Police board chief jumps into Barrie council race

By Laurie Watt Barrie Advance

Barrie Police Services Board chairperson Doug Jure is the latest to throw his name into the ring for a council seat.

He rounds out the competition for the Ward 10 seat, expecting to be vacated by two-termer Coun. Alex Nuttall, to three. Mike McCann was among the first to register to run, as he did so on Jan. 3, the second day Barrie was accepting paperwork from candidates for the Oct. 27 election. Also running in that south-east ward is Chris Forde.

Jure said he has an advantage as he has gained not only insight on crime and public safety, but he has had responsibility for the $46-million police budget, which is almost a quarter of the city’s annual operating spending.

“During my term as chair, Barrie has seen a significant reduction in crime while still keeping policing costs down. As we continue to grow in the ward and city, budget management will be crucial,” he said.

Since 2008, reported crimes have dropped from almost 10,000 per year to 7,200, city statistics confirmed.

The mayoralty race also has three contenders with incumbent Jeff Lehman facing Ram Faerber and Zachary Gillespie-Rogers.

In Ward 1, incumbent Bonnie Ainsworth seeks to keep her seat. She was the first out of the gate in the city, filing her intent at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 2, a mere eight minutes after the city clerk’s office began accepting candidate paperwork.

Ward 2’s Lynn Strachan is seeking her fourth term as councillor and second term in the downtown ward. She’s going up against Austin Tyler Genge.

Ward 3’s Doug Shipley would like another term.

Long-time Simcoe County District School Board trustee Caroline Smith is the only candidate registered to run in Ward 4, while next door in Ward 5, incumbent Peter Silveira faces two contenders: Harry Ahmed and Yvonne Heath.

Crossing into the south in Ward 6, veteran Coun. Michael Prowse is seeking another term, as is his neighbouring ward rep, Coun. John Brassard in Ward 7.

No one is registered to run in Ward 8 as yet.

Ward 9 Coun. Brian Jackson — a former Innisfil mayor whose property was annexed in 2010 — is looking for another term. He faces Jason MacLellan and Neil Geisendorf.

Candidates must register by 2 p.m. Sept. 11.