powath, Don Robinson, Rob Russell, Cody Sebben, Robb Williamson, Ken Wood, Geza Wordofa.
In St. Marys, Al Strathdee, the current mayor, was acclaimed after no other challengers stepped forward. Nine residents are seeking one of six town council spots: Brogan Aylward, Barry Brebner, Jim Craigmile, Robert Edney, Lori Heinbuch, Mark Horner, Dave Lucas, Marg Luna and Fern Pridham.
Edney, Craigmile, Luna and Pridham are current members of St. Marys town council.
In Perth South, Jim Aitcheson has been acclaimed as mayor. Running for one of six councillor spots are Mark Bell, Sam Corriveau, Dennis Manarey, Jaime Martin, Susanna Orr, Adrienne Tuling, Jim Van Nes and Robert Wilhelm.
In West Perth, Douglas Neil Eidt and Walter McKenzie are running for mayor. Cheri Bell and W. Dean Trentowsky are running for deputy mayor. Seeking council spots in Mitchell Ward: Doug Feltz, Joe Klumper, Mike Nelson, Phillip O’Donnell and Murray Rose. Seeking council spots in Fullarton Ward: Alex Foster, Jeffrey French, Steven Herold and Kevin Maschke. Several candidates were acclaimed, including Nicholas Vink, Hibbert Ward, Andrew A. Fournier, Hibbert Ward, Diane Chessell, Logan Ward and Ryan Duck, Logan Ward.
In North Perth, Julian George and Todd Kasenberg are running for mayor. Colin Burrowes and Doug Kellum are running for deputy mayor. Matt Duncan, Dave Johnston, David Luddington, Jamie Pynn and Allan Rothwell are running for councillor in Elma Ward. In Listowel ward, candidates are: Neil Anstett, Sarah Blazek, Grace Harper, Matt Richardson, Yasmin Vanos and Darrell Weber. Candidates running in Wallace Ward include Lee Anne Andriessen, Paul Horn and Marc Noordam.
