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Nominations close for upcoming Clearwater, Barriere elections

Two candidates are expected to run for mayor in Clearwater
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By Keith McNeill

Clearwater Times

We’re going to have several elections for local government in the North Thompson Valley, although who exactly will run has yet to be officially finalized.

Nominations closed as of 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 and, according to the District of Clearwater website, two people filed nomination papers to run for mayor by the deadline and 16 filed to run for the six councillor positions.

Challenging Merlin Blackwell to be mayor of Clearwater is Dean C.D. Clifford.

The list of those who filed papers to be town councillors includes Barry Banford, Theresa Braaten, Suzanne Emerson, Lynne Frizzle, Candus Graffunder, Tom Grimm, Bill Haring, Carly Star Lepoidvin, Lyle Mackenzie, Ken Matheson, Harry Minci, Lorelei Rogers, Ron Rotzetter, Shelley Sim and Jessica Toscano.

Please note that the list of those running is still unofficial and subject to change. The mayor and councillors will be elected to four year terms.

Incumbent members of Clearwater council are mayor Merlin Blackwell and councillors Barry Banford, Lynne Frizzle, Bill Haring, Lyle Mackenzie, Shelley Sim and Luci Taylor.

Incumbent mayor Ward Stamer was the only person to file nomination papers to be the mayor of district of Barriere.

Nominated candidates for Barriere town council are Judy Armstrong, Marguerite Dodds, Alan Fortin, Scott Kershaw, Rob Kerslake, Donna Kibble, Louise Lodge, Lance Naylor, Colin McInnis, Michelle Rutschke, Amanda Sabyan, Debbie Sherman and Robert Veitch.

The incumbent Barriere town councillors are Judy Armstrong, Al Fortin, Scott Kershaw, Rob Kerslake, Donna Kibble and Amanda Sabyan.

In the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, incumbent Carol Schaeffer is being challenged by Usuff Tsao to be director for Area A (Wells Gray Country).

Lee Onslow was the only person to file nomination papers for Area B (Thompson Headwaters). Steve Quinn is the present Area B director.

For the director’s position for Area O (Lower North Thompson), Jill Hayward was the only person to file nomination papers. Bill Kershaw is the incumbent Area O director.

Shelley Sim was the only person to file nomination papers to be school trustee for Area 2 (North Thompson) while Rhonda Kershaw was the same for Area 3 (Barriere-Little Fort). The two are the incumbent trustees for those two areas.

The official campaign period will begin Sept. 17

Advance voting opportunities will be on Oct. 1 and Oct. 5, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General local election day for mayors, councillors, regional district directors and school trustees will be on Saturday, Oct. 15. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Read the Clearwater Times and the Barriere Star/Journal during the next few weeks for candidate profiles and more information about the elections.



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