Deadline passes for local election candidates: plot thickens as trio run for Nelson Mayor's chair
By Nelson Daily Staff
Maybe it’s the new four-year term, or just a sudden interest in municipal politics.
Whatever the reason the 2014 municipal elections promise to be very interesting as a host of candidates filed nomination papers by Friday’s closing period.
In Nelson, the mayor’s race will be a battle as two challengers — current councilor Deb Kozak, and retired police sergeant Pat Severyn — have lined up to unseat incumbent John Dooley from chambers at 310 Ward Street.
In the councilor race, a total of 10 challengers have filed papers by the deadline, along with incumbents are Bob Adams and Robin Cherbo, for the six seats.
Michael Dailly, Charles Jeanes, John Paolozzi, Jason Peil, Anna Purcell, Brian Shields, and Valerie Warmington are joined by former councillor Janice Morrison, Justin Pelant and Jeff Shecter.
Outside Nelson in the Regional District of Central Kootenay, there will be a new director for Area F after Ron Mickel decided not to run again.
Vying for the seat are former Nelson and District Teachers’ Association president Tom Newell and Kevin LePape.
In Area E, incumbent Ramona Faust is getting a push from Rick Marken while longtime director and former chair Hans Cunningham will face off again against Werner Kraus in Area G (Salmo).
In 2011 Cunningham defeated Kraus.
Rounding out the RDCK, Garry Jackman, in Area A (East Shore) and Larry Binks in Area C (Rural Creston) are both is getting free passes, while Tanya Wall and Jared LeBlanc battle it out to replace former chair John Kettle in Area B (Creston).
In Area D (Kaslo), Donna Cormie and Aimee Watson are in the running to replace retired Andy Shadrack.
In Area H (Slocan Valley) and Area I (rural Castlegar), Walter Popoff and Andy Davidoff, respectively, will be acclaimed as no one decided to run against them.
In Area J (Lower Arrow-Columbia), Rick Smith and Gordon Zaitsoff have squared off while Deborah McAulay and Paul Peterson are running in Area K (Arrow Lakes).
School Board candidates for Nelson has Bob Abrahams, Curtis Bendig and Bill Maslechko in the running for the Heritage City seats.
Current trustee Bob Wright decided not to run again in Nelson, but has been acclaimed as the new trustee for Salmo, Taghum & Blewett.
Wright is unopposed.
The election is set for Saturday, November 15, 2014.
