Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

The results of last week’s Nomination Day pre-election process are officially in. And calls among some residents for a radical shift of representation on respective municipal councils within the region has all but fizzled, with the exception of two municipalities – McLennan and the M.D. Of Smoky River. If elections are healthy for a community then McLennan indeed appears to be in great shape! Twelve capable individuals have stepped up to the plate by running for a position on town council, including Don Regier who is challenging incumbent Mayor Michele Fournier. It will no doubt prove to be a very interesting race, one which may very well overshadow the available positions on town council where the 10 remaining candidates are vying for a grand total of six spots, including five incumbents. Seeking re-election for another term is veteran councillor Dwayne Stout along with Robert Bisson, Eckhard Christen, Gary Braithwaite and Catherine Dunne. They are joined in the election race by newcomers Gerry Roth, Rene Dubrule, Sharon Carberry, Darrell Fiddick and Lawrence McNeil. McLennan isn’t the only community heading to the polls Oct. 15. It’s a similar story in the Municipal District of Smoky River 130 where three of six councillor spots are being contested. That includes Division 3 where veteran councillor Donald Dumont is challenged by Garry Skrepnek. Other interesting races heating up include Division 1 where Louis Tokarz is being contested by Donald Gosselin as well as Division 4, which will see incumbent Luc Desaulniers squaring off against Marc Bremont. In by acclamation, meanwhile, are incumbent councillors Richard Aubin (Division 2) and Robert Brochu (Division 5) and Andre Trudeau in Division 6. Two new additions by acclamation highlight the municipal makeup of Falher with Phillippe Dube and Germain Sasseville jumping on board to join incumbents Mayor Margaret Tardif as well as councillors Donna Buchinski, Guy Beaudoin, Stephen Carter, and Victor Fournier. The only change in Girouxville is the addition of Pauline Chouinard, who joins incumbents Carmen Ewing, Raymond Dallair, Roger Maure and Alain Dion. Over in Donnelly there remains a shortfall of nominees to fill the five available positions on council. Incumbents Susan Lafrenniere and Dan Bouchard are in by acclamation as well as newcomer Vance Yaremko. Opting not to run as of last Thursday was Mayor Charly Doyle and councillors Sharon Doucet and Gerry Benoit. Nominations were extended last week in an effort to fill the two vacancies. On a final note I would like to congratulate all respective municipal nominees (and those returning through acclamation) for getting involved in the democratic election process. Deciding to run for municipal council is by no means an easy decision. It takes a great deal of self-confidence, determination, pride, leadership and commitment to be a municipal councillor. Win or lose, each of you involved in the upcoming election deserves our collective respect for standing tall by having the courage to try and make a positive difference in our respective communities. Best of luck to all candidates running in the Oct. 15 election and may the best man, or woman win!

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