Ballots are set for this year's municipal elections, with several candidates in the running - except in one local community.
The Municipality of Wawa's list of certified candidates shows two for mayor - incumbent Melanie Pilon, who's seeking a second term, and Sportsman Motel owner Ray Vaillant - and nine people vying for four councillor positions: incumbents Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield, who are seeking their second and third terms, respectively; plus Colton Liddle, Shah Mohamed, Jason North, Ron Ouellette, Eric Paquette, Brandon Smit, and James Stewart.
For local school board trustee positions, Susan Johnson was acclaimed as English Public trustee and Carol McEachern as English Separate.
The Township of Chapleau's certified three candidates for mayor - incumbent Ryan Bignucolo, who's seeking a second term, current councillor Alex Lambruschini, and David McDonald - with seven running for four councillor positions: incumbents Catherine Ansara, Lisi Bernier, and Paul Bernier, and Michael Houle, Gretchen Larabee, Monique O'Hearn, and Pamela O'Hearn Morin.
Luc Tessier was acclaimed as French Separate School Board trustee, a role he's held several years.
Residents of the Township of Dubreuilville won't need to cast ballots, as it saw the bare minimum number of candidates, with Beverly Nantel acclaimed for a third term as mayor - she was acclaimed both prior times, as well - while Laurent Blais, Lany Champagne Tremblay, Caitlin Chicoine, and Laurianne Lavoie were acclaimed as councillors - an entirely new group - with retired teacher Léo Raymond acclaimed as French Public School Board trustee - representing a wide area, including Wawa, Chapleau, and White River, as well - while Roger Lemoyne was acclaimed as French Separate board trustee for Dubreuilville and Hornepayne, a role he's held more than 20 years.
The Township of White River has two candidates for mayor - incumbent Tara Anderson Hart, seeking a second term, and former mayor Angelo Bazzoni - and ten for four council seats: incumbents Dwijen Bharad, Rob Sedore, and Rodney Swarek, plus Michael Bananish, Keith Belisle, Marianne Gagnon, Ted Greenwood, Lori Guinchard, Mark Hubbard, and Calvin Orok.
While the official date for municipal and school board elections across Ontario is October 26th, Wawa and Chapleau have both opted for phone and internet voting, which would see ballots cast over a longer period, ending on election day - details are pending.