The race is on to be Aurora’s next mayor and one of six ward councillors.
Town Hall was a flurry of activity last Friday as residents stepped up to put themselves forward for public office on the last day to register.
As a result, all incumbent council members will be challenged by new and returning candidates, while it’s a three-way race for Aurora’s top job of mayor.
Mayoral candidates include local business owner and Aurora Black Community Association founder Phiona Durrant, who filed her nomination papers on July 21, incumbent Tom Mrakas, who is seeking a second term after filing his papers on Aug. 9, and local blogger and community advocate Anna Lozyk Romeo, who signed up Friday with just hours to spare.
In Ward 1, incumbent Sandra Humfryes is facing challenges from Nick Biase and Sport Aurora’s Ron Weese.
In Ward 2, incumbent Rachel Gilliland is being challenged by residents Alison Connolly, Marco Di Girolmo, and Daniel Lajeunesse, who also stood for election in 2018.
Aurora’s longest-serving incumbent, Wendy Gaertner, is seeking re-election in Ward 3 where she is being challenged by Alexandra Bonham, Owen Heritage, and Harold MacDonald.
It’s a three-way race in Ward 4 where incumbent Michael Thompson is seeking a fourth council term in a field that includes former Ontario New Blue candidate Iwona Czarnecka (who was previously registered to run in Ward 5 before switching to Ward 4 late last week) and Carson Day.
It’s a crowded field in Ward 5 where incumbent John Gallo is seeking re-election in a field that includes two-time Council candidate Ian Clark, Steve Fleck, Mae Khamissa, and Robert Lounds.
Ward 6 will see incumbent Harold Kim challenged by Robert James Fraser and Greg Smith.
On the education front, six candidates have stepped up to represent Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville at the York Region District School Board. Candidates include Luther C. Brown, Bridget Kilgallon, Asim Sayed, Mary Sled-Lucas, Elizabeth Terrell, and Melanie Wright. Incumbent Bob McRoberts, currently Trustee for Aurora-King, did not seek re-election.
A much smaller field is seeking the Aurora, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville trustee position at the York Catholic District School Board. They include incumbent Elizabeth Crowe and Al Itwar.
Trustee candidates for Conseil scolaire Viamond are Nicolas Bigaignon, Stefania Sigurdson Fobes, and Hanane Jaouich.
Donald Blais has been acclaimed as trustee for Conseil scolaire catholic Mon Avenir.
Election day is Monday, Oct. 24.
For more information on this year’s municipal election, and to find your ward, visit aurora.ca/en/your-government/elections.aspx.
Brock Weir is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at The Auroran
