This Saturday, Oct. 13, is the kickoff for 10 days of online voting for the municipal election.
First, ensure you are on the municipal voters list for the Oct. 22 election: if you haven't received your voter instruction letter by now, you're not on the list. Quickly visit newmarket.ca/vote and click on the voters' list tab or call 905-953-5121.
Next, do your homework on the candidates so you can make an educated vote. You have four precious votes to cast: for mayor, regional councillor and deputy mayor, ward councillor and school trustee.
Visit NewmarketToday's election section, newmarkettoday.ca/newmarketvotes, and you'll be able to determine who is running for the positions, for how much salary, and in which ward you reside. You'll find articles on the issues, as well as coverage of the debates and public sessions with the mayor and regional councillor candidates.
We've included quick links to everything you need to know about the election, including when and how — it's by telephone and online only this year.
You can also compare the candidates' responses to NewmarketToday's questionnaire. In their own words, they have:
- outlined their backgrounds and why they are the best candidate for the job;
- identified the top four qualities required to be an effective municipal representative;
- identified the two most important issues for their constituents and the top issue for council/school board;
- outlined how they will be accountable to you;
- shared their dream project that would better the quality of life in Newmarket — there are some great answers.
Also, we asked them to answer yes or no only to the following key questions on the issues — you'll find the answers revealing:
- Should salaries be reduced for the mayor and councillors?
- Are taxes too high for the services provided to residents?
- Do you support tax increases to pay for the purchase of properties, such as Mulock Estates?
- Should opening a second branch of Newmarket Public Library be a top priority for the next term?
- Should the town continue to give incentives and loans to Main Street businesses as part of its revitalization strategy?
- Should the town provide additional incentives to developers to encourage more affordable rental units?
- Should councillors be required to provide more fully itemized and detailed expense reports, accessible online at no cost to the public?
- Should the mayor and councillors block followers on their town social media accounts?
- Should there be fixed terms for councillors?
To date, the candidates who met our challenge of filling out the questionnaire to help you do your homework are:
- Mayor: John Taylor, Joe Wamback
- Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor: Chris Emanuel, Joan Stonehocker, Tom Vegh
- Ward 1: Naqi Ahsan, Grace Simon
- Ward 2: Bill Kukulewich
- Ward 3: Jack Zangari
- Ward 4: Trevor Morrison, Melissa Williams
- Ward 5: Rob Eibel
- Ward 6: Kelly Broome (acclaimed)
- Ward 7: Christina Bisanz (acclaimed)
- Public school board: Kristine Carbis, Linda Gilbert, Martin Van Beek, Bessie Vlasis
- Catholic school board: Shawn Gaudet, Theresa McNicol
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde: Francois Guerin
Your comments are always welcome on NewmarketToday.ca if you want to get the discussion going about the issues and the candidates. Or send a letter to the editor to [email protected]
