Race is on: Beelen runs for deputy mayor

Nominations for the upcoming municipal election opened May 1.

Current Clearview Township Ward 5 councillor Marty Beelen is the first to announce his intention to run for deputy mayor in this October’s municipal election.

Beelen is a long time resident of the New Lowell area. Beelen has a degree in chemical engineering from University of Waterloo. He is retired, has been married 38 years and has two children and four grandchildren.

During his first term on council, he served on the board of directors for Brentwood Hall, Creemore Station on the Green, and the Huronia West OPP Detachment.

He said he is proud of the fact that the current council managed to keep tax increases low, and especially proud of his role in getting a four-way stop at County Road 9 and Centre Line Road. His priority for the upcoming term will be to see the water servicing project completed on time and on budget.

“I think to be an effective deputy mayor we need someone familiar with what’s going on both in the township and at the county,” said Beelen.

Incumbent Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren says he has not yet decided whether to seek another term, pending discussions with his family.

Others who have declared their intention to run this fall are Melanie Walters and Robert Thomas vying to become councillor in Ward 5 and Ken Walker, seeking a council seat in Ward 4.

Incumbent public school trustee Brandy Rafeek, current chair of the Simcoe County District School Board, will seek reelection and Eric Lapointe will run for a seat on the French Public School Board.