Unlike last contest, incumbents have challengers this fall

By JENNIFER BURDEN THE Orillia PACKET & TIMES September 16 2010
Election candidates in Severn Township are facing some competition this year compared to 2006, when all but one member of council was acclaimed.
Incumbent Phil Sled is up against three others for the position of mayor. Colin Bidmead, Mike Burkett and Ward 5 Coun. Frank Coyle are after the top job as well. The deputy mayor’s chair will be filled by one of two candidates; incumbent Judith Cox or Fran O’Meara.
Ward 3 also has two candidates battling for a seat on council. Incumbent Ian Crichton is facing off against Ken Forbes.
Three candidates are vying for the Ward 4 seat. Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens is challenging incumbent Karen Marriott, the only person to be challenged in 2006, for the position, along with newcomer Lucas Kitchen.
Five candidates are hoping to fill the Ward 5 slot left vacant by Coyle, who is risking his seat running for mayor.
Kay Bonsu, Ellen Cohen, Rob Ferguson, Stan Hope-Smith and Brian Humphrey, who lost to Marriott in Ward 4 in 2006, have all entered the race.
Jane Dunlop, wife of Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop, was acclaimed as Ward 2 councillor, along with Mark Taylor acclaimed as Ward 1 councillor.
The only incumbent not seeking re-election is Ward 2 Coun. Douglas Beach.
For Severn trustee of the Simcoe County District School Board, incumbent Jodi Lloyd is up against Richard Weese.
Vying for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board are two newcomers, Lydia Reekie and Francis Smith.
Running for trustee of the French-language public district school board are Guy Belcourt and Eric Lapointe. Running for the French-language separate district school board are Cindy Labas, Luc Gagnon and Adrien Lamoureux.
In 2006, only 10.06% (1,351) of the eligible 13,430 voters went to the polls because six of the seven candidates were acclaimed. The 2010 municipal election will take place Oct. 25.