Robert McArthur runs in Creemore ward

There were several last minute additions to the roster of municipal election candidates in Clearview Township.
Three candidates who were unopposed as of presstime last week found themselves with a little competition by the filing deadline at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
Robert McArthur filed to run against Creemore-area Ward 5 councillor Thom Paterson.
“I was giving it a lot of thought right to the last minute. I’ve been kind of disappointed by the lack of participation coming forth and I thought I should throw my name in so people have a choice,” said McArthur.
The 51-year-old farmer runs a mixed crop operation of crops and cattle near Cashtown Corners where he has lived his whole life.
McArthur took over the family farm from his parents.
His father Milton McArthur was councillor and reeve of the former Nottawasaga Township.
McArthur said his father’s role in politics did influence his decision to run for council.
“I’d have to say, like father, like son,” he said.
McArthur said local economic development is a key issue in his campaign.
“I have had tremendous support from the community thus far and I am looking forward to representing Creemore,” he said.
Al Bell filed to run against Nottawa-area Ward 1 councillor Doug Measures and Kevin Elwood filed to run against Dunedin-area Ward 2 ballot newcomer Donna Baylis.
There’s a four-way race in the New Lowell-area Ward 7 with Alan Howlett, Steven Cordick and Robyn Gignac going up against incumbent Deborah Bronée.
Gignac announced Monday that she is throwing her support behind Bronée.
“It appears that she and I have a lot of the same goals for our community, with economic growth at the top of the list. We both want to see New Lowell thrive and expand and have many of the same ideas on how to make this happen,” said Gignac in a statement to the media. “It is too late to withdraw my candidacy. Instead, I am choosing to not campaign and to support Deb so that she and I can work together in the future. She is more than familiar with the people in this community and has represented them very well in previous years.”
Christopher Vanderkruys is challenging Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage for the mayor’s seat.
Larry Culham is going up against Barry Burton for the deputy mayor’s seat.
Ward 4 councillor Shawn Davidson and Connie Leishman, running for the first time in Ward 6, have been acclaimed.
In Mulmur Township, Paul Mills is acclaimed as mayor and Heather Hayes is acclaimed as deputy mayor.
Earl Hawkins, Janet Horner, Keith Lowry and Lynn Hilchey are running for three council seats.
In the school board election, Annie Chandler and Donna Lawson are running for English separate school trustee, Guy Belcourt and Eric Lapointe are standing for French public school trustee and Donald Blais and Kyna Sivret are standing for French separate school trustee.
Shawn Cooper is acclaimed as English separate school trustee.