The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

a A aN. BL a on "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, October 11 - 3 Interest beginning to mount as election nears Unless things change drastically over the next two days, the 2000 municipal election will have a decidedly different look compared when Scugog residents went to the poll in 1997: Few choices. With interest in municipal politics seemingly at an all-time low, area resi- dents won't have many decisions to make next month when they go to cast their vote on Nov. 13, In fact, as it stood Tuesday afternoon, there were only 11 candidates running for nine positions. That pales in comparison to three years ago, when a total of 24 peo- ple ran for the nine seats. It appears that the only challenges of great interest will be for the mayor's chair and the regional councillor's seat. Incumbent mayor Doug Moffatt will attempt to hold off a challenge by Howard Hall, who held the role for nine years prior to his defeat in the last election. And, with regional councillor Ken Gadsden announcing his retirement from politics, his spot is up for grabs between current Ward 2 councillor Ken Carruthers and Bobbie Drew, who's held the public school trustees' seat in Scugog for the past 12 years. In Ward 2, former Scugog regional councillor Marilyn Pearce announced Tuesday she would run against newcomer Donald Kerr, (see separate story). Aside from these three races, there's been little interest in municipal politics. With the recent serious illness of incumbent Ward | councillor Keith Bacon, who unofficially dropped out of the race late last week, Harold Westerman is left as the lone candidate. ) Incumbent Dave Dietlein (Ward 4), and newcomer Charlie Norris (Ward 5) were still the only candidates in their respec- tive wards, as of press time Tuesday. On Scugog Island, incumbent Ward 3 councillor Jim McMillen will be chal- lenged by Jeff Bfown. And, so far, nobody has filed for either the public or separate school's trustees positions. Three years ago, the municipal elec- tion race was a much different story. Doug Moffatt, Howard Hall and John Wolters each made a pitch for the mayor's chair, while Ken Gadsden, Colin Kemp, Don Kett and Glenn Malcolm each vied for the regional councillor's seat. In Ward 1, Keith Bacon held off chal- lenges from Dave Robinson, Barry Johnston, and Allen Bailey, and in Ward 2 Ken Carruthers defeated Richard Drew. Jeff Brown, Wendy Davis, and Nick Palladino were defeated by Jim McMillen in Ward 3 and David Dietlein took the Ward 4 seat from Joyce Kelly. Gary Mahoney defeated Frank Twilt in the Ward 5 race. In the public school trustee contest, veteran Bobbie Drew defeated Martin Demmers, and Kathy LeFort was acclaimed - for the separate school trustee's seat. Marilyn Pearce enters the race Marilyn Pearce will be looking to bring some vet- eran leadership to the Scugog Council table later this year after the final bal- lots are cast in the upcom- ing municipal election. After retiring from local politics in 1997 after a three-year term as Regional Councillor, Mrs. Pearce, 52, announced yesterday she would seek the Ward 2 seat in the Nov. 13 election, a position she previgusly,,, held from 1988-1994. ~~ :.- "It was a long, hard bas sion and | was certainly torn about coming back or stay- ing in retirement," said Mrs. Pearce yesterday afternoon. "But I've looked at what's going on and realized how important this election is. I've lived in this community for 15 years, I've served in a variety of roles, and | can bring a lot of experience to the table... I'm not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for what's best for the community." Whatever happens with the looming amalgamation issue, Mrs. Pearce stresses "it's important we keep the same level of service. I'm a firm believer that people need a quality of life and level of services that they're happy with." MARILYN P PEARCE She also notes that the crop of nominees for the various council positions may be a little thin on local experience. "The other candidates may have experience in other walks of life, but they don't have experience in municipal politics in Scugog, and that's some- thing | can bring to the table. I've been there and know the history of this council; what's happened and why. I can hit the road running," said Mrs. Pearce. "I want to give people a choice, that's why we live in a democracy, so I've thrown my hat into the ring." As of yesterday, Donald Kerr was the only other challenger for the Ward 2 seat. Heart attack forces Bacon to withdraw from election Incumbent Ward | councillor Keith Bacon suffered a heart attack last week and will withdraw from the upcoming municipal election. Mr. Bacon, who is just wrapping up his first term on Scugog council, suffered the heart attack last Wednesday (Oct. 4). "His family has let us know his condition, and that he will be with- drawing from the election," said Scugog Clerk Kim Coates. He has until Oct. 16 to formally announce his withdrawal. Mr. Bacon, 62, is currently resting in Markham- KEITH BACON Stouffville hospital. As of yesterday, Harold Westerman was the only other candidate in the running for the Ward | seat. "oe By Shop OL for the wy selection of sizes, styles and colours for the entire family! WOMEN'S MEN'S * County Clothing * Weatherman '* Brooks bg ce Utex * Ripzone * Ripzone ¢ Point Zero * Princess PREC KS TT AUTRE LY " Chaps Ralph Lauren, ¥ $58 SAVE EVERYDAY WITH YOUR BROCK'S GOLD CA KIDS Choose from 3 in 1 1 i jackets, 3/4 length coats, ski pants, vests, faux furs & nore] INFANTS i. oO h Kosh ~~ ¢ Osh Kosh e Gusti * Magi e Heidi e Classic Pooh BR@C KS | 168 - 1/78 Queen Street, 005-985 et La EU i i Si i i i Ri i i i i a MC A i i i Cl a i i i Se i A Ri dont Perm